About adopting a child from India

About adopting a child from India

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In India, the rules for adoption vary for different communities. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains are allowed to adopt under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956. But Muslims and Christians can only be appointed guardians to the child. Indians living abroad and foreigners who apply for adopting an Indian child, are granted guardianship by courts in accordance with the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, following which they are allowed to take the child back home with them. Then, they are required to adopt the child as per the laws of the country where they live.

A child has to be rejected by at least three Indian families before it can be offered for foster care abroad. As far as people living abroad are concerned, they have to approach placement agencies in their own countries. Their applications are matched with the names of children with Indian agencies, then the embassies of both countries coordinate and submit periodic homestudy reports to the authorities.

2002-05-24

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2002-05-24