Infertility means a couple is unable to produce children even after having unprotected sex regularly. NCERT lists 6 causes: physical, congenital, diseases, drugs, immunological, and psychological. Memory hook: think "PC-DDIP" (Physical, Congenital, Diseases, Drugs, Immunological, Psychological) — and remember NCERT's key line that the problem is "more often than not" in the MALE partner, not the female.
Infertility means a couple cannot produce children despite unprotected sex. NCERT gives six causes (PC-DDIP hook) and stresses the male partner is often the reason, not the female.
Your doubts, answered
What exactly does infertility mean in NCERT terms?
Infertility is when a couple is unable to produce children in spite of unprotected sexual co-habitation (regular unprotected sex). The key word is 'unprotected' — if they are using contraception, not conceiving is expected, so that is not infertility. It describes the couple, not just one person.
Is the female always the cause of infertility?
No. NCERT clearly states that in India the female is often blamed, but 'more often than not, the problem lies in the male partner.' This exact line is a favourite NEET point. Infertility can come from either partner.
What are all the causes of infertility according to NCERT?
NCERT lists six categories: physical, congenital (present from birth), diseases, drugs, immunological, and even psychological. Use the hook PC-DDIP. Notice psychological (mental/stress-related) is included — students often forget it.
Can infertility always be corrected?
Not always. Specialised health care units (infertility clinics) can diagnose and treat some disorders. But where correction is not possible, the couple can be helped to have children through Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) like IVF.
Is infertility the same as sterility or impotence?
For NEET, stick to NCERT's word 'infertility' — the inability of a couple to produce children despite unprotected sex. It is broader than impotence (inability to perform intercourse) and is a couple-level term, not a single fixed disease.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ A couple who cannot conceive while using contraceptives is infertile. ✓ Infertility applies only when the couple cannot produce children despite UNPROTECTED sexual co-habitation. Contraception explains the non-pregnancy, so it is not infertility. 🧠 The trap word is always 'unprotected'. No unprotected sex = you cannot call it infertility.
Real NEET questions
2023
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is another specialised procedure of in-vivo fertilisation.
Statement II: Infertility cases due to inability of the male partner to inseminate female can be corrected by artificial insemination (AI).
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer:
A · Both Statement I and Statement II are true
B · Both Statement I and Statement II are false
C · Statement I is correct but Statement II is false
D · Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is true ✓
Solution: Statement I is false: ICSI forms an embryo in the LABORATORY by injecting a sperm into the ovum, so it is in-vitro (outside body), not in-vivo. Statement II is true: infertility caused by the male partner's inability to inseminate the female (or very low sperm count) can be corrected by artificial insemination (AI). So Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is true.
Solved Reproductive Health NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
The inability of a couple to produce children in spite of unprotected sexual co-habitation.
How many causes of infertility does NCERT give?
Six: physical, congenital, diseases, drugs, immunological, and psychological.
Who is more often responsible for infertility?
NCERT states the problem more often than not lies in the male partner, though in India the female is usually blamed.
What helps couples who are infertile?
Infertility clinics can diagnose and treat some causes; when correction is not possible, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as IVF help them have children.
Is psychological cause really part of infertility?
Yes. NCERT specifically includes 'even psychological' as one of the causes, so do not skip it.
