Child adoption is becoming increasingly common in India, not just among childless couples, but even among those with biological children and singles too. As adoption is a legal process, governed by specific laws, it helps to know the proper procedure and stick to it.

In India, adoption of Indian children is regulated by the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This body enables Indian and foreign nationals to adopt Indian children within the legal framework. There are 74 Indian placement agencies recognized by CARA to carry out in-country and inter-country adoptions.

Eligibility for Adoption
To adopt a child, the combined age of a couple should not be more that 90 years, and the individual age of single parent should not be more than 45 years. In the case of special children, the age of the prospective parent may be relaxed to a maximum of 55 years.

The Procedure
To adopt a child in India, a couple will need to go through the following procedure.

1. You need to fill a registration form at your local Recognized Indian Placement Agency (RIPA) or Adoption Coordinating Agency.
2. You will need to submit several important documents like Income certificate, Proof of age, Police clearance certificate, Proof of marriage, Three reference letters, Colour photograph of the couple, LIC policy (optional), Asset details, Medical certificate and HIV test report - along with the registration form.
3. Most agencies offer pre-adoption counseling, explaining the pros and cons of adoption. You can mention your preferences of a male or female baby and other specifications.
4. Once the registration is complete, the agency will conduct a home study to assess the financial soundness and marital relationship between the couple and support from relatives.
5. The adoption agency will conduct a selection meeting to select a child among the few that the agency has short listed.
6. Medical history of the identified child, to the extent known, will be provided to the couple. The adoptive parents can also get a complete medical check-up of the child done, by a Pediatrician.
7. The baby is handed over to the couple for pre-adoption foster care.
8. After the foster care period of about four months, the adoption agency will file the papers in the appropriate court (family or district). The court will then send a notice to the two scrutiny bodies - Council of Child Welfare and Indian Council of Social Welfare - to submit a report to the court after examining the child's adoptive home.
9. The court will issue the adoption order on the basis of the report submitted by the scrutiny officers. On receipt of the court's order and registration of the Adoption Deed, the adoption process is complete - and the child is finally yours!
10. A social worker from the adoption agency may periodically visit the adoptive parents for up to one year after the adoption. This is to assess and review the well-being of the child and his/ her bonding with the adoptive parents.

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