In India, the legal age for adoption varies depending on the personal laws governing different religious communities and the guidelines provided by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) for inter-country adoptions. The adoption of a child is regulated by various adoption laws and rules, and the age requirements may differ between domestic and inter-country adoptions. Here are the general age requirements for adoption in India: Domestic Adoption: For Hindus: Under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, any Hindu male who has attained the age of 21 years and any Hindu female who has attained the age of 18 years may adopt a child. However, there are additional restrictions and conditions related to the adoptive parent's age, marital status, and the age of the child being adopted. For Muslims: In Islamic law, there is no specific age requirement for adoption, but adoption is not recognized in the same way as under other personal laws in India. For Christians: The Indian Christian Adoption Act, 2001, governs Christian adoption, but it does not specify age requirements for adoptive parents. For Parsis: The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, governs adoption among Parsis, but it does not specify age requirements for adoptive parents. For individuals belonging to other religious communities, adoption is generally governed by the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, which does not specify age requirements for adoptive parents. Inter-country Adoption: CARA, the central authority responsible for regulating inter-country adoptions in India, provides guidelines and eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents. While there are no strict age limits, CARA may consider the age, health, and other factors of the prospective adoptive parents when determining their suitability for inter-country adoption. It's important to note that the adoption process in India is subject to various legal and procedural requirements, and eligibility criteria may change over time. Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to check the latest guidelines and requirements from CARA or consult with authorized adoption agencies for the most up-to-date information on adoption eligibility.