Child Adoption in India, Process and Challenges

Table of Contents

Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development and Central Adoption Resource Authority have started an initiative to celebrate November as Adoption Awareness Month to raise awareness about legal adoption. India has witnessed a significant improvement in child adoptions in FY 2024-25, with 4,515 adoptions recorded, marking the highest figure in 12 years.

About Child Adoption Process

Child Adoption is the formal process through which a child is permanently separated from their biological parents to become the lawful child of their adoptive parents.

Legislations that deal with the adoption of a child

The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA)
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

Stakeholders Involved

CARA: Oversees the adoption process and issues guidelines.
SARA: State-level nodal body for adoption and non-institutional care.
SAA: Specialised Adoption Agencies place children for adoption.
AFAA: Authorised Foreign Adoption Agencies facilitate international adoptions.
DCPU: District Child Protection Units identify children eligible for adoption.

About Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Nodal Ministry: Union Ministry of Women & Child Development.
It deals with the adoption of orphan, abandoned, and surrendered children through its associated/recognised adoption agencies.
CARA is designated as the central authority for inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993.
A database of children and registration of prospective parents is done on a centralised Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS), which CARA maintains.

Challenges faced by CARA in Adoption

Increased waiting time for adoption. It has increased to 3 years from 1 year in the past five years.
Shortage of licensed agencies
Rampant malpractices and inter-country adoption rackets.
Lack of awareness among District Magistrates.