New Delhi, 16 March (H.S.): The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, issued three pivotal office memoranda to fortify India's adoption ecosystem, prioritizing transparency, child rights protection, and meticulous record-keeping.

Dispatched to State Adoption Resource Agencies across states and union territories, the guidelines mandate exhaustive statutory inquiries before declaring any child—orphan or abandoned—legally free for adoption under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (amended 2021).

Efforts to trace parents must adhere to timelines, while surrendered children require strict two-month reconsideration periods before eligibility.

CARA emphasized perpetual responsibility for records even if Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs) or Child Care Institutions (CCIs) close or merge, deeming destruction or disposal a punishable offense to avert loss of vital documentation.

A third directive invokes Section 74, imposing an absolute ban on disclosing children's identities via photos, videos, or details on social media or public platforms, with severe penalties under Section 74(3) for violations by officials or institutions.

These measures aim to instill accountability, uphold children's dignity and rights, and streamline processes; CARA urged all states for rigorous compliance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar