Overview

• In a memo issued last week, CARA cited Rule 23(3) of the Juvenile Justice Rules and point 4(1) of the Model Foster Care Guidelines, read with Rule 44, to define eligibility.
• The memorandum states that any placement of a child younger than six in foster care will be treated as a violation of the Rules and the 2024 Guidelines.
• The directive has been circulated to State Adoption Resource Agencies, District Child Protection Units, and Specialised Adoption Agencies for uniform enforcement.
• Foster care in this framework serves children who cannot be cared for by biological parents but are not declared legally free for adoption.
• Official figures show non-institutional care coverage rose from 29,331 in 2021–22 to 62,675 in 2022–23 and to 1,21,861 in 2023–24, increasing pressure on implementing agencies.