The National Adoption Awareness Conclave 2025, organised by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, successfully concluded today in Visakhapatnam. The event witnessed the participation of more than 400 participants, including policymakers, experts, adoptive families, and key stakeholders from various states and child protection agencies.

Organised as part of National Adoption Awareness Month, observed every November, the Conclave focused on this year’s theme, “Non-Institutionalized Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children).” The discussions throughout the day reinforced the collective national commitment towards ensuring that children with special needs receive compassionate, permanent, and family-based care.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, reiterated the Government of India’s sustained commitment to protecting the rights of children and ensuring that every child—especially those with special needs—grows up in a safe, nurturing, and permanent family environment. He called upon States and Agencies to work collaboratively to enhance adoption services in alignment with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Adoption Regulations, 2022.

The programme began with a warm welcome by Shri M. Venu Gopal Reddy, Director, SARA Andhra Pradesh, followed by a thematic presentation by Smt. Bhavna Saxena, Member Secretary & CEO, CARA, who highlighted CARA’s initiatives to strengthen ethical, inclusive, and child-centric adoption systems. Meanwhile, Shri M.N. Harendhira Prasad, District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam, Smt. A. Surya Kumari, Secretary, Women & Child Development, Andhra Pradesh, and Smt. Anita Ramachandran, Secretary, WCD & SC, Government of Telangana delivered special addresses, emphasising state-level support mechanisms and the need for heightened sensitivity and awareness surrounding the adoption of children with special needs.

A key emotional highlight of the Conclave was the Experience Sharing segment, where adoptive parents of children with special needs narrated their powerful journeys. Their heartfelt testimonies shed light on the challenges, joys, and transformative power of adoption, and served as inspiring examples for prospective adoptive parents across the country.

Representatives from Telangana, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh shared their best practices related to medical assessments, financial support systems, early identification of children, and legal facilitation. These presentations underscored the importance of stronger coordination between SARAs, District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), and other stakeholders to ensure timely and transparent adoption processes.

During the Conclave, a motivational short film titled “Adoption of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)” was formally launched. The film aims to create greater public awareness, dispel societal myths, and encourage more families to consider adopting children with special needs.

The National Adoption Awareness Conclave 2025 is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening India’s adoption ecosystem and generating actionable recommendations to ensure that every child—particularly children with special needs—finds a family that offers love, stability, and lifelong care.

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