The Government has implemented various measures to address the needs of senior citizens, focusing on welfare, healthcare, social security, and dignified living.
The Central Government has undertaken a series of initiatives to cater to the growing needs of India's elderly population. As per data from the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, the elderly population is projected to increase from 10 crore in 2011 to 23 crore by 2036, accounting for 14.9% of the total population.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), an umbrella scheme aimed at providing welfare to senior citizens nationwide. The AVYAY consists of 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 aging.
During the last three years, 28,29,63,879 beneficiaries have been covered under AVYAY. The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides grants-in-aid to Non-Governmental and Voluntary Organizations for running and maintaining Senior Citizens Homes and Continuous Care Homes, where indigent senior citizens receive shelter, nutrition, Medicare, and entertainment free of cost.
The State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) supports States and Union Territories in activities including awareness generation, sensitisation, cataract surgeries, and other state-specific initiatives. The Government has also established the National Helpline for Senior Citizens to provide grievance redressal services and generate awareness among senior citizens regarding relevant Acts, schemes, and programs of the Central and State Governments.
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) provides physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens with a monthly income of not more than ₹15,000 who suffer from age-related disabilities or infirmities. The Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) promotes innovative solutions for problems commonly faced by the elderly, while the Training of Geriatric Care Givers component aims to create a professional cadre in the field of geriatric care.
Healthcare support for senior citizens is strengthened through initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, including Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) which provides health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. The National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly focuses on the health and well-being of senior citizens through a community-based primary healthcare approach.
Social security support is provided through the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, offering 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 additional top-ups from States and Union Territories.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
