Central Adoption
Resource
Authority (CARA)
NIKHITHA S KUMAR
39
Introduction to CARA
● Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is the statutory body regulating adoption in India
● Established under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015
● Also functions as India’s designated Central Authority under the Hague Convention on
Intercountry Adoption (1993)
● Works to ensure ethical adoption practices, protect child rights, and maintain transparency
through guidelines and monitoring
Historical Background
● Before CARA, adoption was mainly regulated through personal laws, such as the Hindu Adoptions
and Maintenance Act, 1956
● Communities outside Hindu law had limited or no clear adoption framework, leading to
inconsistency
● Rising intercountry adoptions in the late 20th century highlighted risks of trafficking and
irregularities
● India ratified the Hague Convention in 2003, requiring a centralized authority → CARA was
created and became statutory in 2015
Objectives & Principles
● Ensure adoption is carried out in the best interest of the child above all else
● Give preference to in-country adoptions before intercountry adoptions
● Maintain fairness and non-discrimination in the eligibility of prospective adoptive parents (PAPs)
● Guarantee transparency through CARINGS (Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance
System) online portal
● Hold agencies accountable through accreditation, audits, and periodic inspections
In-Country Adoption Process
● PAPs (Prospective Adoptive Parents) must register on CARINGS via a recognized Specialized
Adoption Agency (SAA)
● Social workers conduct a detailed home study to evaluate financial, emotional, and psychological
suitability
● Children become eligible only after the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) declares them legally free
for adoption
● CARINGS matches children with PAPs based on criteria such as age, health, and preferences
● Adoption is finalized by a competent court order, followed by mandatory post-adoption follow-up
visits and reports
Intercountry Adoption Process
● Foreign PAPs apply through an Adoption Service Provider (ASP) accredited in their home country
● Indian Specialized Adoption Agencies coordinate with CARA through CARINGS for matching
children
● CARA issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is mandatory for the child’s travel and
immigration clearance
● The adoption is then completed in the receiving country under its own legal framework, with
CARA’s oversight
● Extra safeguards are applied to prevent child trafficking, exploitation, or misuse of intercountry
adoption provisions
Case Laws
● Debratti Nandee v. CEO, CARA (2024): Court held CARA must act fairly and cannot arbitrarily reject
adoption applications
● Delhi High Court (2024): Directed CARA to issue NOC to an Australian couple after unnecessary
bureaucratic delay
● Telangana High Court (2025): Illegal adoption treated as trafficking; adoption petition dismissed to
protect the child’s rights
● Bombay High Court: Denied adoption of a U.S.-born child, clarifying that only children declared free
under the JJ Act fall within CARA’s jurisdiction
Challenges & Reforms
Challenges:
● Bureaucratic delays in issuing NOCs and adoption clearances
● Uneven functioning of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Specialized Adoption Agencies
● (SAAs) across states
● Weak monitoring of adoptive families after the process is finalized
Reforms Suggested:
● Strict statutory timelines for each stage of the adoption process
● Greater transparency and efficiency in the CARINGS system
● Better training, staffing, and funding for CWCs and SAAs
● Strong grievance redressal mechanisms for adoptive parents and children
Conclusion
The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s adoption
framework by combining regulation with facilitation. Its mandate is rooted in the principle that the
best interests of the child must always prevail. As the statutory authority under the Juvenile Justice Act,
2015, and the designated body under the Hague Convention, CARA ensures transparency, ethical
standards, and accountability in both domestic and intercountry adoptions. Judicial interventions have
further strengthened its functioning by curbing delays and arbitrary decisions. Yet, persistent
challenges such as slow procedures, uneven functioning of welfare agencies, and weak post-adoption
monitoring highlight the need for reform. By enforcing strict timelines, strengthening CARINGS, and
improving oversight, CARA can fulfill its vision more effectively. Ultimately, a stronger CARA is vital for
protecting vulnerable children and ensuring their right to a safe and loving family.
THANK YOU