About the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):

Why in News? The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has recently issued directives to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) to institutionalize structured counselling services at every stage of the adoption process:

Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains

Prelims :  CARA/SARS

Mains  : GS1 ( Social Issues)

Stages:

• Pre-Adoption Counselling
• During the Adoption Process
• Post-Adoption Counselling

These measures aim to make the adoption journey smoother and more transparent for adoptive parents, biological parents (in case of surrender), and adopted children.

Why Counselling in Adoption Is Important:

Pre-Adoption Stage:

• Helps adoptive parents understand the emotional, social, and legal implications.
• Prepares biological parents (in surrender cases) for the decision’s consequences.

During Adoption:

• Guides parents through complex legal and documentation procedures.
• Ensures psychological readiness to bond with the child.

Post-Adoption Stage:

• Addresses adjustment issues, identity formation, and emotional bonding.
• Provides long-term support for adopted children dealing with trauma, loss, or curiosity about biological roots.

Legal Framework Governing Adoption in India:

• Adoption in India is regulated primarily by two laws:

The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA), 1956:

• Applicable to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.
• Governs only domestic adoptions within the Hindu community.
• Allows the adoption of both boys and girls, but subject to specific conditions (e.g., adoptive parents must not have a child of the same gender).

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015:

• Applies to all Indian citizens, irrespective of religion.
• Regulates adoption through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).
• Makes adoption legally binding and transparent, ensuring the child’s best interest.

 About Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):

• Statutory Body under the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
• Established in 1990 to streamline the adoption process in India.
• Became a statutory body under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

Functions of CARA:

• Regulates and monitors adoptions within India and for foreign nationals.
• Ensures ethical, transparent, and legal adoption processes.
• Maintains the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS)—a centralized portal for adoption cases.
• Handles both in-country and inter-country adoptions, ensuring that inter-country adoptions comply with The Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993.

 About the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993:

• An international treaty to protect children from trafficking and illegal adoptions.
• India is a signatory and follows its guidelines.
• The convention ensures that inter-country adoptions are ethical, transparent, and prioritize the child’s welfare.

 Way Forward:

1. Capacity Building:
   Train social workers and counsellors to handle sensitive adoption issues.
2. Awareness Programs:
   Promote awareness about legal adoption to reduce stigma and prevent illegal child transfers.
3. Digital Tools:
   Expand CARINGS for better tracking, matching, and counselling services.
4. Monitoring Mechanisms:
   Establish feedback systems to evaluate the effectiveness of counselling support.

Conclusion:

CARA’s decision to strengthen counselling support at all stages of adoption is a progressive step towards ensuring the best interests of the child, aligning with national laws and global conventions. It also promotes a more informed, sensitive, and humane adoption ecosystem in India.