The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, and the Delhi State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), organised an Adoption Awareness Workshop at the Main Auditorium, Delhi Secretariat, New Delhi, under the theme: “Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption.
The workshop was graced by the presence of Smt. Bhavna Saxena, CEO, CARA; Smt. Rashmi Singh, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi; Smt. Neha Yadav, DCP, SPUWAC; Smt. Monica Bharadwaj, Additional CP, Crime, Delhi Police; Shri O.P. Vyas, Chairperson, DCPCR, Dr. Anil Yadav, CMO, Outer North District; and other senior officials and stakeholders from the child protection, adoption ecosystem, Health & Police Departments.
The workshop brought together around 200 participants involved in child protection and adoption to strengthen awareness about the legal, transparent and child-centric adoption process and to create greater awareness about the risks and serious consequences of illegal adoption practices.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Bhavna Saxena, CEO, CARA, emphasised that awareness and vigilance across the entire child protection ecosystem are essential to safeguarding children from illegal adoption practices. “Every child deserves a safe childhood, a secure future and the protection of the law. There can be no shortcuts when it comes to adoption. Through this year’s campaign, CARA seeks to ensure that every stakeholder understands their role in preventing illegal adoption and that every prospective adoptive parent follows the legal adoption process. Together, we must ensure that the best interests, rights and dignity of every child remain at the heart of adoption.”
Speaking at the workshop, Smt. Rashmi Singh, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, said that the participation of stakeholders across the child protection ecosystem—from the Health and Police Departments, ANMs and Anganwadi workers to District Child Protection Units and Child Welfare Committees—marked a significant step towards wider sensitisation. She emphasised that such collective efforts reflect a strong institutional commitment to ensuring safe and secure childhoods.
As part of the awareness initiative, a fiction film on legal adoption was launched during the workshop. The film seeks to communicate the importance of following the authorised adoption process and highlight the risks associated with illegal adoption in an accessible and impactful manner.
Three Thematic Sessions Address Emerging Challenges
The workshop featured three focused technical sessions covering critical aspects of prevention and response to illegal adoption: Session 1 “Illegal Adoption: Emerging Trends, Challenges and State/National Response”, Session 2 “Role of Hospitals/Nursing Homes, Health Systems, Police & Judiciary in Preventing Illegal Adoption” and Session 3 “Strengthening Child Protection System: SARAs, CWCs, DCPUs, CCIs”
The sessions focused not only on strengthening coordination among State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), and Child Care Institutions (CCIs), but also on sensitising key stakeholders from the Police, Health, and Anganwadi sectors to ensure the effective implementation of child protection and legal adoption mechanisms.
Real-Life Experience Sharing: From Challenge to Action
A special experience-sharing session was also organised during the workshop, featuring the real-life experience of Shri Arun Sharma, DCPO, on combating illegal adoption. The session provided participants with practical insights into the challenges faced on the ground, the importance of timely intervention and the role of field-level child protection functionaries in responding to suspected cases of illegal adoption.
Interactive Quiz Concludes the Workshop
The workshop concluded with an interactive quiz session designed to assess participants’ understanding and retention of key information shared during the various sessions. The engaging format encouraged participants to reflect on the legal provisions, roles and responsibilities discussed during the workshop and helped reinforce key messages relating to legal adoption, child protection and prevention of illegal adoption.
A play presented by DMRC Salam Baalak Trust sensitised participants on child rights, child protection & Safety, highlighting the collective responsibility to ensure a safe, secure and supportive environment for every child.
Focus on Combating Illegal Adoption
The theme for National Adoption Awareness Month–2026, has been selected as “Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption!”. It is to emphasise that, Illegal adoption not only violates the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, but can also deprive children of their legal safeguards, rights and protection. Such practices undermine the transparent, regulated and child-centric adoption system established under law.
The awareness initiative brought focus on the role of Women and Child Development Departments, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Child Care Institutions, Health and Police Departments, Judiciary, Legal Services Authorities, hospital administrators, medical professionals, ASHA and ANM workers, civil society organisations and media representatives, among other stakeholders.
Participants were sensitised about the importance of coordinated action, timely intervention and adherence to the legal adoption framework to protect the rights and best interests of children.
“Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption!” is not merely a campaign message, but a collective call to action to ensure that every child’s right to safety, dignity, identity and a secure family environment is protected.
