Cost of a liver transplant in India: Does a liver transplant involve the donor's entire liver? Learn about the complete process and cost.
- bySherya
- 18 Oct, 2025

Liver transplant: Every year, a large number of people in India wait for a liver transplant. Let us tell you what a total liver transplant is and how much it costs.

Liver Transplant Surgery: Every year, a large population in the country struggles with liver problems, including liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver failure, and cancer. When these patients don't find relief through medication or other treatments, doctors recommend a liver transplant. Consequently, the common question is whether a liver transplant involves a full liver or just a half liver. Let us explain this and how much a liver transplant costs.
Is there a complete liver transplant?
Let us tell you that the liver is the only organ in our body that can regenerate itself. This is why the entire liver is not transplanted to the patient. There are two processes involved. The first is a living donor. In this, usually only 60 to 70 percent of the donor's liver is removed and transplanted to the patient. After a few months, both livers take shape. The second process is a cadaveric donor. The liver of a deceased person can be transplanted completely, but it can also be divided into two parts and transplanted to different patients.
What is the process?
In India, there is a law called the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 (THOTA Act). According to this, living donors can only be close relatives, such as parents, siblings, children, or spouses. Anyone else who donates a liver requires prior permission. Patients are first evaluated for liver transplantation, including blood tests, imaging, liver function tests, and a full body examination. Liver transplantation involves surgery, where a portion of the liver is removed from the donor and transplanted into the patient.
The surgery can last 8 to 12 hours and requires close monitoring in the ICU. Afterward, the donor can typically return to normal life within 10 to 15 days, while the patient requires medication and regular checkups for 3 to 6 months. Costs vary depending on the location. A typical fee ranges from 12 to 21 lakh rupees, and this can increase. Costs vary in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and other cities.