The Central Adoption Resource Authority has issued fresh directions to State Adoption Resource Agencies across States and Union Territories to strengthen compliance with adoption procedures, protect adoptee records, and prevent disclosure of children’s identities. The measures are linked to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as amended in 2021, and the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
Legal Free Status for Adoption
CARA has reiterated that no orphan or abandoned child can be declared legally free for adoption without completing the required inquiry, tracing efforts, and restoration process within the prescribed timeline. For surrendered children, the mandatory two-month reconsideration period must be strictly observed before the child is declared legally free for adoption. These safeguards are meant to ensure due process and protect the child’s best interests.
Safeguarding Adoption Records
The Authority has clarified that records relating to children and adoptees must be preserved even if a specialised adoption agency or child care institution is closed, de-registered, merged, or transferred. States and Union Territories have been asked to ensure secure custody of both physical and digital records and to arrange their transfer to the designated authority. The aim is to support future root search requests by adult adoptees seeking information about their origins.
Confidentiality and Identity Protection
CARA has also directed strict compliance with Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which bars disclosure of the identity of children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law. No photographs, videos, or identifying details of children in adoption institutions should be shared, including on social media. States and Union Territories have been asked to sensitise officials and take action in cases of violation.
Significance for Adoption Governance
The directions seek to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection in India’s adoption system. They also reinforce confidentiality under Section 99 of the Act and underline the legal duty to preserve records and protect the dignity and privacy of children and adoptees.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026