Emergency contraception also called the "Post-coital" or the "Morning after Contraception" can in many cases help women faced with the prospect of unplanned and unwanted pregnancy to avoid pregnancy. If a couple had sexual intercourse without using any form of contraception, or if there is a problem with the contraceptive method they are using., for example, a leak or burst condom, a woman can become pregnant. The risk for this varies depending upon the time when intercourse took place during the cycle. Many women do not know that contraception following intercourse is feasible or readily available and wait in agony for the periods to come and, if missed, resort to various methods to terminate pregnancy with their potential hazards. The need for emergency contraception has been felt over the last few years in India.

Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO Geneva, Switzerland conducted multi-national trials on emergency contraception, in which India collaborated. Following this, Consortium on National Consensus for Emergency Contraception was organized by WHO Collaborative Centre for Research in Human Reproduction at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in collaboration with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and Indian Council of Medical Research. Participants included a galaxy of international and national technical experts, policy makers, researchers, pharmaceuticals, women's advocates, legal experts, non government organizations, professional bodies and service providers. The Report & Recommendations of National Consensus of Consortium paved the way for introduction of Emergency Contraception in the country.