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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *485
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026
MODERNISATION OF CHILD CARE INSTITUTIONS
*485. DR. D. PURANDESWARI:
DR. LATA WANKHEDE:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to modernise Child Care Institutions through digital
case management systems in the country, if so, the details along with the implementation
status thereof;
(b) the details of the steps taken to strengthen monitoring, staffing and infrastructure in the
said institutions;
(c) whether adoption timelines under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) have
reduced during the last five years, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether measurable data regarding rehabilitation outcomes of children exiting
institutional care is available, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether awareness campaigns on child sexual abuse have been expanded in schools in
rural areas, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTs (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *485 FOR ANSWER ON 27.03.2026 RAISED BY DR. D.
PURANDESWARI AND DR. LATA WANKHEDE REGARDING “MODERNISATION OF
CHILD CARE INSTITUTIONS”
(a) & (b): The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the revamped Mission
Vatsalya Portal which is an integrated Digital platform for all the stakeholders related to child
protection services. Mission Vatsalya portal is a technologically upgraded secure portal which
provides digital working platform for various stakeholders across different levels at State and
district. The earlier Khoya-Paya and TrackChild services have been brought under this unified
portal.
The key features of Mission Vatsalya Portal include single digital platform for use by the
Stakeholders i.e. State Child Protection Society, State Adoption Resource Agency at State level
and District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, Special
Juvenile Police Unit at District level and Child Care Institutions. The portal avoids duplication of
work at grassroots level. It also ensures better monitoring through various MIS Dashboards and
optimum utilization of resources for planning and implementation. The portal enables digital
maintenance of individual child care plans, case histories, rehabilitation measures, and monitoring
of services provided to children in CCIs and those receiving non-institutional care.
(c): The Government has simplified its policy pertaining to adoption under the Juvenile Justice
(Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021, the Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Model Amendment Rules, 2022 and the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
The waiting period for adoption depends on factors such as the availability of children in the State,
and the child’s age, category, gender and health condition. There is minimal waiting period for
the adoption of children with special needs and children from immediate placement category
(mostly older children).
To reduce delays and ensure transparency, CARA has digitized the entire adoption process
through an online CARINGS portal, with regular monitoring and follow-ups with States and UTs.
This CARINGS portal has been integrated with unified Mission Vatsalya portal. An Identification
Cell has also been set up since July 2024 to identify adoptable children in Child Care Institutions
and expedite their declaration as legally free for adoption. The Adoption Regulations, 2022, under
Schedule XIV read with Regulations 46 and 50, prescribe the timelines to be adhered to by the
authorities and agencies involved in the adoption process.
(d): The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, provides for After Care of
Children leaving the Institutional care vide Section 2(5) and section 46 which mandates that “Any
child leaving a child care institution on completion of eighteen years of age may be provided with
financial support in order to facilitate child’s re-integration into the mainstream of the society in
the manner as may be prescribed”.
Before the child attains 18 years, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), with the support of the
Child Care Institution (CCI), reviews and updates the Individual Care Plan (ICP) and prepares an
aftercare plan covering education, skill development, employment, housing, health care, andsocial reintegration. The CWC assesses the child’s readiness for independent living, family
circumstances, and available support systems and then passes appropriate orders. On attaining 18
years, the child may be restored to the family or guardian if found fit and willing, or may be
placed under aftercare support, which can be provided up to the age of 21 years and extended up
to 23 years in exceptional cases with the approval of the CWC.
The data regarding children in institutional care, adopted children and those receiving non-
institutional care (Sponsorship, Foster care and Aftercare) is maintained through the Mission
Vatsalya Portal.
(e): The Government undertakes awareness programmes on child protection and prevention of
child sexual abuse across the country, including in rural areas. Awareness activities are carried
out through community outreach, school-based programmes, and digital campaigns in
coordination with State Governments and other stakeholders. These campaigns are aligned with
the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and include
sensitization programmes for children, teachers, parents and community members on child safety,
reporting mechanisms, and available support services. Under Mission Vatsalya, States and Union
Territories are also supported to conduct awareness and capacity-building programmes for
strengthening child protection systems at the grassroots level.
Further, the Ministry organizes zonal conferences and sensitization/dissemination workshops
under Mission Vatsalya Scheme to create awareness and strengthen implementation.
*****