‘Adopted Son’ Replaced With ‘Adopted Child’ as Chhattisgarh Ends Gender Bias

New Delhi: The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday amended the century-old 1908 Adoption Act by replacing the term "adopted son" with "adopted child" in all legal documents. 

State Finance Minister OP Choudhary said that the previous law, which only referred to the "adopted son," was rooted in outdated, gender-biased thinking. 

"We have now amended it to use 'adopted child' to ensure gender neutrality and respect for women," Choudhary said.

This move is being celebrated as a tribute to women like Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai and Padma Shri Phoolbasan Bai, who have made groundbreaking contributions to Chhattisgarh society. Teejan Bai, for instance, broke social norms by performing Pandavani in the male-dominated Kapalik style, while Phoolbasan Bai empowered over 8 lakh women through self-help groups in rural areas.

Social workers and activists supported the amendment. V Polamma, a social worker, pointed out that in 2005, the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act granted daughters equal property rights. "It's only fair that adoption laws now reflect similar equality," she said. 

Activist Vibha Singh echoed these sentiments, stating that the amendment sends a strong message against gender bias in adoption.

Adoption Statistics in Chhattisgarh

Between January 2021 and February 2025, 417 children were adopted in Chhattisgarh, with 246 of them being girls. Additionally, 369 children from the state were adopted by families across India, and 48 found homes internationally. 

This new law is particularly significant as all adoption documents issued up until now used the term "adopted son", regardless of the child's gender.