How straightforward is it to adopt a child in India? Has the process become simpler over the years? The process of adoption in India is regulated under two laws - The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1965, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Both the laws have different criteria for parents who wish to adopt a child. For adoption under the Juvenile Justice Act, also known as the JJ ACT, candidates have to first register on CARA’s portal. CARA stands for the Central Adoption Resource Authority