The Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), a statutory body under the ministry of women and child development, has decided to raise the in-country adoption fee from Rs 40,000 to Rs 55,000. The apex child adoption body has already submitted a proposal in this regard to the finance ministry.
The move could make adoptions by prospective parents more expensive. At present, CARA charges no adoption facilitation fee and the fee charged is for the child care institution where the child was adopted from.
The People’s Group for Child Adoption in India, an online platform for adoptive parents in India, has stated that the increase in price could further disincentivize people from adopting children. The group has also brought stated that this could prevent adoptions among people who are willing to adopt but are not financially capable to do so.