As per information available on the Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS), a web-based management information system for adoption, the waiting period for PAPs in Mumbai and Delhi for adoption of a child is in the range of 1-3 years.
The procedure for adoption has been simplified and made expeditious with the introduction of ‘Guidelines Governing the Adoption of Children 2011’, which inter alia lay down timelines under Schedule VIII, for the major steps in the adoption process.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has also introduced CARINGS for the purpose of streamlining and monitoring adoption procedures across the country.
Further, under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) of the Government of India in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, introduced in 2009, financial support is provided to State Governments to establish State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA) to monitor adoption processes in the State, as well as for Specialised Adoption Agencies to facilitate their functioning.
As stipulated in para 3 (b) and 8(5) of the ‘Guidelines Governing the Adoption of Children 2011’, preference is given for placement of the child in adoption within the country.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
