Wed Sep 24 11:25:11 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

**India Clarifies Foster Care Age Limit: Children Under Six Ineligible**

**New Delhi – September 24, 2025** – The Indian government has issued a formal clarification stating that children under the age of six are ineligible for placement in foster care. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) released an office memorandum last week addressing concerns raised by adoption agencies regarding the interpretation of existing regulations.

CARA emphasized Rule 23(3) of the Juvenile Justice Rules and point 4(1) of the Model Foster Care Guidelines, highlighting that foster care is intended for children aged six and above, under specific circumstances outlined in Rule 44 of the Act.

The memorandum explicitly stated, “Therefore, it is reiterated that no child who is less than six years of age shall be placed under Foster Care… Any deviation from this would be construed as a violation of said Rule and Model Foster Care Guidelines, 2024.”

The directive has been disseminated to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), and Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) to ensure consistent adherence to the guidelines nationwide.

Foster care is being promoted as an alternative to institutional care for children who cannot be cared for by their biological parents but are not legally available for adoption. Official data reveals a significant increase in children benefiting from non-institutional care, including sponsorship, foster care, and aftercare programs. The number of children in these programs has quadrupled between 2021-22 and 2023-24, rising from 29,331 to 121,861. This clarification aims to maintain the integrity of the foster care system and ensure appropriate care for children based on their age and needs.

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