Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) Recruitment 2026: Career Guide & Vacancy Details

Explore CARA Recruitment 2026. Guide on career paths, eligibility for Social Work & Legal roles, salary levels (7th CPC), and the selection process at CARA.

Last updated on: Dec 21, 2025 | Data sourced from official notifications
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The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) offers a unique and fulfilling career path for professionals dedicated to child welfare and social justice. As a statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, CARA is the nodal agency for monitoring and regulating in-country and inter-country adoptions in India. Recruitment at CARA typically seeks individuals with backgrounds in Social Work, Psychology, Law, and Administration to uphold the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Act.


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About Central Adoption Resource Authority

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India. It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003.


Official Address
Central Adoption Resource Authority, Ministry of Women & Child Development, West Block 8, Wing 2, 2nd Floor, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066 India
New Delhi, Delhi - 110066
Contact Information

This organization has released 5 recruitment notifications in the last 3 years.


About CARA Careers

FeatureOrganization Details
Organization TypeStatutory Body (Ministry of Women & Child Development)
HeadquartersNew Delhi
Primary Entry GateDirect Recruitment / Deputation / Contractual Interview
Salary Range₹30,000 - ₹2,15,900 (Varies by Level-6 to Level-13)

🏛️ Organization Overview

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a high-impact statutory body established to ensure that every orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered child in India finds a loving family. Originally set up in 1990, it gained statutory status under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.3 CARA functions as the central authority for the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, making it a critical player in international social policy and child rights.4+1

Based in R.K. Puram, New Delhi, CARA coordinates with State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA), District Child Protection Units (DCPU), and Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAA). A career here involves high-level policy implementation, legal oversight, and the management of the Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS), a sophisticated IT platform that streamlines the adoption process nationwide.


💼 Key Job Profiles (Evergreen Roles)

  • Program Officer / Assistant Director (Programme): These professionals manage the core adoption cycle, including home study report reviews, matching processes, and coordination with stakeholders. Requires a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or Psychology.
  • Legal Consultant / Assistant Director (Legal): Responsible for handling court cases related to adoption petitions, drafting counter-affidavits, and ensuring all procedures comply with the JJ Act and HAMA.
  • Young Professional / Junior Consultant: Often recruited on a contractual basis, these roles focus on data analysis, monitoring adoption timelines, and providing technical support for the CARINGS portal.
  • Administrative & Secretarial Staff: Roles such as Personal Assistant and Data Entry Operator support the executive functioning of the Member Secretary and CEO’s office.5

💰 Salary & Employee Benefits

CARA follows the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) scales for regular and deputation posts, while contractual roles receive consolidated monthly remuneration.

  • Executive Level (Director/Deputy Director): Pay levels range from Level-11 to Level-13, with gross salaries typically between ₹67,700 and ₹2,15,900.
  • Officer Level (AO/Assistant Director): Usually placed in Level-10 (approx. ₹56,100 base).
  • Contractual Professionals: Young Professionals start at approximately ₹30,000, while Senior Consultants can earn up to ₹80,000 - ₹90,000 depending on experience.

Employee Benefits: Regular employees receive HRA, DA, Transport Allowance, and Medical Reimbursement as per Central Government norms. Contractual staff typically receive a consolidated sum with annual increments of 5-10%.


🎯 Selection Process

The recruitment process at CARA is highly specialized due to the sensitive nature of the work:

  1. Screening of Applications: Candidates are shortlisted based on their academic qualifications (MSW/LLB/MBA) and years of relevant experience in the social sector.
  2. Written/Skill Test: For secretarial and IT roles, a proficiency test (shorthand or data entry) is mandatory.6
  3. Personal Interview: For professional and officer-grade roles, a personal interview is conducted to assess the candidate's understanding of the Juvenile Justice Act and adoption regulations.
  4. Deputation Clearance: For government employees, selection is based on APAR dossiers and "No Objection Certificates" from their parent departments.

💡 Expert Tips: How to Crack CARA Exams

1. Study the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act

The backbone of all work at CARA is the Juvenile Justice Act and the Adoption Regulations. Prospective candidates should be thoroughly familiar with the 2015 Act and its latest amendments, as most interview questions revolve around these legal frameworks.

2. Understand the CARINGS Portal

CARA is a technology-driven organization. Understanding how the Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System works will give you a significant edge during the technical round or interview.

3. Highlight Social Sector Experience

CARA prioritizes "Social Sector" experience. If you have worked with NGOs, Child Care Institutions (CCIs), or International Child Welfare bodies, ensure this is prominently featured in your CV and discussed during your interview.


Mandatory Disclaimer: All details are sourced from official notifications. MySarkariNaukri.com provides informational guidance only and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Verification Source: Verify at: https://cara.wcd.gov.in/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For direct recruitment and contractual roles, the age limit usually ranges from 28 to 50 years. For deputation posts, the maximum age is typically 56 years as per DoPT guidelines.

Generally, CARA requires the degree to be completed and the final result declared by the time of application, as a minimum of 1-3 years of work experience is often a prerequisite.

Most entry-level professional roles are initially offered on a contractual basis for 1-3 years. Permanent posts are frequently filled through deputation of existing government employees.

No, CARA does not typically require a financial service bond, but contractual employees must sign an agreement adhering to the organization's confidentiality and ethics codes.

The vast majority of CARA positions are based at the Head Office in R.K. Puram, New Delhi, as it does not currently have regional branch offices.

The standard requirement is a Post Graduate Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, or Sociology from a recognized university.

Since CARA is a statutory body, staff on deputation can eventually return to their parent departments, but internal regular staff are generally stationed in New Delhi.

Yes, for contractual and consultant roles, relevant experience in private NGOs, Law Firms (for legal posts), or International Organizations is highly valued.