Centre Restricts Stem Cell Therapy for Autism to Clinical Trials

The Union Health Ministry has instructed States and Union Territories to restrict stem cell therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder exclusively to duly approved clinical trials.

In an advisory issued on September 16, the Ministry stated that unapproved stem cell interventions should not be provided as routine, standard, or commercial clinical services.

The directive follows a Supreme Court judgment in January 2026 and an ICMR review noting that available evidence does not support stem cell therapy for autism over behavioral treatments.