The Union government on Wednesday launched a month-long adoption awareness campaign dedicated to encouraging the adoption of children with special needs, aiming to dispel misconceptions and foster public participation in non-institutionalised rehabilitation.
The initiative, led by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, precedes the annual national adoption awareness month observed in November. The 2025 campaign carries the theme “non-institutionalised rehabilitation of children with special needs (divyaang children)”.
According to the Ministry, the campaign will highlight issues related to adoption, particularly for children with special needs, and aims to “celebrate the joy and transformative power adoption brings to children and families.”
A special logo and the hashtag #EveryChildMatters have been launched to symbolise the effort. Online initiatives include poster-making competitions, pledge-taking, mascot creation, sharing adoption stories, and idea submissions through MyGov India. Offline activities will involve interactive sessions with adoptive parents and children, cultural programmes, competitions, and community-level campaigns.
States across the country, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are expected to participate in organising these awareness events.
Highlighting progress in adoption, the Ministry reported that in FY25, 313 children with special needs were successfully adopted, with 83 cases of domestic adoption and 230 inter-country adoptions. Officials said each adoption reflects the broader social commitment to ensuring every child receives love, care, and dignity in a family environment.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, officials and community groups are expected to host outreach programmes as part of the nationwide campaign. These will include awareness sessions for prospective parents, cultural events, and discussions aimed at breaking prevailing myths about adopting children with special needs.
By engaging stakeholders and families, the campaign seeks to ensure that island communities are better informed and more actively involved in supporting adoption as a means of rehabilitation.
The Ministry stressed that the campaign is not just about adoption statistics but about changing attitudes towards children with special needs. By bringing together stories of adoptive families and the experiences of adoptees, the campaign aims to present adoption as a fulfilling and inclusive pathway that benefits both children and parents.
The government noted that breaking social stigma and ensuring equal opportunities for children with disabilities remain central to the effort. With events lined up through October, the initiative will build momentum for the national adoption awareness month in November.
