Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956
8. Capacity of a female Hindu to take in adoption
Any female Hindu-
(a) who is of sound mind,
(b) who is not a minor, and
(c) who is not married, or if married, whose marriage has been
dissolved or whose husband is dead or has completely and finally renounced the
world or has ceased to be a Hindu or has been declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be of unsound mind, has the capacity to take a son or daughter
in adoption.