The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has launched the theme for Adoption Awareness 2026, reinforcing its commitment to promoting legal, safe, transparent and child-centric adoption across the country.
The theme for Adoption Awareness 2026 is:
Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future.
Say No to Illegal Adoption!
The theme was formally launched by Smt. Bhavna Saxena, CEO, CARA, during a Live Morning Show on DD National, marking the beginning of a sustained nationwide awareness initiative to promote legal adoption and prevent illegal adoption practices.
During the programme, Smt. Bhavna Saxena, CEO, CARA, emphasised the importance of following the legal adoption process and said, “Adoption is not a shortcut—it is a sacred responsibility. Through CARA and the legally prescribed channels, we safeguard the dignity, rights and future of every orphaned, abandoned or surrendered child. Every child deserves a safe, loving and secure family—not secrecy, uncertainty or risk.”
CARA has been undertaking several measures to strengthen awareness, coordination and enforcement against illegal adoption practices, including enhanced coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, sustained awareness and capacity building at the State, district and community levels remain critical to ensuring that every child is protected and every adoption is carried out through the prescribed legal process.
Year-Round Outreach to Promote Legal Adoption
Under the theme “Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption,” several outreach activities will be conducted throughout the year to create widespread awareness among citizens and key stakeholders.
As part of the initiative, State/UT-level Adoption Awareness Workshops are being organised from September 2026 onwards, moving beyond the earlier approach of limiting adoption awareness activities to the month of November. These workshops will provide a platform for stakeholders to understand the statutory adoption process, strengthen inter-departmental coordination, identify and address illegal adoption practices, and reinforce the principle of the best interest of the child.
The campaign will involve a wide range of stakeholders, including Women and Child Development Departments, Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, Specialised Adoption Agencies, Child Care Institutions, Police, Health Departments, Judiciary, Legal Services Authorities, hospitals and nursing homes, medical professionals, ASHA and ANM workers, civil society organisations, media and digital platforms, among others.
Adoption Awareness Workshop in Delhi on 10 September 2026
As part of this nationwide initiative, CARA will organise an Adoption Awareness Workshop in Delhi on Thursday, 10 September 2026, at the Delhi Secretariat, New Delhi in collaboration of Department of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Delhi and concerned authorities.
The workshop will focus on strengthening awareness regarding the legal adoption framework and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in ensuring that children in need of care and protection receive appropriate care, protection and rehabilitation through lawful mechanisms.
The workshop will also emphasise the importance of timely reporting of children found separated from their guardians, lawful surrender procedures, declaration of children as legally free for adoption, and adherence to the prescribed adoption procedure.
A Collective Responsibility to Protect Every Child
The campaign seeks to ensure that prospective adoptive parents and the general public understand that adoption is a legal and child-centric process—not a private arrangement between individuals.
Citizens are encouraged to follow only the legally prescribed adoption process through CARA and the designated authorities/agencies and to report suspected instances of illegal adoption to the competent authorities.
Through sustained, year-round awareness and coordinated action, CARA aims to build a stronger ecosystem in which every child’s dignity, identity, rights, safety and future are protected.
