CARA issues nationwide directions to strengthen adoption procedures, safeguard records and protect children’s identity

• Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) — statutory body under Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) — issued three Office Memorandums (OMs) on 16 March 2026 to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) to tighten adoption procedures, secure records, and protect adoptees' identity.
• Action is rooted in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (amended 2021) and the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
• Relevant for UPSC under child rights, social justice, statutory bodies, and administrative federalism.