(1) Indian prospective adoptive parents living in India, irrespective of their religion, if interested to adopt an orphan or abandoned or surrendered child, may apply for the same to a Specialised Adoption Agency, in the manner as provided in the adoption regulations framed by the Authority.
(2) The Specialised Adoption Agency shall prepare the home study report of the prospective adoptive parents and upon finding them eligible, will refer a child declared legally free for adoption to them along with the child study report and medical report of the child, in the manner as provided in the adoption regulations framed by the Authority.
(3) On the receipt of the acceptance of the child from the prospective adoptive parents along with the child study report and medical report of the child signed by such parents, the Specialised Adoption Agency shall give the child in pre-adoption foster care and file an application 1[before the District Magisrate] for obtaining the adoption order, in the manner as provided in the adoption regulations framed by the Authority.
(4) On the receipt of a certified copy of the 2[order passed by the District Magistrate], the Specialised Adoption Agency shall send immediately the same to the prospective adoptive parents.
(5) The progress and wellbeing of the child in the adoptive family shall be followed up and ascertained in the manner as provided in the adoption regulations framed by the Authority
1Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for "in the court" (w.e.f. 1-9-2022).
2Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for "court order" (w.e.f. 1-9-2022).