Embryo Genetic Testing in IVF 2026: PGT-A, PGT-M & Preimplantation Genetic Testing in India

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) in India costs ₹50,000–₹1,50,000 ($600–$1,800; NGN 880,000–2,640,000; AUD 925–2,775; £475–£1,430) per batch of embryos. It uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) — the same technology used at leading centres in Australia and the UK. A combined IVF + PGT-A cycle in India costs ₹3,50,000–₹5,50,000. This compares with AUD 12,000–22,000 in Australia and £8,000–£16,000 in the UK.

This guide covers what PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR are and how they differ from the older PGD and PGS terms. It explains who they benefit and how the testing process works. Costs by country are included with NGN and AUD figures. The guide also explains how Divinheal connects Nigerian, Australian, and UK patients to accredited partner hospitals in India.

What Is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)? PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR Explained

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) covers all genetic analysis of IVF embryos before they are transferred to the uterus. It lets doctors select the embryos most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy. This avoids transferring embryos with chromosomal abnormalities or inherited conditions.

PGD, PGS, PGT: What’s the Difference and Why the Name Changed

If you have been researching embryo genetic testing for a few years, you may have seen three different acronym sets. Here is what they mean and how they relate:

•           PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) — the original term, used broadly for genetic testing of embryos. It is still widely used in everyday conversation, particularly in Nigeria, the UK, and Australia.

•           PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) — the term previously used for chromosomal screening (now called PGT-A). It sometimes confuses searchers because PGS has unrelated meanings in other contexts.

•           PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) — the current international standard term, adopted by ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine), ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology), and ICMR. PGT is divided into three subtypes: PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR.

In short: what was called PGS is now PGT-A. What was called PGD for specific diseases is now PGT-M. The science is the same — only the naming has been standardised. At Divinheal partner hospitals, all three PGT subtypes are available using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR: What Each Screens For

The following table describes the tests, the cost in India, and the group of patients for which they are relevant. The importance for the couple from Nigeria is noted.

PGT Type	What It Screens For	India Cost (approx.)	Best For
PGT-A	Chromosome count (all 24 pairs) — detects aneuploidies including Down syndrome	₹50,000–₹1,50,000 ($600–$1,800; £475–£1,430; NGN 880,000–2,640,000) per batch of embryos	All IVF patients; especially women over 35, recurrent miscarriage, repeated IVF failure
PGT-M	Single-gene disorders — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, Huntington’s, BRCA	₹80,000–₹2,00,000 ($950–$2,400; £750–£1,895; NGN 1,400,000–3,500,000) per test, usually combined with PGT-A	Couples who carry a specific inherited condition; highly relevant for Nigerian couples (sickle cell carrier rate ~25%)
PGT-SR	Chromosomal structural rearrangements — translocations and inversions causing repeated miscarriage	Similar to PGT-M	Couples with recurrent miscarriage linked to chromosomal translocations

Sources: ICMR ART clinical guidelines; ASRM Practice Committee publications; partner hospital pricing — Apollo Chennai, Fortis Noida, Medanta Gurgaon, MAX, Artemis Gurgaon. Costs per batch typically cover up to 8 embryos; per-embryo pricing may apply for smaller batches. NGN conversions at Q1 2026 rates.

How Preimplantation Genetic Testing Improves IVF Success Rates

Chromosomal abnormalities in embryos are the most common cause of IVF failure and early miscarriage. Most patients do not know that up to 50–60% of IVF embryos in women over 35 are chromosomally abnormal. This is true even when they appear healthy under a standard microscope. PGT-A identifies and sets aside these embryos before transfer, so the only embryos transferred are chromosomally normal (euploid).

The result: higher implantation rates per transfer, fewer miscarriages, and fewer total transfers needed to achieve a successful pregnancy. ESHRE data show per-transfer live birth rates of 55–70% for euploid embryo transfers. This is substantially higher than unscreened transfers in the same age group. At Divinheal partner hospitals — Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Fortis Noida, and Medanta Gurgaon — NGS-based PGT-A follows ICMR ART Act 2021 protocols.

