Bhubaneswar: Odisha accounted for 6.1% of the total adoptions reported across India in 2025-26.
Data from the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) shows that Odisha recorded 308 child adoptions in 2025-26.
In terms of numbers, Odisha ranked fifth among all states and Union Territories – behind Maharashtra (792 child adoptions), Gujarat (547), Tamil Nadu (501) and Karnataka (377).
Odisha was just ahead of neighbouring Telangana (307).
As per CARA data, a total of 5,022 children were adopted across India during the period, of whom 4,603 were adopted within India and 419 through inter-country process.
As for Odisha, 263 children were adopted in India and 45 through inter-country process.
The gender-wise break-up show a substantially higher number of girl children being adopted in Odisha. As many as 170 of the state’s 308 adoptions were girls and 138 were boys.
There was no adoption under the ‘Other’ gender category.
At the national level too, girls (2,756) outnumbered boys (2,263). Three adoptions were recorded under the ‘Other’ category in the entire country.
Odisha’s 45 inter-country adoptions accounted for 10.7% of the overall ll 419 inter-country adoptions in India.
Children with special needs
Children with special needs made up a substantial proportion of Odisha’s inter-country adoptions. Out of its 45 inter-country adoptions, 26 involved children classified as having special needs, while 19 were classified as normal.
Overall, Odisha recorded 279 adoptions of children classified as normal and 29 with special needs.