law: Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 
  10. Persons who may be adopted 
  No person shall be capable of being taken in adoption unless the
  
  following conditions are fulfilled, namely,- 
  (i) he or she is Hindu;
  (ii) he or she has not already been adopted;
  (iii) he or she has not been married, unless there is a custom
  
  or usage applicable to the parties which permits persons who are married being
  
  taken in adoption;
  (iv) he or she has not completed the age of fifteen years,
  
  unless there is a custom or usage applicable to the parties which permits
  
  persons who have completed the age of fifteen years being taken in adoption.