Who Should Have Preimplantation Genetic Testing Before IVF?

PGT is not universally recommended for every IVF patient. Specialists recommend it most strongly for specific patient groups where the benefit is greatest.

PGT-M for Sickle Cell Disease: Why Nigerian Couples Choose India

Nigeria has the highest birth prevalence of sickle cell disease in the world. Approximately one in four Nigerians carries the sickle cell trait (HbAS). When both partners are carriers (HbAS × HbAS), each pregnancy has a one-in-four chance of sickle cell disease (HbSS). PGT-M can screen embryos for the sickle cell gene and select only unaffected embryos for transfer. This gives these couples a way to have a biological child free from sickle cell disease.

PGT-M for sickle cell disease requires a specific probe designed for each family’s mutation. This process is completed before the IVF cycle begins. This service is available at Apollo Hospitals Chennai and Fortis Noida. Both work with specialist genetics laboratories for probe development. The combined PGT-M + IVF cycle in India costs ₹4,50,000–₹7,00,000 ($5,400–$8,400; NGN 7,900,000–12,300,000). This is a fraction of what equivalent cycles cost in the UK. It also avoids months-long NHS waiting periods.

The same approach applies to thalassaemia (common across West Africa), Huntington’s disease, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, and other single-gene conditions. Divinheal coordinates the full PGT-M workup — including genetics laboratory matching and probe preparation — before your travel to India.

Who Else Benefits Most from PGT?

Beyond sickle cell carriers, PGT is most beneficial for:

•           Women over 35 — chromosomal abnormality rates in embryos rise significantly with age. For women aged 38–40, up to 60–80% of embryos may be aneuploid. PGT-A identifies the rare euploid embryos.

•           Recurrent miscarriage — when two or more consecutive pregnancies have been lost, chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo are the most common cause. PGT-A addresses this directly.

•           Repeated IVF implantation failure — when two or more good-quality embryos have been transferred without success, undetected aneuploidy is the most likely explanation.

•           Couples with chromosomal structural rearrangements — translocations and inversions increase miscarriage risk; PGT-SR selects embryos with balanced chromosomes.

•           Carriers of specific single-gene conditions — PGT-M applies to any detectable single-gene disorder where both partners carry risk.

Does PGT-A Detect Down Syndrome? What Chromosomal Conditions Does It Screen For?

Yes — PGT-A screens all 24 chromosome pairs, including chromosome 21. It detects trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), and monosomy X (Turner syndrome). All other common and uncommon aneuploidies are also detected. It does not detect single-gene conditions like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease — those require PGT-M.

NGS-based PGT-A, which is the standard at Divinheal partner hospitals, screens the entire genome simultaneously. It is approximately 98%+ accurate for chromosomal copy number. It also detects segmental aneuploidies (partial chromosome gains or losses) that older FISH-based methods missed. PGT-SR detects chromosomal translocations and inversions — structural rearrangements that FISH methods and standard NGS can miss without specific probes.

Can PGD Be Done Without IVF?

No. Preimplantation genetic testing requires embryos to be created in a laboratory. This is only possible through IVF. The embryo biopsy takes place at the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6 after fertilisation), before any transfer. Without IVF, there are no accessible embryos to biopsy.

Patients who want to know their genetic carrier status before IVF can arrange pre-conception carrier screening in their home country. This is done before travelling to India. Divinheal can advise on which tests to arrange before travel. This ensures the IVF and PGT cycle in India is ready to proceed efficiently.

How Is Embryo Genetic Testing Done During an IVF Cycle?

PGT is integrated into the IVF cycle at a specific point — after embryo development reaches the blastocyst stage. It adds approximately 10–14 days to the overall timeline, because embryos must be frozen while genetic results are processed.

Step-by-Step: From Embryo Biopsy to PGT Results

The testing process involves five steps:

•           Step 1 — Embryo culture: After egg retrieval and fertilisation, embryos are cultured in the laboratory for 5–6 days until they reach blastocyst stage. Not all fertilised eggs develop to this point.

