The 21-year age gap requirement protects against potential exploitation. It applies specifically when a male adopts a female child. When a female adopts a male child, the same 21-year gap requirement applies (S.11(ii)). Same-sex adoptions have no such age gap requirement.

1. 1 Pick up Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956.
2. 2 Go to Section 11 — Other conditions for a valid adoption.
3. 3 Read clause (iii): 'if the adoption is by a male and the person to be adopted is a female, the adoptive father is at least twenty-one years older.'

The text reads: Section 11(iii): Male adopting a female child → must be at least 21 years older than the adopted daughter.