Annexure I - Functions of Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

The functions of the CARA will be as follows:

1. To act as the Central Authority with regard to Adoption matters as envisaged under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Inter country Adoption, 1993.
2. To act as a clearing house of information in regard to children available for inter-country adoption as well as for in-country adoption.
3. To receive applications or copies of applications along with requisite documents (as prescribed by the Supreme Court of India in CRL (WP) No. 1171/1982 in the matter of Shri Laxmi Kant Pandey Vs. Union of India and Others) of foreigners desirous of taking Indian children in adoption through a recognized social or child welfare agency in the foreign country or through an organization owned or operated by the Government in that country.
4. Whenever such applications are received directly by Central Adoption Resource Authority to forward such applications to one of the Indian social or child welfare agencies recognized by CARA for processing applications of foreign parents for adoption in the competent court.
5. To coordinate with the State Governments for promoting in-country adoption and all other related adoption matters including regulation and monitoring of RIPAs and ACAs.
6. To recognize/renew the Indian Placement Agencies as accredited bodies for processing inter-country adoption cases.
7. To enlist/renew enlistment of foreign adoption agencies as authorized bodies to sponsor applications for Inter country Adoption of Indian children.
8. To recognize/renew an Adoption Coordinating Agency (ACA) to promote Indian adoption.
9. To issue “No Objection Certificates” in inter-country adoption cases.
10. To receive particulars of children placed under ACA assistance from all the ACAs for the purpose of establishing a Central Information Pool on such children. At the same time, information relating to the number of prospective adoptive parents registered with ACAs will also be obtained.
11. To receive periodical data in the prescribed format from Recognised Indian Placement Agencies (RIPAs) regarding children in their care and children placed in adoption, both in-country and Inter-country. At the same time, information relating to the number of prospective adoptive parents registered with them will also be obtained.
12. To inspect and evaluate the working of RIPAs and ACAs through State Governments or any other agency or body constituted for the purpose.
13. To call for annual audited statements of account from Recognised Indian Placement Agencies (RIPAs) and Adoption Coordinating Agencies (ACAs).
14. To call for annual statements from Enlisted Foreign Adoption Agencies on Indian children placed by them in the prescribed format.
15. To send yearly data to Indian Diplomatic Missions abroad in respect of Indian children taken abroad.
16. To receive periodical reports about the progress of the children taken abroad by parents for the purpose of adoption in a Proforma prescribed by CARA from all Enlisted Foreign Adoption Agencies (EFAAs) in foreign countries through India’s Diplomatic Mission in the country where such agencies are located and to examine such reports and to take such follow-up action as deemed necessary.
17. To organize and arrange periodical meetings of VCAs working in the field of adoption for discussing matters of common interest.
18. To arrange sponsorship of children through community support by means of publicity and awareness programmes.
19. To mobilize community opinion and community resources in furtherance of adoption of children in the country itself and take all other measures necessary for the promotion of in-country adoption of children as well as welfare of children generally.
20. To arrange training programmes for social workers and other engaged in child welfare activity specially in the rehabilitation of children by means of adoption, and also to bring about standardization of training courses conducted by the voluntary agencies.
21. To assist the courts cross-check or re-verify the information furnished to them by various sources including the placement agencies and scrutinizing agencies or to provide an independent advice in matters relating to adoption of children.
22. To initiate action on any other activity relating to adoption as a child’s right to a family.
23. To enter into bilateral agreement with Foreign Central Authorities wherever necessary as prescribed under the Hague Convention.
24. To liaise with concerned Central Authority/other appropriate Authority, Enlisted Agency and RIPA in case of disruption of a child placed in inter-country adoption and to take action in the best interest of the child.
25. To take suitable action against any recognised/enlisted agency on notice of any unethical practice in inter-country adoption or on violation of the present Guidelines and further, to request the competent authority to cause an inquiry/investigation and to take appropriate action against such defaulting person/Agencies.

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