India sees highest child adoptions in a decade

India recorded 5,022 child adoptions between April 2025 and March 2026, the highest in over a decade, according to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Despite nearly 26,000 prospective parents waiting, 80% of available children have special needs. Adoptions of special needs children rose 25% to 392, while relative/step-parent adoptions jumped 50% to 1,231. CARA credits focused strategies and new agencies for the increase.