Srinagar: As many as 81 children were adopted in Jammu and Kashmir through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) during the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26, according to figures presented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Lok Sabha.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said that 39 children were adopted in Jammu and Kashmir during 2024-25, while another 42 children were adopted during 2025-26.
No child was adopted in the Union Territory of Ladakh through CARA during the two financial years, according to the data shared by the Ministry.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry for the administration of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016, and the Adoption Regulations, 2022 governing adoption through CARA.
Thakur said that under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) are empowered to take decisions concerning children in need of care and protection, including orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children.
She said District Magistrates have been empowered to issue adoption orders under Sections 58(3) and 61 of the JJ Act, 2015, read with Regulation 36 of the Adoption Regulations, 2022. The regulations also prescribe timelines for various stakeholders involved in the adoption process.
According to the minister, the waiting period for Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) depends largely on the availability of children declared legally free for adoption by the Child Welfare Committees. It also depends on the age group preferred by prospective parents.
To reduce delays and ensure transparency, CARA has digitised the adoption process through the Adoption Module under the Mission Vatsalya portal. The Ministry also regularly monitors and follows up with State Governments and Union Territory administrations and other stakeholders to expedite adoption cases in accordance with the timelines prescribed under the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
The minister further said the government is implementing the centrally sponsored Mission Vatsalya scheme across all States and Union Territories on a predefined cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States/UTs.
The scheme provides both institutional and non-institutional care for children in difficult circumstances, including orphaned children. Child Care Institutions established under Mission Vatsalya provide age-appropriate education, vocational training, recreation, healthcare and counselling, among other services.
The scheme also supports Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) registered under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, where adoptable children below six years of age are provided residential care.
States and Union Territories have been advised to establish at least one SAA in every district in accordance with Sections 65 and 66 of the JJ Act, 2015, read with the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
“As of July 29, 2026, a total of 795 SAAs had been approved under the Mission Vatsalya scheme across the country”, Thakur said.
All SAAs have been mandatorily onboarded onto the integrated CARINGS-Mission Vatsalya system, which facilitates end-to-end digital processing of adoption cases, including referral, matching and documentation. Compliance is monitored through real-time dashboards at the Central and State levels, besides periodic review meetings.
Thakur said nationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, along with localised outreach programmes, are also being conducted under Mission Vatsalya to promote adoption and foster care.
She added CARA, regularly undertakes awareness and outreach programmes across the country, including workshops, seminars and orientation sessions for stakeholders. Awareness about legal adoption procedures and the importance of adopting children through lawful channels is also promoted through print, electronic and social media platforms.
