The full form of CARA is

CARA stands for the Central Adoption Resource Authority, the statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that regulates in-country and inter-country adoption of Indian children. It was given statutory status by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and functions as the central authority under the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption. It is an authority, not an agency, and its function is to act as a resource and clearing house rather than to recognise agencies alone.