What are the Conditions of Adoption under Hindu Law?
Under HAMA 1956, any Hindu, male or female, having a sound mind is eligible to adopt a child. However, there are some conditions that need to be fulfilled, such as: • If you already have a child, be it by blood or adoption, you are not allowed to adopt another child of the same gender. • You cannot adopt a son if you already have a Hindu son, son’s son, or son’s son’s son, be it biological or adopted. In the same way, you cannot adopt a daughter if you have a Hindu daughter or son’s daughter. • If you want to adopt a child of opposite sex than you, there must be a difference of at least 21 years between you and the child you want to adopt. The purpose of this provision is to protect the child against sexual abuse by the adoptive parent(s). • If you are a married Hindu male wanting to adopt a child, the consent of your spouse is essential. In case the spouse is ineligible to take a decision due to being of unsound mind, has renounced the world or has converted into another religion, the
