Women and Child Development Ministry on Tuesday came down heavily on state governments for going slow on adoption cases and urged them to achieve a target of 20,000 adoptions by next year.

There were 4694, 3924 and 3988 in-country adoptions during 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively and 308, 422 and 374 inter-country adoptions in the same period.

The Ministry has issued a strict deadline to the states to comply with the new guidelines, which draw support from JJ Act. The act also includes the provision of de-recognising illegal adoption centers.

Addressing the National Familiarization Programme organised for states and union territories on the new adoption guidelines, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi said they will have to ensure that a proper system is put in place by September 15.

"States will have to register all Child Care Institutions (CCI) under the JJ Act, recognise at least one State Adoption Agency in each district, ensure registering District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) on CARINGS (Central Adoption Resource Information Guidance System)," she said, adding, a check of all states will be conducted in December.

Taking strong exception to illegal adoptions being carried out through hospitals and unauthorised CCIs across the country, Gandhi said states should take strict action against them as the JJ Act provides a provision for criminal action against such defaulters.

"There should be board outside every hospital clearly stating that it is illegal to take children for adoption and please contact the nearest state adoption agency," she said.