In India, Amniocentesis was banned under prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act which was enforced in 1994. According to this Act, all the genetic counseling centres and laboratories are required to apply for registration.
It was must because the technique was being misused. Mothers started even get their normal foetus aborted if it was a female. So this Act is aimed to legally check increasing female foeticide which is causing an unfavourable sex ratio.