Adoption rules may change as CARA focuses on special needs children

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) said it is reviewing the adoption regulations notified in 2022 to strengthen the regulatory framework and address emerging legal, procedural and implementation-related issues.

The authority has invited comments and suggestions from the public and organisations on provisions of the 2022 regulations that may need amendment, insertion, substitution or omission. The deadline for submissions is September 9.

The 2022 regulations brought a major change to the adoption process by giving district magistrates the power to issue adoption orders, replacing district courts.


Following the public consultation, CARA plans to hold discussions with stakeholders before preparing a proposal for amendments. The draft proposal will also be placed in the public domain before it is finalised, sources said.

Officials said the review was prompted by areas of ambiguity that have emerged despite the changes introduced in 2022. At present, some of these issues are addressed through office orders and letters interpreting provisions in line with the law. The proposed review is aimed at providing greater clarity through consultations with key stakeholders, an official said.

One of the key areas under consideration is increasing the adoption of children with special needs. Sources said CARA is exploring whether a separate sub-category could be created for children with temporary or treatable conditions, such as a cleft lip, to improve their prospects of adoption.

According to data on the CARA website, 5,022 children were adopted between April 2025 and March 2026, of whom 392 were in the special needs category. Only 84 of these adoptions were domestic, while 308 took place through inter-country adoption.

(With inputs from TOI)