The Central Government has taken a comprehensive range of measures to address the growing needs of senior citizens and ensure their welfare, healthcare, social security and dignified living.

According to written information provided by the Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma in the Lok Sabha to Shri Yadhuveer Wadiyar, India’s elderly population is projected to increase from 10 crore in 2011 to 23 crore by 2036, with its share in the total population rising from 8.4 per cent to 14.9 per cent.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) as an umbrella scheme for the welfare of senior citizens across the country. The scheme comprises seven components covering areas such as shelter and care, State-level interventions, grievance redressal, assistive devices, innovative solutions, geriatric caregiving and other initiatives for healthy and productive ageing.

During the last three years, from 2023-24 to 2025-26, a total of 10,00,456 beneficiaries were covered under AVYAY, 2,21,30,687 beneficiaries under NSAP and 28,29,63,879 beneficiaries under NPHCE.

Under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), grants-in-aid are provided to Non-Governmental and Voluntary Organisations for running and maintaining Senior Citizens Homes and Continuous Care Homes, where indigent senior citizens are provided facilities including shelter, nutrition, Medicare and entertainment free of cost. The State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) supports States and Union Territories for activities including awareness generation, sensitisation, cataract surgeries and other State-specific initiatives.

The Government has also strengthened grievance redressal and support services through Elderline, the National Helpline for Senior Citizens. The toll-free helpline 14567, launched on October 1, 2021, provides grievance redressal services and generates awareness among senior citizens regarding relevant Acts, schemes and programmes of the Central and State Governments.

Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), senior citizens with a monthly income of not more than ₹15,000 and suffering from age-related disabilities or infirmities are provided physical aids and assisted-living devices aimed at restoring near-normal bodily functions. The scheme, launched on April 1, 2017, is implemented through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) component promotes innovative solutions for problems commonly faced by the elderly. Innovative start-ups are identified and encouraged to develop products, processes and services for the welfare of senior citizens, with Government investment in the equity of selected firms not exceeding 49 per cent of their total equity.

To address the increasing demand for professional elderly care, the Government is also implementing the Training of Geriatric Care Givers component, aimed at bridging the gap between the supply and demand for trained geriatric caregivers and creating a professional cadre in the field of geriatric care.

Healthcare support for senior citizens is being strengthened through initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh is provided to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

The National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE) focuses on the health and well-being of senior citizens through a community-based primary healthcare approach, dedicated services at Primary and Community Health Centre levels, dedicated facilities at district hospitals, strengthening of Regional Geriatric Centres and information and education initiatives. The programme also provides for continuous monitoring, independent evaluation and research in geriatrics. The tertiary component of the Rashtriya Varishth Jan Swasthya Yojana has resulted in the establishment of 17 Regional Geriatric Centres and two National Centres of Ageing.

Social security support is also provided through the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. Under the programme, eligible senior citizens receive a central pension share of ₹200 per month for those aged 60–79 years and ₹500 per month for those aged 80 years and above, with States and Union Territories providing additional top-ups.

The Government conducts periodic assessments of AVYAY to review its implementation and outcomes. Discussions are held with stakeholders to assess emerging needs and challenges faced by senior citizens, while third-party evaluations are undertaken before continuation of the scheme during a new financial cycle. The findings and recommendations of these evaluations are used to review implementation and identify emerging needs, with appropriate steps taken to mitigate hardships faced by senior citizens.

The Government’s multi-dimensional approach combines social care, healthcare, pension support, grievance redressal, assistive devices, geriatric caregiving and innovation to respond to the evolving needs of the country’s senior citizen population and promote a life of dignity, security and well-being for the elderly.

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