Lok Sabha Question No. 485 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Modernisation of Child Care Institutions
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari, Dr. Lata Wankhede

## 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.

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## 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,  and social  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  noninstitutional  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.

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