Do you want to know the adoption trends in Karnataka? In fact, the state saw the second-highest number of children being adopted. Let’s find out more.
Many childless couples in India are choosing to adopt children to complete their families. In 2018-19, 3,374 children were adopted by families across India. This included 1,977 girls and 1,397 boys. Maharashtra saw the maximum number of adoptions while Karnataka came in second.
| State | Number of Adoptions |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 695 |
| Karnataka | 237 |
| Odisha | 208 |
| Tamil Nadu | 193 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 174 |
Adoption Trends in Karnataka
Karnataka saw 237 orphans find new homes in 2018-19. The gender diversity reflected the national trends with more girls being adopted. Of the 237 orphans, 130 were girls.
However, it is important to note that the number of girl children abandoned or surrendered to NGOs and the women and child welfare department is also much higher than the number of male infants abandoned.
Nationally, adoptions showed a positive trend with the number of children being adopted rising from 3,276 to 3,374. This marked growth of 3%.
However, the number of adoptions in the state of Karnataka did not follow this trend. Adoptions in 2018-19 fell by 19% as compared to the previous year.
| Year | Adoptions in Karnataka |
|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 237 |
| 2017-18 | 294 |
| 2016-17 | 252 |
| 2015-16 | 277 |
Child Abandonment
Children put up for adoption are either surrendered as infants to NGOs and Shishu Mandiras or found abandoned in open spaces. As a result of awareness drives made by these NGOs and Shishu Mandiras, the number of infants being abandoned has fallen over the years.
Many of these institutions also have cradles where mothers who do not want to keep their baby can leave the child safely. Between 2016 and 2019, 478 babies were found abandoned while 576 were surrendered in Karnataka.
Wait Period For Adoptive Parents In Karnataka
Despite there being a large number of orphans up for adoption, prospective adoptive parents must still wait for varied time periods before they can welcome a child home. The waiting period depends on many factors including:
The Age Of A Child
Parents adopting older children in Karnataka often have the shortest wait period and have the option of immediate placement.
For infants, the waiting period according to women and child welfare department authorities is about 1-2 years. However, couples wanting to adopt these infants claim that it can take as long as 2-3 years.
State Of Adoption
The waiting period also depends on which part of India couples choose to adopt children from. While the waiting list is maintained centrally by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), each state maintains its own state-specific waiting list as well.
Couples who opt to adopt a child from anywhere in India typically have a shorter wait period as compared to parents wanting to adopt children from a specific state.
Familial Status
Another factor influencing the waiting period is the adoptive parent’s familial status. Single parents can find it harder to adopt children as compared to childless couples.