1.
DR ALKA MUKHERJEE
MBBS DGO FICOG FICMCH PGDCR PGDMLS
MA(PSY)
Director & Consultant At Mukherjee Multispecialty Hospital
MMC ACCREDITATED SPEAKER
MMC OBSERVER MMC MAO – 01017 / 2016
Present Position
 Director of Mukherjee Multispecialty Hospital
 Hon.Secretary INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
 Hon.Secretary NARCHI NAGPUR CHAPTER (2018-2020)
 Hon.Secretary AMWN (2018-2021)
 Hon.Secretary ISOPARB (2019-2021)
 Life member, IMA, NOGS, NARCHI, AMWN & Menopause Society,
India, Indian medico-legal & ethics association(IMLEA), ISOPRB,
HUMAN RIGHTS
 Founder Member of South Rapid Action Group, Nagpur.
 On Board of Super Specialty, GMC, IGGMC, AIIMS Nagpur,
NKPSIMS, ESIS and Treasury, Nagpur for “ WOMEN SEXUAL
HARASSMENT COMMITTEE.”
mukherjeehospital@yahoo.com
www.mukherjeehospital.com
https://www.facebook.com/
Mukherjee Multispeciality
https://www.instagram.com/
Achievement
 Winner of NOGS GOLD MEDAL – 2017-18
 Winner of BEST COUPLE AWARD in Social
Work - 2014
 APPRECIATION Award IMA - MS
 Past Position
 Organizing joint secretary ENDO-GYN
2019
 Vice President IMA Nagpur (2017-2018)
Vice President of NOGS(2016-2017)
Organizing joint secretary ENDO-GYN
Organizing secretary AMWICON – 2019
President Elect Nagpur Ob-Gy Society
Year of tenure(2021-22)

2.
Child Adoption Process in India
&
RESPONSIBILITIES
DR ALKA MUKHERJEE
NAGPUR
M.S.

3.
• Who is Eligible to Adopt a Child in India?
• When can A Child be Eligible To Be Adopted?
• What are the Normal Conditions to be
Fulfilled by Parents?
• How to Adopt a Child in India?
• Can Parents Ask for a Specific Child?
• What Documents are Required for Adopting a
Child?
• Responsibilities afterwards

4.
Fundamental Principles Governing Adoption
• Adoption shall be resorted to right to family for the OAS
children (Sec 56(1) of JJ Act)
• The child's best interests shall be paramount (Reg 3(a) of AR,
2017)
• The principle of placement of the child is in his own socio-
cultural environment (Reg 3(b) of AR, 2017)
• All adoptions shall be registered on CARINGS (Reg 3(c) of AR,
2017)
(CARINGS- Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System)
• Maintaining the confidentiality is mandatory (Sec 74 of JJ Act &
Reg 3(c) of AR, 2017) Process for Declaring a Child
(orphan, abandoned or surrendered)
Adoption means a legal process that allows someone to become the parent of a child, even
though the parent and child are not related by blood. But in every other way, adoptive
parents are the child's parents

5.
CARA SARA SAA AFAA DCPU
smooth functioning
of the adoption
process from time
to time, issues
Adoption
Guidelines laying
down procedures
and processes to be
followed by
different
stakeholders of the
adoption
programme.
a nodal body
within the State to
promote and
monitor adoption
and non-
institutional care in
coordination with
Central Adoption
Resource Authority.
recognized by the
State Government
under sub-section 4
of section 41 of the
Act for the purpose
of placing children
in adoption.
recognised as a
foreign social or
child welfare
agency that is
authorised by
Central Adoption
Resource Authority
on the
recommendation of
the concerned
Central Authority
or Government
Department of that
country for
coordinating all
matters relating to
adoption of an
Indian child by a
citizen of that
country.
unit set up by the
State Government
at district level
under Section 61A
of the Act. It
identifies orphan,
abandoned and
surrendered
children in the
district and gets
them declared
legally free for
adoption by Child
Welfare
Committee.
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA)
Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA)
Authorised Foreign Adoption Agency (AFAA)
District child protection unit (DCPU)
Stakeholders in adoption process
ADOPTION CENTRES IN INDIA

6.
• A child in India can be adopted by an Indian citizen, NRI or a foreign citizen. The
procedure of adoption is different for all three.
• Any person is eligible to adopt irrespective of their gender or marital status.
• In case a couple is adopting a child, they should have completed at least two
years of stable marriage and should have a joint consensus for adoption of the
child.
• The age difference between the child and the adoptive parents should not be
less than 25 years.
• Adoption process monitored by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
nodal agency to monitor and regulate in-country and intra-country adoption
and is a part of Ministry of women and child care.
Who is Eligible to Adopt a Child in India?