•           Step 2 — Biopsy: A highly skilled embryologist removes 5–10 cells from the trophectoderm (the outer layer of the blastocyst that becomes the placenta — not the inner cell mass that becomes the baby). The procedure takes seconds per embryo and is guided by laser micromanipulation.

•           Step 3 — Cryopreservation: Immediately after biopsy, each embryo is vitrified (fast-frozen). This protects it while the genetic analysis is processed.

•           Step 4 — Laboratory analysis: Biopsied cells are sent to a specialist genetics laboratory and analysed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results typically return in 10–14 days.

•           Step 5 — Frozen embryo transfer (FET): Once results are available, you meet your fertility specialist to review findings. Euploid (chromosomally normal) embryos are identified. A frozen embryo transfer cycle is then planned — typically 4–6 weeks after PGT results, following uterine lining preparation.

Mosaic embryos — those with a mix of normal and abnormal cells — require separate specialist counselling. Mosaic embryos are not automatically discarded. Transfer of a mosaic embryo is possible in some cases, with careful monitoring of the resulting pregnancy.

How Long Does IVF Embryo Genetic Testing Take?

From egg retrieval to frozen embryo transfer with PGT-A, the total timeline is typically 8–12 weeks:

•           Egg retrieval and embryo culture: 5–6 days

•           Biopsy and genetic laboratory analysis: 10–14 days

•           Results consultation and FET cycle preparation: 3–6 weeks

•           Frozen embryo transfer: outpatient procedure (1–2 days in India for the transfer itself)

For international patients from Nigeria, Australia, or the UK, this means the trip to India is split into two parts. The first trip (10–15 days) covers the egg retrieval, biopsy, and cryopreservation. The second trip (5–8 days) covers the frozen embryo transfer. Divinheal coordinates both trips and provides telemedicine consultation between them.

PGT-A Cost in India vs Nigeria, Australia & UK (2026)

India offers PGT-IVF at 50–70% less than equivalent private-sector costs in Australia or the UK. The table below compares a full IVF + PGT-A cycle across countries, with NGN and AUD figures included.

Country	Standard IVF + PGT-A (8 embryos)	In NGN	In AUD	Notes
India	₹3,50,000–₹5,50,000 ($4,200–$6,600; £3,300–£5,200)	NGN 6,160,000–9,660,000	AUD 6,500–10,200	NABH/JCI-accredited; NGS-based PGT-A; no meaningful wait-list
Nigeria	NGN 5,000,000–9,000,000 ($3,500–$6,500; £2,750–£5,100)	NGN 5,000,000–9,000,000	AUD 5,400–10,000	Limited PGT-M availability locally; India offers broader genetic panel coverage
Australia	AUD 12,000–22,000 ($7,800–$14,300; £6,150–£11,300)	NGN 11,500,000–21,000,000	AUD 12,000–22,000	Medicare partial rebate on IVF components; PGT-A not rebated. NHMRC restricts non-medical PGT.
UK	£8,000–£16,000 ($9,600–$19,200; AUD 14,800–29,700)	NGN 11,900,000–23,600,000	AUD 14,800–29,700	HFEA-licensed clinics only; NHS funds PGT only for specific severe conditions. PGT-A is a typically private add-on.

Sources: Partner hospital direct pricing — Apollo Chennai, Fortis Noida, Medanta Gurgaon, MAX, Artemis Gurgaon (India). Australia: Genea, Monash IVF published pricing 2025; NHMRC guidelines note PGT-A is not a Medicare rebatable item. UK: HFEA licensed clinic published tariffs 2024–25; NHS funds PGT only for specific HFEA-approved severe conditions. Nigeria: Lagos private fertility clinic estimates 2025. All figures are approximate private-healthcare ranges. Currency conversions at Q1 2026 rates.

What Is Included in a PGT-IVF Package in India?

