procedure for legal adoption of child in Kolkata

Adoption in Kolkata is governed by the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 for Hindus, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 for all religions through the CARA framework. Under the Hindu law, a Hindu male or female can adopt a child subject to conditions such as the adoptive father being at least twenty-one years older than the adopted child. The Calcutta High Court has emphasized that adoption must be legally valid and registered to confer full inheritance rights upon the adopted child. West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act 1997 may require additional documentation or registration procedures specific to West Bengal. For inter-country adoptions, CARA approval is mandatory and the process is more stringent. An adoption deed must be executed and preferably registered with the Sub-Registrar in Kolkata. The adopted child acquires all rights of a biological child in the adoptive family, including inheritance rights.