2.1 In the Government of India all matters relating to adoption shall be dealt within the Ministry of Welfare. The Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) set up on 28-6-1990 under the aegis of the Ministry of Welfare in pursuance of Cabinet decision dated 9-5-1990 and when the Central Adoption Resource Agency is set up under these guidelines, then such Central Adoption Resource Agency shall deal with all matters concerning adoption as specified hereinafter.

2.2 The Government of India, Ministry of Welfare shall, from time to time, frame rules and guidelines and issue instructions to State Governments, voluntary agencies and voluntary coordinating agencies as well as to scrutinizing agencies to facilitate and promote in-country adoption and to regulate inter-country adoption of Indian children.

2.3 The Central Adoption Resource Agency, shall maintain a list of all recognized foreign agencies for adoption enlisted by the Government of India. Copies of the lists of these agencies shall be supplied by the Central Adoption Resource Agency to the various High Courts in India, all the State Governments, all recognized Indian agencies, all voluntary coordinating agencies, all scrutinizing agencies and all Indian missions abroad as well as all passport offices once every year.

2.4 The Central Adoption Resource Agency shall also prepare a list of all recognized Indian agencies for adoption. It shall publish once a year the list of these agencies operating in each State in three leading newspapers having wide circulation in the State, one in the English language, one in the Hindi language and the third in the regional language of that State. The list shall also be sent to all the High Courts in the country for circulation to the District Courts in each State, all the State Governments, all recognized Indian placement agencies, all foreign enlisted agencies, all Indian Missions abroad, all voluntary coordinating agencies and all scrutinizing agencies.

2.5 The Central Adoption Resource Agency shall maintain liaison wit h Indian diplomatic missions abroad in order to safeguard the interests of children of Indian origin adopted by foreign parents against neglect, maltreatment, exploitation or abuse and to maintain an unobtrusive watch over the welfare and progress of such children, For this purpose, the Central Adoption Resource Agency shall inform every Indian diplomatic missions concerned whenever an Indian child is taken in adoption or for the purpose of adoption, by foreign parents. The names, addresses and other particulars of such children and their adoptive/prospective adoptive parents shall be supplied to the Indian diplomatic missions as early as possible and in any case before the end of every quarter.

2.6 The Central Adoption Resource Agency shall arrange every year a meeting of all recognized placement agencies, voluntary coordinating agencies and scrutinizing bodies for discussing matters of mutual interest and such other matters as are considered necessary and expedient.

2.7 As per the directions of the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (CRQ No. 117 1/82 and on the basis of a Cabinet decision dated 9-5-1990, the Government of India in the Ministry of Welfare vide Resolution No. 1-10/88-CH(AC) dated 28th June, 1990 published in the Gazette of India No. 166 dated 3rd July, 1990 has set up a Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) to act as a clearing house of information in regard to children available for in country and inter-country adoption and to regulate, monitor and develop programs for the rehabilitation of children through adoption.

2.8 Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) shall have its headquarters in New Delhi. Branches/Regional Offices of Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) may, however, be set up at such places as may be considered appropriate.