Marriage & Adoption

Marriage is a union of two biologically different individuals voluntarily to choosing to live together to lead and to build a family.  Two biologically different individuals to choose to live together requires a lot of adjustments and compromises, especially in the beginning of this journey.

If this relationship requires adjustments and compromises, would it be wise to place a non-biological child in their hands to care for?  Perhaps not.  Recognizing this period of adjustments, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA - a statutory body created under the Juvenile & Justice Act by the act of parliament of India) made a wise rule requiring the couple to wait for some time to begin this process so that they know that their relationship is stable and strong to go forward with the decision of adoption. 

In sub-regulation 3 of regulation 5 of adoption regulations 2022, it states the following: No child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship except in the cases of relative or stepparent adoption.

In this regulation, the phrase ‘stable marriage’ assumes a lot of significance.  It means the couple was living together continuously (without interruptions) for two years.