2025 Guide to Child Adoption in India

Adopting a child in India is a deeply rewarding journey but can often be challenging. While the rules and procedures outlined by CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) seem straightforward, real-life experiences reveal unexpected hurdles. This guide offers practical advice, highlights common challenges, and provides a step-by-step approach to child adoption in India.

Want a quick and easy understanding of child adoption in India? This video gives you a clear, step-by-step guide to the adoption process. It’s a great resource if you’re planning to adopt and wish to learn the essentials in just a short time.

The process of adoption in India is clear on paper, one crucial aspect often overlooked by prospective parents is the psychological preparation required for both the adoptive parents and the child. Adoption is a life-changing event, and understanding the emotional dynamics is essential for building a stable relationship. Adoption agencies generally provide counseling and support services, but it’s also advisable for parents to attend pre-adoption workshops, which many agencies offer. These workshops can prepare parents for potential challenges, such as dealing with attachment issues or addressing questions the child may have about their biological parents.

A mother from Chennai shared online how joining an online forum helped her prepare emotionally and understand the challenges better.

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Furthermore, the adoption process emphasizes that every child deserves a family, and the agencies encourage applicants to be flexible about the age and gender of the child they are willing to adopt. Many Indian families prefer adopting infants, but it’s important to note that children above the age of 3, or children with special needs, are equally deserving of love and care. Being open to adopting older children can significantly reduce waiting times and may even lead to more rewarding parenting experiences.

This insight not only helps streamline the adoption process but also builds a more inclusive mindset, ensuring that every child finds the family they deserve.

1. Understanding the Adoption Process

The adoption process in India is governed by CARA under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, with updates in 2025 to streamline registration and home studies

• Step 1 – Registration: Register online at CARA’s website. – fill the application form and upload documents. Documents like ID proof, income proof, medical fitness certificate etc. have to be uploaded, and all these have to be submitted within 30 days
• Step 2 – Home Study Report (HSR): After registering on the CARA portal and uploading your documents, a social worker from an authorized agency will visit your home. This visit is meant to prepare a Home Study Report (HSR). The social worker checks your family environment, financial stability, health, and readiness to adopt.
  The purpose of the HSR is not to judge but to ensure that the child will be placed in a safe, loving, and stable home. This report is then uploaded to the CARA system for further processing..
• Step 3 – Matching Process: Once your eligibility is approved, CARA places you on a waiting list based on your seniority (the date your Home Study Report was uploaded). When your turn comes, you will receive child profiles on the CARA portal that match your preferences (such as age, gender, etc.). These profiles include important details like the child’s photo, health status, and background information. You then have a limited time (usually 2–4 days) to accept or refuse the referral.
• Step 4 – Pre-Adoption Foster Care and Court Order: After you accept a child’s referral, you meet the child and begin bonding. The child is then placed with you under Pre-Adoption Foster Care. This allows you to take the child home and start caring for them, but you are not yet the legal parents.
  To become the child’s legal parents, you must file an adoption petition in the District or Family Court. Once the judge reviews the case and issues an Adoption Order, you officially become the child’s legal mother and father. After this, a new birth certificate is issued with your names as parents
• Step 5 – Post-Adoption Follow-up and Counselling: Even after the adoption order, the process does not completely end. For up to two years, a social worker from the adoption agency will visit your home to ensure the child is safe, happy, and adjusting well. These visits are supportive, not intrusive, and are meant to guide families in the early stages of parenting.
  Counselling services are also provided to help both parents and the child deal with any emotional or behavioural challenges.
  For inter-country adoptions, follow-up reports are mandatory and must be regularly sent to CARA through authorized agencies or embassies, so CARA can monitor the child’s well-being even outside India.

When a child is adopted by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), or foreign nationals, CARA requires regular post-adoption reports to ensure the child’s safety and well-being abroad.

These reports are prepared by an Authorised Foreign Adoption Agency (AFAA) or the country’s Central Authority (if it is a Hague Convention country).

If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, then the Indian Embassy/Consulate helps in sending these reports to CARA.

Reports usually cover the child’s health, schooling, emotional adjustment, and relationship with adoptive parents.

The timeline generally is:

• First year → every 3 months
• Second year → every 6 months

Some cases may require reports for up to 3–4 years, depending on CARA’s directions and the child’s situation.

If reports are not submitted on time, CARA follows up with the concerned foreign authority or embassy to make sure the child’s welfare is tracked.

However, parents often face delays due to administrative inefficiencies or a lack of clarity in the home study process. For instance, a couple in Delhi shared on Quora how they waited over a year just for their home study report. Recent social media posts indicate that CARA has set a 2–3 month timeline for home studies in 2025. Staying persistent and regularly following up with agencies can help expedite such steps CARA’s helpline (1800-11-1311) for delays.

2. Can You Adopt a Child from a Different State?

Yes, Indian parents can adopt children from different states. The CARA portal allows you to view profiles of children across India. In 2025, CARA’s centralized system has reduced inter-state clearance times to 1–2 months in most cases. However, coordination between state authorities can delay the process.

Real-life example: A Mumbai-based parent shared how it took an additional 3 months to get inter-state clearances. Patience and consistent follow-ups are key in such cases.

3. Required Documentation for Adoption

Be prepared with these documents to avoid delays:

• Proof of identity (Aadhaar, PAN card)
• Address proof (utility bill, passport)
• Income proof (salary slips, ITR returns)
• Medical fitness certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Photographs of both parents

Real-life tip: Parents often forget to keep notarized copies, leading to rejection. Ensure you keep both original and notarized copies ready.

Rejections often occur due to mismatched Aadhaar names or outdated medical certificates. Use CARA’s checklist (www.cara.nic.in) and verify requirements with your agency.

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4. Cost of Child Adoption in India

Child Adoption in India is relatively affordable compared to other countries. The following costs apply:

• CARA registration fee: ₹1,000
• Home study and adoption agency fees: ₹50,000 to ₹75,000
• Legal expenses: ₹20,000 to ₹50,000
• Miscellaneous expenses like travel for inter-state adoptions or post-adoption medical checkups

A Bengaluru-based parent shared on X (Twitter) that unexpected costs, like notarization or document courier fees, can add up. It’s wise to budget an extra ₹10,000 for such expenses.

Budgeting Tip: Setting aside a contingency fund of ₹15,000–₹20,000 to cover unforeseen expenses

5. Common Challenges and Solutions

Delays in Matching a Child: Many parents face long waiting periods, especially for younger children. Tip: Be open to adopting older children or Special needs childrens to reduce wait times.

Incomplete Information: Parents have complained about limited health details of the child. Solution: Insist on complete medical records from the agency before finalizing.

Legal Formalities: Navigating court procedures can be daunting. Tip: Hire a lawyer experienced in adoption cases for smooth processing.

Societal Stigma: Some parents face judgment about adoption. We suggest joining support groups like those on AdoptionNetwork or CARA’s forums for community support.

Post-Adoption Support: Transitioning can be challenging. Utilize CARA’s post-adoption follow-ups or NGOs like Bal Asha Trust.

Final Thoughts
Child adoption in India is a beautiful journey, albeit one requiring patience and persistence. By understanding the process, preparing the right documents, and learning from real-life experiences, wannabe parents can navigate the system more efficiently. Always remember, your perseverance will result in a fulfilling parent-child bond that lasts a lifetime.