In a boost to female reproductive rights, India's Cabinet on Wednesday backed giving women more time to seek an abortion in a bill aimed at helping the young, disadvantaged and the raped.

The government said the Cabinet had approved extending the abortion deadline to 24 weeks from 20, with the measure set to go before a new session of parliament that opens on Friday.

"This will help particularly adolescent girls, disabled girls, rape victims and others who face these problems," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar told a news conference.