New Delhi: Nearly two-thirds of children waiting for adoption in India are those with special needs, even as the overall adoption numbers have seen a record rise over the years, government data shows. Special needs adoptions peaked at 401 in 2018-19, plunged to 166 the following year, and the number has since remained between 300 and “370 annually. CARA has also been holding awareness campaigns to promote the adoption of older and special needs children. In 2024, 364 special needs children were “reserved” by prospective adoptive parents, showing cautious but growing interest. The foster care track gained momentum too, with 29 foster adoption pre-approval letters issued to provide permanency to children already in family foster care.