Easier, faster child adoption process on the cards

A fresh set of guidelines drafted by the women and child development (WCD) ministry is set to make adoption simpler and quicker.

A fresh set of guidelines drafted by the women and child development (WCD) ministry is set to make adoption simpler and quicker.

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The ministry has proposed cutting down the waiting period for adopting a child fro two years to as early as three months.

On account of the cumbersome adoption procedure, presently the average waiting list of prospective parents who want to adopt children is close to 10,000. “The guidelines, likely to be notified in the next two months, will streamline the entire process and make it smooth and transparent,” said a WCD ministry official.

Under the new guidelines, once a prospective parent registers online at the Central Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System and the application gets accepted, he/she would be able to view the details and photographs of all children who are up for adoption and make their choice online.

Also, non-resident Indians (NRIs) living abroad who want to adopt children shall be treated at par with Indians in terms of priority. Currently, only 20% of the total children who are up for adoption are given to NRIs.

“We have uploaded the draft guidelines on our website (www.wcd.nic.in) inviting comments/ suggestions from stakeholders after which we will notify it,” said a WCD ministry official.

The rule will allow single parents to adopt a child. However, a single male is not eligible to adopt a girl child. Besides, no child will be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship. A single parent will cease to be eligible if he attains the age of 55 years.