Question

A Muslim can adopt a child under which Law?

• A. The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956
• B. Guardianship and Wards Act, 1890
• C. The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937
• D. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

Hint:

For Muslims in India, legal adoption is possible under the secular Juvenile Justice Act, not under personal law.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Adoption in personal laws.
- Under Muslim personal law, there is no concept of full adoption as under Hindu law; instead, there is “acknowledgment of paternity” and guardianship concepts.
Step 2: Applicability of JJ Act, 2015.
- The JJ Act, 2015 is a secular law allowing adoption irrespective of religion.
- Section 56(3) of JJ Act allows adoption by any person, including Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Hindus, provided conditions under the Act are met.
Step 3: Elimination of other options.
- (a) applies only to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs.
- (b) governs guardianship, not full adoption.
- (c) does not cover adoption; deals with application of Muslim personal law.
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