The scheme provides accommodation, food, and healthcare to the babies until they are adopted, and also facilitates the process of providing a family to the destitute child and a child to childless parents.

Prospective Adoptive Parents must have a stable marital relationship of at least two years. Age and marital status criteria vary depending on the age of the child to be adopted.

According to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), adoption is a process by which a child who is abandoned or separated from biological parents becomes the legitimate child of a new set of parents (adoptive parents), with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities attached to this relationship.

The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 govern adoption.

The adoption process is regulated by Non-Governmental Organisations and involves various authorities and agencies to ensure a thorough and legal process.

There are 23 institutions involved in implementing the adoption scheme.

Contact the State Adoption Resource Agency, the Directorate of Social Defence in Chennai, the concerned Probation Officer, or the 23 Licensed Specialized Adoption Agencies.

Documents include PAN Card/Passport, Proof of Residence, Proof of Income, Marriage Certificate and Photograph, Birth Certificate of the Prospective Adoptive Parents, Medical Certificate, and a Letter of identification from friends or relatives.

If found ineligible, the prospective adoptive parent(s) will not be allowed to proceed with the adoption process and will be informed accordingly.

No, an unmarried or single male person is not eligible to adopt a girl child.