Event Overview

On January 30, 2026, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), operating under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, took a significant step toward improving the lives of children with special needs. A crucial Regional Consultative Workshop was held in Guwahati, Assam, focusing on "Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)." The event underscored the government's pivot toward family-based care rather than permanent institutionalization.

Key Facts
Organizer

CARA (Ministry of WCD)

Location

Guwahati, Assam

Participation

122 Stakeholders

Primary Focus

Adoption of Divyaang Children

Key Outcome

Strategic Roadmap Development

Workshop Highlights & Discussions

Stakeholder Convergence

The consultation brought together a diverse group of experts, including representatives from State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), and Chief Medical Officers. This strong turnout highlights a unified institutional commitment to solving complex adoption challenges in the region.

Strategic Deliberations

Participants engaged in structured group discussions covering four critical pillars of the adoption ecosystem:

  • Medical Assessment: Standardizing health evaluations for children with special needs.
  • Legal Frameworks: Simplifying procedural aspects to expedite adoption.
  • Operations: Addressing financial and administrative hurdles.
  • Coordination: improving grievance redressal and inter-agency cooperation.
Official Roadmap & Vision

Future Action Plan

The workshop concluded with a firm resolve to draft a comprehensive roadmap aimed at boosting domestic adoption numbers for Divyaang children. The strategy focuses on enhancing the capacity of frontline workers and ensuring Prospective Adoptive Parents are well-informed and supported.

CARA's Commitment

CARA reiterated its dedication to the principle that every child deserves a permanent family environment. The authority emphasized that transparency, child welfare, and the "best interest of the child" remain the guiding lights for all future policy implementations.

Source Information

Official Press Release: Ministry of Women and Child Development (PIB)

CARA Spearheads Regional Initiative to Boost Family-Based Care for Children with Special Needs - Image 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What was the main objective of the Guwahati workshop?
The primary goal was to promote non-institutional rehabilitation for children with special needs (Divyaang) and facilitate their placement into loving families through adoption.
Q. Who participated in this consultation?
The event saw 122 participants, including medical professionals, adoption agency representatives, district child protection units, and state-level adoption officials.
Q. What specific areas were discussed for improvement?
Key discussion points included health and medical assessments, legal adoption procedures, financial challenges, and better institutional coordination.
Q. What is CARA?
CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) is a statutory body of the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, which functions as the nodal body for the adoption of Indian children.
Q. What is the outcome of this workshop?
The stakeholders agreed to develop a strategic roadmap to increase domestic adoption of children with special needs and intensify awareness campaigns.