Understanding The Child Adoption Gap In Guwahati

Adoptions in Guwahati are notably low due to a lengthy process, bureaucratic delays, and an imbalance between available children and prospective parents, highlighting systemic challenges

Adoption, often seen as a noble act of providing a family to a child in need, faces major challenges in Guwahati. Despite the city’s progress and development, the number of adoptions remains surprisingly low. With only two government adoption centers in the city, one in Birubari and another run by Maitri Mandir, the figures reflect a shocking reality. In a year, Maitri Mandir handles approximately 5-6 adoptions, while the center in Birubari manages around 10. This situation raises an essential question: Why are adoptions in Guwahati so few?

One of the primary reasons for the low number of adoptions in Guwahati, and indeed across India, is the lengthy and complex adoption process. Prospective parents often face a long wait, sometimes extending to two years or more, before they can bring a child home. This waiting period begins with the registration on the Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS), an online platform under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).

The adoption process involves several stages aimed at ensuring the well-being of the child. After registration, prospective parents must upload nine relevant documents, including identity proofs, financial statements, and medical records. Following this, a social worker and a protection officer from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) visit the prospective parent's home to assess their suitability for adoption. This home study report plays a crucial role in determining whether the applicant can proceed with the adoption.

Talking to GPlus, a social worker from the adoption centre said, "Once the home study report is approved, a waiting number is allotted to the prospective parent, signifying their position in the queue to be matched with a child. The matching process is another significant hurdle, as it is influenced by the preferences of the prospective parents and the availability of children who are legally free for adoption."

An amendment to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Amendment Act, which came into effect in September 2022, has shifted the responsibility of issuing adoption orders from district courts to District Magistrates (DMs). This change was intended to streamline the process and reduce the time taken from the stage when a child becomes legally free for adoption to the finalization of the adoption. However, despite this amendment, the ground reality in Guwahati suggests that the process remains time-consuming and cumbersome.

The social worker from the centre also added, "The amendment was a step in the right direction, but its implementation has been slow. The time taken to process adoption cases still leaves much to be desired. This delay is a significant deterrent for many prospective parents, who may be dissuaded by the lengthy wait times."

Another factor contributing to the low adoption rates in Guwahati is the imbalance between the number of prospective adoptive parents and the availability of children for adoption. The SARA official highlighted this issue, stating, "The number of adoptions is low because there are more waiting parents than available children. This imbalance is what's keeping the adoption numbers down"

This imbalance can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, not all children in orphanages or care homes are legally free for adoption. A child can only be considered for adoption after all efforts to reunite them with their biological family have been exhausted, and after the child is declared legally free by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). This legal process can take a considerable amount of time, further delaying the availability of children for adoption.

A parent currently going through the adoption process talking to GPlus said, "The adoption process in India is extremely slow. It can take at least two years to adopt a child, which is really tough for us as we are ready to start our family but are stuck waiting because of all the red tape." They added that the long wait is emotionally draining, making it hard to stay hopeful when the process drags on for so long.

Moreover, the financial implications of adoption are also a concern. While the adoption fees themselves may not be exorbitant, the costs associated with preparing the required documents, undergoing medical tests, and making the necessary home adjustments can add up. For some prospective parents, these financial burdens can be a significant deterrent.

Talking to GPlus, the social worker from the adoption centre also added, "Adoptive parents need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally stable, and also financially capable".