A standard IVF + PGT-A package at Divinheal partner hospitals typically includes:

•           Initial consultation and pre-cycle workup (hormone profile, AMH, semen analysis)

•           Ovarian stimulation medications (included at most partner hospitals or quoted separately)

•           Egg retrieval under sedation

•           ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) — standard for PGT cycles

•           Embryo culture to blastocyst stage

•           Trophectoderm biopsy using laser micromanipulation

•           NGS-based PGT-A (for up to 8 embryos — additional embryos priced separately)

•           Vitrification (cryopreservation) of all biopsied embryos

•           Genetics laboratory analysis with results report

•           Results of consultation with fertility specialist

•           One frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle including uterine lining preparation

PGT-M (for sickle cell, thalassaemia, BRCA, or other single-gene conditions) requires additional genetics laboratory work before the IVF cycle begins. Probe design and validation typically takes 6–8 weeks. This adds ₹30,000–₹80,000 ($360–$960) to the total. Divinheal coordinates this preparation before your travel.

Why India Costs 50–70% Less — Without Lower Standards

India’s cost advantage comes from lower operating costs, larger procedure volumes, and a competitive private fertility market. Over 50,000 IVF cycles are performed annually per ICMR data. Quality is not compromised. It does not come from using older or lower-quality technology. NGS-based PGT-A is standard at Divinheal partner hospitals. This is the same platform used at Genea in Australia and CARE Fertility in the UK. NABH and JCI accreditation means independent annual verification of laboratory standards, clinical safety, and ethical compliance.
The favorable exchange rate further increases these savings. The favorable NGN/INR exchange rate makes India especially cost-effective for Nigerian patients. For patients from Australia, AUD savings of more than AUD 6,000–15,000 can be made in a combination of PGT and IVF.

Is PGT-A Testing Worth It for IVF? What the Evidence Shows

PGT-A adds cost and approximately 10–14 days to the IVF timeline. Whether it is worth that investment depends on your specific situation.

How PGT-A Improves Implantation Rates and Reduces Miscarriage

Transferring a chromosomally normal (euploid) embryo identified by PGT-A consistently produces higher per-transfer live birth rates than transferring unscreened embryos. ESHRE published data show per-transfer live birth rates of 55–70% for euploid embryo transfers. This compares with 30–45% for unscreened transfers in women of comparable age. The difference is largest for women over 38. Undetected aneuploidy is the primary cause of failed transfers and early miscarriage in this age group.

Sunita and Ravi of Lagos had faced two consecutive miscarriages after conceiving through natural conception. The couple was found to be HbAS sickle cell carriers through the carrier screening test. Divinheal had provided PGT-M treatment in Fortis Noida. Out of three embryos tested for biopsy, one was found to be healthy. The single frozen embryo transfer of Sunita was successful as she conceived on day 12.

Story is an illustrative composite based on typical patient journeys. Names changed for privacy.

PGT-A: Pros, Cons, and Who It Helps Most

Feature	PGT-A Benefits	PGT-A Considerations
Success rates	Higher implantation and live birth rates per transfer.	No guarantee of pregnancy — even euploid embryos do not always implant.
Risk reduction	Fewer miscarriages; avoids transferring chromosomally abnormal embryos.	Small risk to the embryo during biopsy (less than 1% of embryos lost at experienced centres).
Efficiency	Fewer transfers needed; fewer emotional and financial cycles.	Adds cost and 10–14 days waiting time for results; requires a freeze-all FET cycle.
Who benefits most	Women over 35; recurrent miscarriage; repeated IVF failure; genetic carrier couples.	Not recommended for patients with very few embryos — may leave no transferable embryos.

Sources: ASRM Practice Committee, Fertility and Sterility, 2020 (embryo aneuploidy and miscarriage). ESHRE PGT Consortium data. Partner hospital clinical outcomes — Apollo Chennai, Fortis Noida, Medanta, MAX, Artemis.
PGT-A is no guarantee that you will conceive through embryo transfer. Euploid embryos also have their chances of failing per cycle. The receptivity of the uterus, the state of the endometrium, and other considerations will play an independent role from chromosomal considerations for successful implantation. Your doctor can give you an informed decision regarding this.

PGT and Gender Selection: What Is and Isn’t Permitted

While PGT-A does determine the sex of an embryo through its complete chromosome analysis (XX or XY), the use of such information for non-medical purposes of choosing the gender of the baby is illegal in India according to the PCPNDT Act.

