Record 4,515 child adoptions in FY 2024-25, highest in 12 years
India recorded 4,515 child adoptions in FY 2024-25, the highest since 2015-16, of which 4,155 were domestic, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on 1 April 2025.
Summary
India recorded 4,515 child adoptions in the financial year 2024-25, the highest since 2015-16, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said on 1 April 2025. Of these, 4,155 were domestic adoptions. An identification drive by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) brought 8,598 newly identified children into the adoption pool, and 245 new adoption agencies were set up with state governments. Following Supreme Court directions, CARA classified children in five groups: orphan, abandoned, surrendered, children with no visitation, and children with unfit guardians. In 2024 CARA added foster care and foster adoption modules to its CARINGS portal, and new modules for in-country relative and step-parent adoptions cut average processing time to 3-4 months.
Key facts
- Adoptions FY 2024-25
- 4,515, highest since 2015-16
- Domestic
- 4,155
- Newly identified children
- 8,598
- New adoption agencies
- 245
- Authority
- Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
- Portal
- CARINGS; relative and step-parent adoptions in 3-4 months
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many child adoptions were recorded in India in FY 2024-25, the highest since 2015-16?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 4,515
PIB (WCD): India recorded 4,515 child adoptions in FY 2024-25, the highest since 2015-16; 4,155 were domestic and 8,598 children were newly identified.
Which portal of the Central Adoption Resource Authority received foster care and foster adoption modules in 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — CARINGS
PIB (WCD): in 2024, CARA introduced Foster Care and Foster Adoption Modules on the CARINGS portal.