7.
What are the Normal Conditions to be Fulfilled by Parents?
CARA has defined the eligibility criteria for prospective
adoptive parents in order to be able to adopt a child.
• The prospective adoptive parents need to be physically, emotionally and
mentally, financially stable.
• The prospective parents should not be suffering from any life-threatening
diseases.
• Couples with three or more kids are not considered for adoption except in
case of special-needs children.
• A single female can adopt a child of any gender. However, a single male is
not eligible to adopt a girl child.
• A single parent cannot be more than 55 years of age.
• A couple cannot have a cumulative age of more than 110 years.
• The age of the parents as on date of registration should be as per CARA
guidelines in order to be eligible for adoption.

8.
When can A Child be Eligible To Be Adopted?
• As per the guidelines of the Central Government of India, any orphan,
abandoned or surrendered child, declared legally free for adoption by the
child welfare committee is eligible for adoption.
• In order to be adopted, a child needs to be “legally free”. On receipt of an
abandoned child, the District Child Protection Unit puts up an alert with the
child’s photograph and details in state-wide newspapers and request the
local police to trace the parents. The child is considered legally free for
adoption only after the police has given a report stating that the parents of
the child are non-traceable.
• Orphan when the child is without a legal parent or a guardian or the parents are not capable of taking care of the child
anymore.
• Abandoned on being deserted or unaccompanied by parents or a guardian and the child welfare committee has declared the
child to be abandoned.
• Surrendered child is one who has been relinquished on account of physical, social and emotional factors which are beyond the
control of parents or the guardian and is so declared by the child welfare committee.

9.
How to Adopt a Child in India?
The adoption process in India is governed
by multiple laws and adherence to the
same is overseen by the Central Adoption
Resource Authority.(CARA)

10.
Step 1 – Registration
• MANDATORY REGISTRATION:
(RIPA) (SPA)
• Prospective adoptive parents need
to get registered with an
authorized agencies like -
Recognized Indian Placement
Agencies (RIPA) and Special
Adoption Agency (SPA)
(Agencies which are allowed to make
such registrations in India.)
• The prospective adoptive
parents can visit the Adoption
Coordination Agency in their
area where:
a) The social worker will explain
the process and
b) Take them through the
formalities, paperwork and
c) General preparation required
for registration.

11.
Visit to the home of the prospective adoptive parent - By a social
worker of the registration agency – will do a home study.
The parents - to attend counseling sessions in order to understand
the motivation, preparation, strengths and weaknesses of the
prospective parents by CARA
As per CARA regulation - the home study needs to be completed
within 3 months from the date of registration.
REPORT - The conclusion from the home study and counselling
sessions - to the H’ble court.
Step 2 – Home Study and Counseling

12.
Step 3 – Referral of the Child
• The agency shall intimate
the interested couple
when-ever there is a
child ready for adoption.
1.Child
ready for
adoption
• The agency will share medical reports,
physical examination reports and other
relevant information with the couple
and also allow them to spend time with
the child once they are comfortable with
the details shared
2.Sharing
child’s
information

13.
Once the parents are comfortable with a
child, they will have to sign a few
documents pertaining to acceptance of the
child.
Step 4 – Acceptance of the Child

14.
Step 5 – Filing of Petition
Once the petition is
ready, the adoptive
parents will have to visit
the court and sign the
petition in front of the
court officer.
All necessary
documents are
submitted to a lawyer
who prepares a
petition to be
presented to the court.

15.
Step 6 – Pre-Adoption Foster Care
Once the petition is signed in the court
The adoptive parents can take the child to a pre-
adoption foster care center
Understand the habits of the child from the nursing
staff
Taking the child home.