Australia and the United Kingdom occupy the same ground. In Australia, the NHMRC limits the use of PGT to only cases of serious genetic disorders. In the United Kingdom, the HFEA allows the use of PGT only where there is a medical need for it. Non-medical gender selection is prohibited in all Divinheal partner hospitals.

PGT-M may include sex determination as a medically necessary component for sex-linked genetic conditions. For example, Duchenne muscular dystrophy primarily affects males — sex identification may be medically required in these cases. In these cases, sex identification is permitted as part of disease prevention, not social selection. Your specialist will explain how this applies to your specific condition.

PGT vs NIPT, CVS, and Amniocentesis: How Does Genetic Testing Work in IVF Differently?

PGT is distinct from all other prenatal genetic tests in one fundamental way: it is done before pregnancy begins. This means decisions about which embryo to transfer are made before implantation — not after a pregnancy is confirmed. All other prenatal tests (NIPT, CVS, amniocentesis) occur after conception and sometimes far into pregnancy.

Feature	PGT	NIPT	CVS	Amniocentesis
Timing	Before embryo transfer	10–22 weeks of pregnancy	10–13 weeks	15–20 weeks
Type	Diagnostic — directly tests embryo DNA	Screening — maternal blood	Diagnostic — placental tissue	Diagnostic — amniotic fluid
Invasiveness	Embryo biopsy (no risk to mother)	Blood draw — no fetal risk	Needle into abdomen or cervix	Needle into abdomen
Miscarriage risk	None to mother; minimal to embryo	None	0.2–0.5%	0.1–0.3%
What it detects	Chromosomal abnormalities; single-gene disorders	Common trisomies (Down’s, Edwards’, Patau’s)	Chromosomal and single-gene defects	Chromosomal, single-gene defects, neural tube defects

Sources: HFEA Patient Guidance on Preimplantation Genetic Testing, 2023; NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines; ASRM Practice Committee; RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) guidelines.
NIPT is commonly used in patients from Australia and the UK since it is considered as a standard method of first-trimester screening. The main difference is in the nature of testing. In case of a positive result from NIPT in regards to Down syndrome, further investigation using CVS or amniocentesis is required. In the case of PGT-A, testing is performed on the embryo, thus, the result is certain at the time of embryo transfer.

Risks and Limitations of Embryo Genetic Testing

PGT is a highly accurate technology, but it is not without limitations. Understanding these before proceeding allows for informed decision-making.

Risk or Limitation	Description	What It Means for You
False positive or negative	Test misidentifies a healthy embryo as abnormal, or vice versa	NGS-based PGT-A is approximately 98%+ accurate for chromosome counting. False results are rare but not impossible.
Mosaicism	Embryo contains both chromosomally normal and abnormal cells	Mosaic embryos are not necessarily non-viable. Your specialist will advise on transfer suitability and monitoring.
Biopsy-related damage	Minimal physical risk of harm to the embryo during cell removal	Less than 1% of embryos lost at experienced, accredited centres. Experienced embryologists minimise this risk significantly.
No transferable embryos	PGT-A may identify all embryos in a batch as abnormal	More common with fewer embryos (1–3). Discuss this scenario with your specialist before starting PGT. Most patients with 4+ blastocysts have at least one euploid.

Sources: ESHRE PGT Consortium; ASRM Practice Committee; published embryology data from partner hospitals (Apollo Chennai, Fortis Noida, Medanta Gurgaon).

What Should You Do With a Mosaic Embryo?

A mosaic embryo is one where the biopsy results show a mixture of chromosomally normal and abnormal cells. Mosaicism affects approximately 15–20% of tested blastocysts, per ESHRE published data. The clinical interpretation of mosaic embryos is nuanced:

•           Mosaicism with a low rate (20-40% of abnormal cells) – in terms of clinical outcome, similar to euploid embryos; various reports in the literature have documented healthy births following transfer of mosaic embryos.

