Index

1. What Is Adoption?
2. What Are The Key Principles Of Child Adoption From India?
3. Who Are The Key Players In The Adoption Process?
4. What Are The Requirements For Prospective Adoptive Parents?
5. How Can You Adopt A Child?
6. How Does The Adoption Process Work?
7. What Documents Are Required For Adoption Registration?
8. What Are The Legislations Related To Adoption?
9. What Is The Normal Adoption Timeline In India?
10. Can Parents Request A Specific Child?

What Is Adoption?

Adoption is when a child becomes the legal child of adoptive parents, gaining all the rights and responsibilities of a biological child.

What Are The Key Principles Of Child Adoption From India?

1. The child’s best interests must always come first in any adoption process.
2. Prioritize adopting children to Indian citizens, ideally within their own socio-cultural environment.
3. All adoptive parents must register their adoptions in the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System, and the Authority must ensure the confidentiality of this information.

Who Are The Key Players In The Adoption Process?

1. Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) – CARA oversees the adoption process, issues guidelines, and ensures smooth operations.
2. State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) – SARA acts as the state-level body to promote and monitor adoption, working with CARA.
3. Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA)- SAA is approved by the state to place children for adoption.
4. Authorised Foreign Adoption Agency (AFAA) -The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) recognizes the Authorized Foreign Adoption Agency (AFAA) to facilitate the adoption of Indian children by foreign citizens. AFAA plays a crucial role in managing the adoption process, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and supporting prospective adoptive parents throughout their journey.
5. District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) – The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) actively identifies children eligible for adoption and facilitates their legal clearance through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). By coordinating with various stakeholders, the DCPU ensures a streamlined process for placing children in safe and nurturing homes.

What Are The Requirements For Prospective Adoptive Parents?

1. Prospective adoptive parents must be physically, mentally, and emotionally stable, financially capable, motivated to adopt, and free from any life-threatening medical conditions.
2. Any individual, regardless of marital status or whether they have biological children, can adopt a child.
3. Single females can adopt a child of any gender.
4. Single males cannot adopt a girl child.
5. Both spouses must consent to the adoption if they are a married couple.
6. Couples must have at least two years of a stable marital relationship to adopt, except in cases of relative or step-parent adoption.
7. Eligibility based on the age of the prospective adoptive parents at the time of registration:
8. ­Child up to 2 years: Couple max age 85 years, single max age 40 years.
9. Child above 2 up to 4 years: Couple max age 90 years, single max age 45 years.
10. Child above 4 up to 8 years: Couple max age 100 years, single max age 50 years.
11. Child above 8 up to 18 years: Couple max age 110 years, single max age 55 years
12. There must be at least a 25-year age difference between the child and either prospective adoptive parent.
13. Age criteria do not apply to relative adoptions or step-parent adoptions.
14. Adoption agencies generally do not consider couples with three or more children for adoption, except in cases involving special needs children, hard-to-place children, relative adoptions, or step-parent adoptions.

How Can You Adopt A Child?

You can adopt a child by submitting an online application at www.cara.nic.in and following the procedures in the Adoption Regulations, 2017. For more details, visit the website. Registration on CARINGS is mandatory for adoption. If you need help with online registration, you can contact the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) in your district.

How Does The Adoption Process Work?

1. Parents can register online at CARINGS (www.cara.nic.in).
2. They select their preferred Adoption Agency for the Home Study Report (HSR) and State.
3. A User ID and Password are generated for them.
4. Parents upload required documents within 30 days of registration.
5. A registration number is issued once documents are uploaded.
6. The Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA) conducts a Home Study Report (HSR) of the Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) within 30 days of document submission.
7. The suitability of Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) is assessed, if found unsuitable, reasons for rejection are provided.
8. PAPs choose and reserve one child from up to 6 options within their preference.
9. Within 15 days of reservation, PAPs visit the adoption agency to finalise the adoption.
10. If not finalised within the specified time, PAPs move down in the seniority list.
11. Upon acceptance of the child, SAA completes the referral and adoption process on CARINGS.
12. PAPs take the child into pre-adoption foster care, and SAA files a petition in court.
13. An Adoption Court order is issued.
14. Post-adoption follow-up reports are conducted for a two-year period.

What Documents Are Required For Adoption Registration?

1. You must be an Indian citizen residing in India.
2. Provide your correct residential address and telephone number with area code.
3. You or your spouse must have a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, upload it in PDF format (max 512 KB).
4. Upload a family photograph (for couples) or a single parent’s photograph in JPG format (max 1 MB, size 3.5 x 4.5 cm).
5. Have an email account and mobile number.
6. Upon successful registration, you’ll receive an online acknowledgement letter with your registration details.
7. If you misplace your acknowledgement letter, regenerate it using the Forgot Password link on the Track Status page.
8. Photograph of person(s) adopting (Postcard Size)
9.  Birth Certificate
10. Proof of Residence (Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/Driving License/Passport/Current Electricity Bill/Telephone Bill)
11. Proof of Income from the last year (Salary Slip/Income Certificate/Income Tax Return)
12. Marriage Certificate (if married)
13. Divorce Decree (if divorced)
14. Death Certificate of spouse (if spouse is deceased)
15. Medical certificate confirming fitness to adopt without chronic, contagious, or fatal diseases.
16. Provide accurate and complete information to avoid invalidation of your application.
17. Contact the adoption agency after registration.
18. You must present original documents for verification. The adoption agency will determine your eligibility for adoption based on these documents.

What Are The Legislations Related To Adoption?

In India, adoption laws are based on the personal laws of each religion. Therefore, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, and Jews cannot adopt according to their personal laws. However, they can adopt from an orphanage under the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890, with court approval. Christians can only adopt under foster care, and the foster child can sever all ties with the guardians upon reaching adulthood.

Indian citizens who are Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, or Sikhs can formally adopt a child under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, which is part of the Hindu code bills.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 regulates the adoption of abandoned, surrendered, or abused children. This legislation establishes guidelines to ensure the protection and welfare of vulnerable children during the adoption process.

There is no specific law for the adoption of children in India by foreign nationals or NRIs. 

Instead, the Guidelines Governing Adoption of Children, 2015 govern the process. In the absence of a specific act for intercountry adoption, authorities follow the procedures outlined in the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.

What Is The Normal Adoption Timeline In India?

The adoption process usually takes two to four years for most families. The main delay is in receiving a child referral. Being open to adopting a boy or a child with special needs can help parents reduce their wait time.

Can Parents Request A Specific Child?

Prospective parents cannot request a specific child for adoption. Therefore, looking for a newborn baby adoption may not always be possible. However, they can specify their preferences, which may include:

1. Age
2. Gender
3. Skin color
4. Health condition (including whether they are open to adopting a child with a physical or mental disability)
5. Religion