Willing to adopt a child? Know Nepal’s adoption law first

The issue of child adoption has been a part of the legislation for a long in Nepal. The 1963 Muluki Ain favoured adoptions by closed blood relatives or persons belonging to the same clan. Dharmaputra (adopted son) and dharmaputri (adopted daughter) also have some religious connections in Nepal.

Adoption primarily is viewed as an agreement involving inheritance or care for adoptive parents. However, in terms of law, there have been some shifts since the 1963 legislation. Currently, section 169 of the Civil Code, 2017 , defines adoption as a situation in which a person accepts a son or daughter of another person as his or her son or daughter.