Ahmedabad sees rise in DNA tests amid growing distrust among couples

Questions over biological parentage—once the stuff of television dramas—are increasingly surfacing in real life in Ahmedabad, where around 550 DNA tests are conducted each year. The trend reflects rising suspicion within relationships and a growing reliance on genetic testing to establish paternity, according to local laboratories and officials.

Shift from medical to ‘peace of mind’ testing

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing, once largely limited to medical use, is now increasingly sought for what experts describe as “peace of mind” checks. In many cases, husbands who suspect their partners opt for testing to confirm whether they are the biological father of a child.

The trend marks a shift from clinical necessity to personal verification, with private laboratories reporting a steady demand for such tests in recent years.

Health concerns and legal disputes drive demand

Doubts around parentage often arise when a child is diagnosed with conditions such as thalassemia or Down syndrome, or presents with physical or developmental abnormalities.

DNA tests are also being used more frequently in divorce proceedings, particularly in disputes related to child support and custody. These cases are most commonly reported among couples aged 30 to 40, with children typically between four and 10 years old.

Private labs handle majority of cases

Private genetic laboratories in the city conduct around 350 paternity-related DNA tests each year. Experts indicate that in 60–70% of these cases, the individual raising suspicion is confirmed to be the biological father. In the remaining 30–40%, tests reveal a different biological parentage.

Government laboratories handle an additional 200 disputed cases annually, taking the total number of such tests in the city to around 550 each year.

High costs limit wider access

The cost of testing remains a significant barrier. A DNA test for one individual typically ranges between ₹12,000 and ₹15,000, with combined testing for father and child costing ₹25,000 to ₹30,000.

In more complex cases involving surrogacy or IVF (in vitro fertilisation), where testing of both parents and the child may be required, expenses can rise to ₹45,000–₹50,000. Experts note that the number of tests could be higher if costs were more affordable.

Cases cut across social groups

Officials and laboratories say the trend is not limited to urban or affluent populations. Individuals from rural areas, labour backgrounds, and even other states travel to Ahmedabad for such tests.

Amid these disputes, children are often at the centre of conflict, with cases extending into legal and familial tensions.

IVF and surrogacy concerns also surface

In some instances involving IVF, couples have raised concerns about possible errors or malpractice by clinics, including suspicions that embryos may have been created using genetic material from third parties. Similar doubts have been reported in surrogacy arrangements.

However, experts state that in around 90% of such cases, testing confirms that the intended parents are indeed the biological parents.