The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

Context: The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is reviewing the Adoption Regulations, 2022 to address procedural bottlenecks and improve adoption of special needs children, including those with treatable conditions.

About The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):

What It Is?

• The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is the statutory apex body and nodal authority for the adoption of Indian children (specifically orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children) under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India.

Established In & Statutory Status:

• Originally established in 1990 as an autonomous body to oversee and streamline child adoption procedures.
• Statutory Recognition: Conferred full statutory status under Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021).
• International Mandate: Designated as the Central Authority of India for inter-country adoptions under the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (ratified by India in 2003).

Aim: To ensure transparent, ethical and child-centric adoptions, prevent trafficking, and secure safe, permanent families for orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children.

Key Functions of CARA:

• Promotion of In-Country & Inter-State Adoptions: Facilitates domestic adoptions in close coordination with State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs), and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), ensuring Indian resident families are given first priority.
• Regulation & Oversight of Inter-Country Adoptions: Regulates cross-border adoptions for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and foreign prospective adoptive parents through Authorized Foreign Adoption Agencies (AFAAs) and diplomatic missions.
• Formulation of Binding Adoption Regulations: Frames, updates, and reviews statutory rules and operational guidelines (such as the Adoption Regulations, 2022) to address procedural ambiguities and streamline administrative timelines.
• Digital Management via the CARINGS Portal: Operates the centralized online platform CARINGS (Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System, integrated with Mission Vatsalya) to ensure end-to-end transparency, confidential record maintenance, and queue tracking.
• Accreditation, Capacity Building & Special Needs Placement: Empanels and monitors specialized adoption agencies, sets norms for pre-adoption foster care, and designs targeted campaigns to place older children and those with special medical needs into supportive families.