A civilized society is not defined only by the opportunities it creates for the young, the ambitious and the able-bodied. It is also defined by the protection it extends to its senior citizens who have once contributed towards the building of the nation and now require support beyond the normal family structures. In that sense, the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana is more than a welfare scheme; it is a statement about the kind of country India wants to become.
As per the estimates, the population of the country’s senior citizens was approx. 10 Crores in 2011 and is projected to rise to 23 Crores in 2036. The traditional family structures are transforming the country. Migration, emergence of nuclear families, smaller households, increasing life expectancies and changes in the informal support structures are a few of the key factors that are contributing towards the development of the policy framework based on the principles of “Ageing with Dignity”. A framework that must provide practical, accessible and sustained support.This is where AVYAY is making an important contribution. It adopts a holistic, comprehensive and humane approach towardsthe elderly welfare. While schemes for senior citizens have existed earlier as well, AVYAY signals a shift from fragmented welfare measures towards building an ecosystem of dignity, care and empowerment.
One of the strongest pillars of AVYAY is the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, which supports senior citizen homes, continuous care homes, mobile medical units and physiotherapy units across the country. For thousands of elderly persons abandoned or left without support, these centres have become more than shelters — they have become spaces of belonging.
Take the example of 71-year-old Smt. M. Balasundari from Tamil Nadu. After the untimely demise of her husband, who worked as a tailor, she faced severe financial and emotional hardships. Her only son, who suffers from an eye problem, struggled to support the family. Owing to difficult circumstances and lack of adequate care at home, she was admitted to Ambujam – Home for Senior Citizens, Nagapattinam District, under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) in November 2024.
When she arrived at the Home, she was anxious, lonely and deeply worried about her son’s future. Through regular counselling, social interaction and participation in community activities, she gradually regained her confidence and emotional well-being. Today, she actively participates in gardening, yoga and spiritual activities, and enjoys a dignified and fulfilling life. Her son visits her regularly, providing emotional support and strengthening family bonds. The Home has provided her with free shelter, nutritious food, healthcare, recreational facilities and a safe environment. Her story demonstrates how institutional care and compassionate support under IPSrC can restore dignity, security and happiness to senior citizens facing difficult circumstances.
Equally transformative has been the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, under which assistive devices are distributed free of cost to economically weaker senior citizens suffering from age-related disabilities. More than 46 lakh devices have been given to the 8.43 lakh beneficiaries. For many beneficiaries, a wheelchair, hearing aid or walking stick may appear to be a small intervention — but in reality, it restores independence.
In Koraput, Odhisha, 75-year-oldLalita Paik, struggled with the activities of daily living. She had severe mobility issues including difficulty in walking, needed support for standing and was suffering from low back pain & knee pain. Through the RVY scheme, she received a wheelchair and walking support. Her family members say the assistance changed her daily life, enabling her to move independently and participate once again in community activities. Such interventions demonstrate how welfare schemes can directly improve quality of life when implemented effectively
An important aspect of the RVY is the creation of the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha- VayoshriKendras (PMD-VKs). Aids and Assistive devices are being distributed through the Walk-In Mode to the eligible senior citizens through these Kendras.
Perhaps the most significant and timely initiative under AVYAY is Elderline (14567) — the national helpline for senior citizens. In a society where loneliness among the elderly often remains invisible, the helpline has become an emotional and social lifeline. The fact that over 29 lakh calls have already been received is both encouraging and concerning: encouraging because support systems are reaching people, and concerning because it reveals the scale of distress among senior citizens.
There have been numerous instances where Elderline has intervened to rescue abandoned elderly persons, reconnect them with families, or provide urgent medical and emotional assistance. One case is of Sh. Anantlal Rajak. Sh. Anant lal, 70 years old, was suffering from Dementia and unknowingly reached to Pune Railway Station. He was in abandoned condition and could not recall anything. Elderline team in Maharashtra successfully reunited Sh. Anantlal Rajak with his family in Patna, Bihar. Timely intervention from the Elderline reportedly helped to prevent a far more serious crisis.
At the same time, India’s ageing challenge is not only a welfare issue — it is also an economic opportunity. Under the PM-SPECIAL component of AVYAY Scheme, more than 35,000 trainees have been trained as Geriatric Caregivers. The government’s initiative to train geriatric caregivers reflects an important recognition that the care economy will become one of the largest employment sectors in the future. By training thousands of youth in elderly caregiving, India is simultaneously addressing unemployment and the growing demand for professional eldercare services.
As India’s senior citizen population continues to grow, the need for comprehensive support systems for elderly care will become increasingly important. This presents an opportunity to further strengthen and expand the initiatives already underway under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana. The scheme has established a strong foundation for promoting dignity, care and well-being among senior citizens, while also creating pathways for greater community participation and support.As India advances on its development journey, AVYAY offers a valuable framework for ensuring that every senior citizen can lead a life of dignity, security and active participation in society.
Courtesy PIB Srinagar
The writer is IAS, Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India.
