Assam Introduces 180-Day Child Adoption Leave for Female Employees

The Assam government recently decided to implement a new policy granting 180 days of Child Adoption Leave to female employees across all state departments. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that this decision aligns with Rule 43-B of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972. The aim is to ensure that female employees who adopt children under the age of one can provide them with proper care and support. The state cabinet approved this measure to benefit women adopting young children, emphasizing the importance of nurturing their adopted children during their formative early months.

Meanwhile, in a recent Supreme Court hearing on adoption rules, Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati highlighted a gap between registration and adoption processes in India. She reported that from 2021 to 2023, 19,424 adoptions occurred under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA), with 4,029 children adopted in 2023-24 through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). The Supreme Court has directed 13 Indian states and Union territories, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Arunachal Pradesh, to establish specialized adoption agencies by August 30, in response to previous court orders.