What Happens If I Sell My Kidney?
The legal, health and financial consequences of selling a kidney — none of them worth it.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
Selling a kidney exposes you to criminal prosecution, unsafe surgery, and a very high chance of being cheated out of the promised money.
It is illegal in India
You would be committing a criminal offence under THOTA, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 crore.
Health and financial reality
Illegal surgery is often performed in unsafe conditions with no follow-up care, and the promised payment is frequently never made. You would lose a kidney and likely gain nothing.
The alternative
Lawful donation to a loved one, or lawful financial and social support, are the safe paths.
Frequently asked questions
Do people actually get paid for selling a kidney?
Usually not — most are cheated, and all are committing a crime.