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Adoption Topics..

You are here : home > Adoption > Private Contracts vs. Legal Adoption > Adoption Rules in India

Adoption Rules in India

Adoption Rules in India

Are you considering adopting a child? Here are some of the basic rules you need to know about this process.

Who is allowed to adopt a child?

In India, an Indian, Non Resident Indian (NRI), or a foreign citizen may adopt a child. There are specific guidelines and documentation for each group of prospective adoptive parents. A single female or a married couple can adopt a child. In India, a single male is usually not eligible to be an adoptive parent. An exception to this rule is the noted dance instructor Sandip Soparrkar, who has recently adopted a young boy. This is a special case rather than the norm. A single man desiring to adopt a child may be eligible if he applies through a registered agency. However, he will still only be able to adopt a male child.

What are the conditions to be fulfilled by an adoptive parent?

An adoptive parent should be medically fit and financially able to care for a child. A person wishing to adopt a child must be at least 21 years old. There is no legal upper age limit for parents but most adoptive agencies set their own benchmarks with regard to age. For a child who is less than a year old, the adoptive parents can have a maximum combined age of 90 years. Also, neither parent must be older than 45 years.
In the case of adoption of older children, the age of the parents may be relaxed accordingly. For example, for a one-year-old child, the age limit is 46 years, for a two-year-old child, it is 47 years and so on. The upper age limit for an adopted child is 12 years while for an adoptive parent it is 55 years. In the case of an adopted child with special needs, the age limit may be relaxed marginally by the state government, depending on the evaluation of the case. However, in all cases, the age of the parent cannot exceed 55 years.

What are the laws governing adoption?

Indian citizens who are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, or Buddhists are allowed to formally adopt a child. The adoption is under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act of 1956. Under this act, a single parent or married couple are not permitted to adopt more than one child of the same sex. Foreign citizens, NRIs, and those Indian nationals who are Muslims, Parsis, Christians or Jews are subject to the Guardian and Wards Act of 1890. Under this act, the adoptive parent is only the guardian of the child until she reaches 18 years of age.
Foreign citizens and NRIs are supposed to formally adopt their child according to the adoption laws and procedures in the country of their residence. This must be carried out within two years of the individual becoming a child's guardian. There is also a Juvenile Justice Act of 2000, a part of which deals with adoption of children by non-Hindu parents. However, this act is applicable only to children who have been abandoned or abused and not to those children who have been voluntarily put up for adoption.

Can a parent ask for a specific child?

An adoptive parent is allowed to ask for a child, as per her preferences. For example a parent may ask for a child of a certain age, gender (if it is the first child in the family), skin colour, religion, special features, health condition, etc. However, greater the specifications, more difficult it is to find a child who conforms to them. This restricts the pool of children available for adoption.
Depending on the adoptive parent's desired details, children are scrutinised to find a suitable match. When a child with the desired characteristics is found, she is shown to the prospective parents. In case the parents are unhappy with the selection, about two more children with the same characteristics may be presented to the parents.

The entire adoption process takes some months to complete. However, when all the hurdles are cleared, you are ready to welcome your new child to the family.





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Zubin
Zubin.1 year ago
A senior citizen residing in Mumbai (India) wants to adopt an adult boy aged 23 years as he is looking after him. Kindly advise on adoption procedure etc.,
 
 
 
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Anindita Dey
Anindita Dey.2 years ago
Hi, i am a poor child , i want to do Higher study , but my parents They don't want to teach me, they want to marry me, but I want to study, please someone adopt me
3
 
 
 
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.6 months ago
are you adopted now ??
 
 
 
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.2 years ago
Hi All,

This is Karthick, I'm 26 years old, working, lost my parents years aso looking for a parents/brothers who gives me love and care. if any one who is ready to take me to part of our family. please do mail- karthichdio@gmail.com
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.3 years ago
I need parents this my mail: mohsinmohsin07170717@gmail.com

mohsin mohsin 07170717 @ gmail . com
 
 
 
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Harshita
Harshita.3 years ago
hello, im harshita .hope you have sometime to know me. im 23 years young with a very hated baby face stil. im actually working now but i didnt enjoy my life a daughter..i didnt feel what a family love is..
My current parents are hating me because I Love and other religion boy and started torturing me and I want family with can support care love me I wish I can get that kind of family.

i want someone that would care enought to hug me and kiss me as there daugther..i want also to care for my parents soon..

how i wish..

im just a simple girl whos begging for a love of a parents.. my email id harshita1pawar@gmail.com
 
 
 
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.3 years ago
Hello I'm Moseen,and I'm 21 years old graduated , my parents are threw me out last year since then I'm leaving single I looking for a parents who can adopt facing a rockdown times in my life I'm fedup being living as a single .. please get me out of this world. I'm good to my new parents. I didn't find anyone to ask abt me ym799087@gmail.com
 
 
 
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.3 years ago
And my mail id is ym799087@gmail.com
 
 
 
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.3 years ago
Hello I'm Moseen,and I'm 21 years old graduated , my parents are threw me out last year since then I'm leaving single I looking for a parents who can adopt facing a rockdown times in my life I'm fedup being living as a single .. please get me out of this world
 
 
 
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.4 years ago
A family wants to give their unborn baby for adoption to any Indian family coz they are unable to give a good future to the child.
They already have 4 children.
Interested adoptive family email - babyshelterindia1991 at gmail.com
Or WhatsApp - nine five 8 two 6 nine two 99 seven
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Pewa
Pewa.4 years ago
I would like to adopt a baby girl. Please i really need a baby ..
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