Gujarat has recorded 1,297 child adoptions in the last 10 years, with girls making up 55% of all adoptions. The data, released during Adoption Awareness Month in November, also shows a growing trend of parents — including those living abroad — choosing to adopt girls. Around 14% of children adopted from the state over the decade have been placed with families overseas.
Nationally, over 4,500 children were adopted in 2024–25, the highest in 10 years. More than 36,000 parents are currently registered with the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). From Gujarat, 177 children were adopted in the past decade, including 61 boys and 89 girls.
Adoption eligibility
Experts say couples with a combined age of 45 years can adopt children aged 0–2. For single parents, the upper age limit is 40. Single men are not permitted to adopt a girl child, while single women may adopt either gender.
Couples aged 86–90 (combined) may adopt children aged 2–4, while single parents must be between 41 and 45 years to adopt in this age group.