Historical perspectives of adoption in India — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. In ancient Hindu law, the main purpose of adoption was:

   • Tax saving
   • Religious: funeral rites, continuing the line and spiritual benefit (correct answer)
   • Child welfare as a secular right
   • Transfer of business

   Explanation. Adoption served religious purposes: a son to perform funeral rites and continue the family line.

2. How many kinds of sons does Manu list?

   • Six
   • Nine
   • Twelve (correct answer)
   • Eighteen

   Explanation. Manu lists twelve kinds of sons, two of which are adoption forms.

3. Dattaka means:

   • A son made by the adopter with the boy's consent
   • A son given by his parents to another person (correct answer)
   • A son born of the wife
   • A daughter given in marriage

   Explanation. Dattaka is a son given in adoption by his parents.

4. The kritrima form of adoption survived only in a limited way in which region?

   • Kerala
   • Mithila (correct answer)
   • Punjab
   • Gujarat

   Explanation. Kritrima survived in the Mithila region only.

5. Which treatise of Nanda Pandita on the dattaka form was rigid?

   • Dattaka Mimamsa (correct answer)
   • Arthashastra
   • Mitakshara only
   • Narada Smriti only

   Explanation. The Dattaka Mimamsa of Nanda Pandita was rigid.

6. The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 allowed:

   • Adoption of any child
   • Guardianship of a child, but not adoption (correct answer)
   • Adoption only by Hindus
   • Inter-country adoption

   Explanation. Guardianship does not make the child the legal child of the guardian.

7. Which case recognised that a person of any religion can adopt under the Juvenile Justice Act, whatever the personal law says?

   • Shabnam Hashmi v. Union of India (correct answer)
   • Hadley v. Baxendale
   • Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma
   • Githa Hariharan v. RBI

   Explanation. Shabnam Hashmi (2014) upheld the secular right to adopt under the Juvenile Justice Act.

8. Which case laid down safeguards for adoption of Indian children by foreigners in 1984?

   • Lakshmi Kant Pandey v. Union of India (correct answer)
   • Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
   • Prakash v. Phulavati
   • Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India

   Explanation. Lakshmi Kant Pandey (1984) set guidelines for inter-country adoption.