How Much Is a Kidney Worth?
A kidney’s value is medical and lifesaving, not monetary. What "worth" actually means, and why there is no legal price.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
A kidney is not a consumer product, and legitimate medical programmes do not price organs for sale. Its real value is to the person who needs it — years of life and restored health — not a cash figure.
Organs are not interchangeable goods, and commercial dealing in them is a criminal offence under THOTA. Any "valuation" of a kidney for sale is a description of trafficking, not of medical care.
The value that is legal to discuss
What is lawful is reimbursement of a donor’s documented medical expenses and genuine loss of earnings during recovery. That is handled through the hospital, never privately between families.
Frequently asked questions
Can a kidney be legally valued?
No. There is no legal price or valuation for an organ in India.