Government Expands Elder-Law Awareness as India Faces a Projected 34 Crore Seniors by 2050
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, in partnership with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), conducted a national session on 18 November 2025 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre to strengthen public awareness of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (MWPSC Act), 2007. The event brought together senior members of the judiciary, legal-aid institutions, law-school faculty, lawyers, social-sector organisations and senior-citizen groups to build deeper understanding of the Act’s provisions and the legal rights of older persons.
The session highlighted India’s demographic trajectory: the population of senior citizens, 10.38 crore in 2011, is projected to reach 34 crore by 2050, underlining the growing need for accessible legal safeguards, financial security and institutional support. Discussions emphasised the Act’s central features—mandatory monthly maintenance by children or specified relatives, the role of tribunals, provisions for protection from neglect and abandonment, and mechanisms for grievance redress.
This initiative forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to enhance social protection for older persons, complementing programmes such as the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana and aligning with the National Policy for Senior Citizens. By strengthening awareness and enforcement, the government aims to ensure that senior citizens can access legal remedies easily and assert their rights with confidence.
What is the MWPSC Act (2007)? → It is a law that mandates children and certain relatives to provide monthly maintenance to senior citizens and parents unable to support themselves, and establishes tribunals and penalties to ensure their protection and welfare.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can state and district legal services authorities deepen grassroots enforcement of the MWPSC Act and ensure that senior citizens—especially those with limited mobility or financial resources—can access timely legal aid and grievance redress?
Follow the full news here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191178