Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme

Written & fact-checked by Riya Sharma · Editor, Schemes In India

Last verified: 25 May 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

What is Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme?

Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme is the state's pioneering initiative (launched 2002) to combat female infanticide and child abandonment by providing safe, anonymous cradles at every government hospital, PHC, and Anganwadi Centre. Mothers facing social pressure or financial inability can safely leave their newborns instead of abandoning them dangerously. Operated by WCD Department with CHILDLINE 1098, the scheme accepts babies WITHOUT QUESTIONING parents — full anonymity. Babies are taken to District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for legal adoption via CARA. 500+ cradle points across Karnataka. Adoptive parents (CARA-registered) take child legally — usually within 4-6 weeks. Thousands rescued; recognised as model by NCPCR.

Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme — Quick Overview

Scheme Name	Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme 2026 — Anonymous Safe Drop-off for Abandoned Newborns
State	Karnataka (कर्नाटक)
Launched By	Government of Karnataka
Launch Year	2002
Benefit	Anonymous, legal-safe drop-off cradles at 500+ govt hospitals/PHCs to save abandoned newborns
Category	Women
Last Verified	25 May 2026
Official Portal	https://dwcdkar.gov.in

📖ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲ ಮಗು ಯೋಜನೆ — ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಹಿತಿKannada

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲ ಮಗು ಯೋಜನೆ 2002ರಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಶಿಶು ಹತ್ಯೆ ತಡೆಗೆ ಆರಂಭವಾಯಿತು. 500+ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ, ಪ್ರಾಥಮಿಕ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂಗನವಾಡಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಅನಾಮಧೇಯ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲು ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದ್ದು ತಾಯಂದಿರು ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಮಗುವನ್ನು ಬಿಡಬಹುದು.

📌 फायदा: 500+ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅನಾಮಧೇಯ, ಕಾನೂನು ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಸಮೇತ ಮಗು ಬಿಡಲು ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲು ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ

पात्रता:

ಮಗುವನ್ನು ಇಡಲು ಅಸಮರ್ಥ ಯಾವುದೇ ತಾಯಿ/ಗರ್ಭಿಣಿ — ದಾಖಲೆ/ಗುರುತು/ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಯಾವುದೂ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ; ದತ್ತು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು CARA ನೋಂದಾಯಿತ ಪಾಲಕರು.

अर्ज कसा करावा:

ಹತ್ತಿರದ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ/PHC ಯ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಗು ಇರಿಸಿ ಗಂಟೆ ಬಾರಿಸಿ; ದತ್ತು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು cara.nic.in ನಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಂದಾಯಿಸಿ.

Benefits of Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme

✅ Anonymous, legal-safe drop-off cradles at 500+ govt hospitals/PHCs to save abandoned newborns

Who is Eligible for Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme?

✓ Any pregnant woman/mother in Karnataka unable to keep newborn (no questions asked)
✓ Universal — no identification, income, marital status required
✓ Newborn babies (any gender) — special focus on female infanticide prevention
✓ Adoptive parents: Indian citizens registered with CARA
✓ Adoptive parent eligibility: aged 25-55, married couple OR single individual

Documents Required for Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme

0/5 documents ready

How to Apply for Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme Online?

1FOR MOTHERS: Take baby to any of 500+ cradle points (govt hospital, PHC, AWC, district CWC)
2Place baby gently in safe cradle and RING alarm bell; leave anonymously
3Hospital staff take baby within 5 minutes, provide care, contact CWC
4CWC takes legal custody, assigns to CARA-registered Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA)
5FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Register on cara.nic.in → Home Study → matching → court order
6Total adoption process: 6-12 months; Cradle babies usually placed within 4-6 weeks

🏛️

Official Government Portal — Karnataka

Applications go through dwcdkar.gov.in only. Applying is free of charge — no agent, middleman or "consultant" is ever required.

🔗 Cradle points at any govt hospital; Adoption via cara.nic.in

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Frequently Asked Questions — Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme

Will police arrest me if I leave baby at cradle?−

NO. Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme guarantees COMPLETE ANONYMITY and legal protection. No police case, no FIR, no questioning. Karnataka has issued explicit instructions to all hospitals and police — mother CANNOT be prosecuted for abandonment under this scheme.

How can I adopt from Karnataka Cradle?+

Why was Karnataka Cradle Baby Scheme launched?+

What happens to the baby after being left?+

Is Cradle Baby same as adoption?+