Can You Buy a Kidney in India?
No — buying a kidney is a criminal offence. What the law says and how a transplant is actually arranged.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
No. Buying a kidney in India is a criminal offence. Legitimate transplant programmes arrange donation through lawful, voluntary channels — never through purchase.
It is illegal in India
Purchasing an organ is prohibited under THOTA, with penalties applying to the buyer as well as the seller and any intermediary.
How a transplant is actually arranged
A transplant is arranged through a registered transplant centre, via a compatible living donor or the deceased-donor waiting list. There is no lawful purchase at any step.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a legal market for kidneys?
No. There is no legal market for organs in India.