The Central Adoption Resource Authority was set up under the administration of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The origin of CARA can be traced back to section 68 of the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act, wherein it was initially considered as an agency but after coming under the purview of the Ministry, it became a legislative authority. 

The authority consists of a steering committee, which has been provided for under section 69 of the Juvenile Justice Act. It comprises of the Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, who acts in the capacity of Chairman Ex-Officio; the Joint Secretary of the same Ministry, to deal with authority in the capacity as an Ex-Officio; the Joint Secretary to deal with the finance in the capacity of an Ex-Officio; one state adoption resource agency and two specialised agencies; one adoptive parent and one adoptee; one advocate or professor having a minimum experience of 10 years in family law and lastly, a Member Secretary who shall hold the position of the CEO of the authority. 

The Steering Committee performs various functions. These are-

1. To oversee the functioning and the work carried out by the authority from time to time, in the most effective manner;
2. To approve the budgets, the annual accounts, the audit reports as well as the action plan and annual representation of the authority in the best way possible;
3. Any further functions which maybe directed by the Central government to be performed by the authority, in the best interest of the Child being adopted and the adoptive parties. 

There are certain functions that CARA is required to performed, these are-

1. CARA seeks to promote in country as well as inter-country adoptions, and becomes a form of bridge between the adoptive parties, co-ordinating with different state agencies.
2. As a result, CARA seeks to regulate inter-country adoptions by providing necessary norms and procedures to ensure that there is no chaos during the adoption process.
3. To frame regulations on adoption and related matter from time to time as maybe necessary.
4. Any other functions as maybe prescribed and provided for by the Central government or any State agency.