16.
1. The parents have to attend a court hearing along with the
child.
2. The hearing is held in a closed room with a judge.
3. The judge may ask a few questions and will mention the
amount which needs to be invested in the name of the
child.
Step 7 – Court Hearing

17.
Once the receipt of investment made is shown,
the judge shall pass the adoption orders.
Step 8 – Court Order

18.
Post completion of the adoption:
A. the agency needs to submit follow up
reports to the court on the child’s well-
being.
B. This may continue for 1-2 years.
Step 9: Follow Up

19.
What Documents are Required for Adopting a Child?
Following is the list of documents to be prepared for the
adoption process:
i. Adoption application
ii. 4 x 6 size photographs – 4 copies of husband and wife
together
iii. Marriage certificate and proof of age
iv. Reason for adoption
v. Latest HIV and Hepatitis B report of the couple
vi. Income certificate
vii. Proof of residence
viii. Investment details
ix. Reference letter from 3 people
x. Any other document which may be required by the agency
or the court
Source: Documents Required – CARA

20.
Key Points to Remember for Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs)
Do's Don'ts
Only adopt from Specialised Adoption Agencies
(SAAs) recognised by State Governments.
Do not approach any nursing home, hospital,
maternity home, unauthorised institution or
individual for adoption.
Read the Guidelines carefully on the website and
follow the due procedure.
Do not upload any incorrect document, else your
registration will be cancelled.
Follow the steps for completing your registration. Do not pay any additional adoption charges other
than what is prescribed in CARA Guidelines.
Please upload documents as per instructions. Keep away from touts/middlemen. There is no
role of touts/middlemen in adoption. They will
mislead you to adopt a child illegally.
For adoption related charges, please refer
Schedule-13 of the Guidelines Governing
Adoption of Children (2015). Always make
payment by cheque or draft and collect your
receipt.
Through illegal adoption, you may unintentionally
become part of child trafficking network. Save
yourself from legal ramifications.
In case of query, you may contact Toll Free
Helpline No. 1800-11-1311
or carahdesk.wcd@nic.in

21.
Follow-up of progress of adopted
child.
• (1) The Specialized Adoption Agency which has prepared the
Home Study Report, shall prepare the post-adoption follow-
up report on six monthly basis for two years from the date of
pre-adoption foster placement with the prospective
adoptive parents, in the format as provided in Schedule XII
and upload the same in Child Adoption Resource
Information and Guidance System along with photographs of
the child.

22.
(2) In case the adoptive parents relocate, they shall inform
the agency which has conducted their home study and the
District Child Protection Unit of the district where they
relocate.
(3) The District Child Protection Unit of the district of the
current residence shall prepare the post-adoption follow up
report and upload the same in Child Adoption Resource
Information and Guidance System.

23.
(4) The Specialized Adoption Agency or the District Child
Protection Unit as the case may be, shall arrange for
counseling the adoptive parents and adoptee by social
worker or link them to the counseling center set up at the
Authority or State Agency, whenever required.
(5) In case the child is having adjustment problem with the
adoptive parents, the Specialized Adoption Agency shall
arrange the required counseling for such adoptive parents
and adoptees or link them to the counseling center set up at
the Authority or State Agency, wherever required.

24.
(6) In case of disruption in in-country adoption. -
(a) at the stage of pre-adoption foster care before filing a petition,
the child shall be taken back by the Specialized Adoption Agency
concerned with information to District Child Protection Unit;
(b) at the stage of pre-adoption foster-care after the petition has
been filed in the court, the child shall be taken back by the
Specialized Adoption Agency and adoption application shall be
withdrawn from the court concerned with intimation to District
Child Protection Unit;
(c) where the child has been taken to another State during the
adoption process, the repatriation of the child shall be
coordinated by State Adoption Resource Agency in the State
where the child is residing and the State of origin.

25.
(7) In case of dissolution, the application for annulment of
adoption order shall be filed in the court which issued the
adoption order.
(8) After disruption or dissolution of adoption, as the case
may be, the status of the child shall be updated as legally
free for adoption in Child Adoption Resource Information
and Guidance System by the Specialized Adoption Agency.

26.
Adoption procedure - In-country
• Parents register online on CARINGS
(www.cara.nic.in)
• Select preferred Adoption Agency for
HSR (Home Study Report) and State
• User ID and Password generated
• Upload documents within 30 days of
registration
• Registration number generated
• Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA)
conducts Home Study Report (HSR ) of
the PAPs and uploads it on CARINGS
within 30 days from the date of
submission of required documents on
CARINGS
• Suitability of Prospective Adoptive
Parent (PAP)s is determined (if not
found suitable, PAPs informed with
reasons for rejection)
• PAPs reserve one child, as per their
preference from upto 6 children
• PAPs visit the adoption agency within 15
days from the date of reservation and
finalise
• If the child is not finalized within
stipulated time, the PAPs come down in
the seniority list
• On acceptance of the child by the PAPs,
SAA completes the referral and adoption
process (on CARINGS)
• PAPs take the child in pre - adoption foster
care and SAA files petition in the court
• Adoption Court order issued
• Post-adoption follow-up report is
conducted for a period of two years