SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | Ministry of Rural Development | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing multiple welfare programs to ensure the financial, physical, and social well-being of senior citizens. Key initiatives include the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY), which encompasses the Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) for the maintenance of old age homes and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) for providing assistive devices to disabled BPL seniors. Additionally, the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) currently covers over 2.21 crore beneficiaries, providing monthly financial assistance of up to ₹500 for those aged 80 and above. The reach of geriatric healthcare has also expanded significantly, with functional districts under the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) increasing from 595 in 2020-21 to 722 in 2024-25.
Key Pillars of the National Elderly Support Framework
Financial Assistance and Pensions: Under IGNOAPS, eligible BPL citizens aged 60–79 receive ₹200/month, while those 80+ receive ₹500/month, with states encouraged to provide additional top-up assistance.
Institutional Care via IPOP: Providing grants to NGOs for the running of old age homes for indigent seniors; total beneficiaries reached 1.52 lakh in 2024-25.
Functional Independence via RVY: Distributing assistive living devices to BPL seniors with age-related disabilities; expenditure under this scheme surged to ₹208.29 crore in 2024-25.
Specialized Geriatric Healthcare: Expanding the NPHCE to provide dedicated services at district hospitals and Community Health Centres in 722 districts nationwide.
Revised Eligibility and Fiscal Sharing: Proposed revisions in eligibility criteria and sharing patterns during the Fifteenth Finance Commission cycle (2021–26) to improve scheme delivery and coverage.
What is the “Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana” (AVYAY)? The Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) is an umbrella scheme implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment specifically for the welfare of senior citizens. It includes major components such as the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), which funds the maintenance of senior citizen homes, and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), which focuses on restoring functional independence through assistive devices. The scheme represents a holistic approach to elderly care by combining institutional support with physical and social rehabilitation measures.
Policy Relevance
The February 2026 data represents a transition from basic subsistence support to an “Integrated Well-being” model for the elderly. By institutionalizing the AVYAY and expanding healthcare through NPHCE, the government is addressing the multifaceted challenges of India’s rapidly ageing population, estimated to reach significant proportions by 2047.
Strategic Impact:
Enhancing Social Security Coverage: With over 2.21 crore seniors under the IGNOAPS pension net, the scheme provides a vital fiscal floor for the most vulnerable citizens.
Bridging Health Infrastructure Gaps: Expanding functional geriatric districts to 722 ensures that specialized care is available at the local level, reducing the burden on general health systems.
Promoting Active Ageing: The surge in Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana expenditure (₹208.29 crore in 2024-25) reflects a policy focus on restoring mobility and dignity to disabled seniors.
Leveraging NGO Partnerships: IPOP’s reliance on NGO-run homes for 1.52 lakh beneficiaries demonstrates a “Participatory Governance” model for social care.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What 'Minimum Standards of Care' can the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment mandate for all old age homes funded under IPOP to ensure a uniform quality of dignity and safety for indigent seniors across all states?
Follow the full news here: PIB: Elderly Schemes and Beneficiaries