•           High-level mosaicism (>40% abnormal cells) — outcomes are less predictable. Transfer is possible but requires detailed specialist counselling and enhanced pregnancy monitoring.

•           Segmental mosaicism — depends on which chromosome segment is involved. Specialist genetics counselling before any transfer decision is essential.

At Divinheal partner hospitals, mosaic embryo results are discussed in a dedicated genetics counselling session before transfer is planned. Mosaic embryos are not automatically discarded. They are categorised and transferred based on clinical guidance when euploid embryos are not available. Any resulting pregnancy is monitored with early confirmatory testing (NIPT, CVS, or amniocentesis).

How Divinheal Supports PGT-IVF Patients from Nigeria, Australia & UK

The Divinheal service makes a perfect match between the patient and the right NABH-certified partner hospital, depending on the type of PGT required, genetics laboratories needed, and budget. The recommended partner hospitals for Nigerian couples seeking PGT-M for either sickle cell or thalassaemia are the Fortis Noida and Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. This is because both hospitals are associated with specialist genetics laboratories with expertise in managing African genetic disorders. Australian couples requiring PGT-A should choose either the Medanta Gurgaon or Artemis Gurgaon for their high volume of blastocyst cultures and genetics laboratories in English.

What Divinheal Coordinates

Divinheal handles the full PGT-IVF journey:

•           Clinic matching based on PGT type required (PGT-A, PGT-M, or PGT-SR) and genetics laboratory capability

•           Pre-cycle coordination: genetics laboratory probe preparation for PGT-M (6–8 weeks before travel)

•           Hospital appointment booking at NABH/JCI-accredited partner hospitals within 1–2 weeks

•           Medical visa invitation letter (required for Nigerian, Australian, and UK nationals)

•           Accommodation near the treatment hospital, typically 1–2 km away

•           Airport transfers on arrival and departure — both trips

•           A WhatsApp-accessible patient coordinator throughout both India stays

•           Telemedicine consultation with your fertility specialist between Trip 1 and Trip 2 (during the PGT results wait)

•           Written genetics report and cycle summary in English for your home-country doctor

Divinheal does not charge a placement fee. Partner hospital rates are direct patient pricing. A written cost estimate in NGN, AUD, or GBP is available before you commit to travel.

Patient Journey: Australia

Sarah and Michael from Sydney were on a 9-month long public program waiting list before approaching Divinheal. Sarah was 38 years old and had two failed embryo transfers at a Sydney-based clinic – no PGT-A. The couple was referred to Medanta Gurgaon by Divinheal. Their egg harvesting yielded 6 blastocysts with 2 blastocysts being euploid based on PGT-A. Their first frozen embryo transfer led to a pregnancy confirmation. Overall cost incurred during both trips to India: AUD 8,400. Similar cycle in Sydney with no Medicare cover for PGT-A: AUD 16,000+.

Story is an illustrative composite based on typical patient journeys. Names changed for privacy.

Final Thoughts

PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR in India can be done at partner hospitals that are accredited by NABH/JCI. The cost is reduced by 50%-70% compared to private sector costs in Australia or the UK for the same tests. If Nigerian parents are carriers for sickle cell or thalassaemia, they can have PGT-M done at Fortis Noida or Apollo Chennai. This ensures a clear way of conceiving a baby who will not have the condition. For Australian patients on long queues for public sector care, India offers an option within 1-2 weeks of inquiry.

Contact Divinheal for a free case evaluation. This includes a written cost estimate in NGN, AUD, or GBP. It also includes a clinic match based on your PGT type and genetics laboratory requirements. A direct consultation with a reproductive medicine specialist is included too.

Disclaimer: All cost figures are approximate 2025–2026 estimates for private healthcare. Currency conversions at Q1 2026 rates. Individual costs depend on clinic tier, protocol complexity, and number of embryos. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified specialist. Patient stories are illustrative composites; names changed for privacy. All citations should be verified by the Divinheal medical team before publication. Note to Divinheal team: the five competitor URLs provided were for NHS pharmacy protocols — not fertility PGD. They contained no relevant fertility competitor content. They contained no relevant fertility competitor content and were not used.