(1) Adoption shall be resorted to for ensuring right to family for the orphan, abandoned and surrendered children, as per the provisions of this Act, the rules made thereunder and the adoption regulations framed by the Authority. 1. Subs. by Act 23 of 2021, s. 15, for “District Child Protection Units or State Government, as the case may be” (w.e.f. 1-9- 2022). 2. Subs. by s. 15, ibid., for “District Child Protection Unit or the State Government” (w.e.f. 1-9-2022). 3. Ins. by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2022). 31

(2) Adoption of a child from a relative by another relative, irrespective of their religion, can be made as per the provisions of this Act and the adoption regulations framed by the Authority.

(3) Nothing in this Act shall apply to the adoption of children made under the provisions of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (78 of 1956).

(4) All inter-country adoptions shall be done only as per the provisions of this Act and the adoption regulations framed by the Authority.

(5) Any person, who takes or sends a child to a foreign country or takes part in any arrangement for transferring the care and custody of a child to another person in a foreign country without a valid order from the 1[District Magistrate], shall be punishable as per the provisions of section 80.