☀️ Schemes
Centre releases ₹77.98 crore for 755 senior citizen care projects under AVYAY
In 60 seconds: The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has released ₹77.98 crore as grant-in-aid for 755 projects that care for senior citizens, for the quarter ended 30 September. The money comes under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, part of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) launched in 2021. It supports shelter, food, healthcare and recreation for older people.
Why it matters
India's elderly population is set to reach 23 crore by 2036. Many older people live alone or with health limits, so homes, care and helplines run by NGOs and states are growing in importance.
Explain it simply
A neighbourhood chai stall that keeps a bench and a free cup for the old uncles of the lane is doing a small version of what AVYAY funds.
The 3-minute read
What happened
The grant is for 2026-27 under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, which supports institutional care such as old-age homes and related facilities run by NGOs and other agencies.
Background
AVYAY aims at 'ageing with dignity' and 'ageing in place', helping older people live safely at home with home changes and community services where needed.
How it works
Under a State Action Plan component, states and Union Territories draw up their own welfare plans for senior citizens, and the ministry gives them financial support.
What's next
The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, run by ALIMCO, gives free devices such as walking sticks, wheelchairs, hearing aids and spectacles to eligible seniors earning up to ₹15,000 a month.
What it means for you
If an elderly relative needs help or faces abuse, the free Elderline 14567 can guide you and arrange support on the ground.
Key numbers
- ₹77.98 crore: Grant released, Jul–Sep 2026 quarter
- 755: Projects funded
- 23 crore: Projected senior citizens by 2036
- 10.38 crore: People aged 60+ in Census 2011
Both sides
- The ministry: Regular grants keep homes and care centres for older people running and help them age with dignity.
- Elder-care workers: With the elderly population set to double, care spending will need to grow much faster than quarterly grants of this size.
Key terms explained
- Grant-in-aid
- Money given by the government to an organisation or state to carry out approved work, which does not have to be repaid.
- Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana
- The Centre's umbrella scheme for the welfare of senior citizens, launched in 2021.
The story so far
- 2011: Census counts 10.38 crore people aged 60 and above. The 2011 Census found 10.38 crore senior citizens: 5.11 crore men and 5.27 crore women. Their number is projected to reach 23 crore by 2036.
- 2021: Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) launched; Elderline 14567 helpline starts in October. AVYAY replaced and widened the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens. In October 2021 the national toll-free Elderline 14567 also began, offering guidance and help in abuse cases.
- Today: Centre releases ₹77.98 crore for 755 elder-care projects under AVYAY
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and was launched in 2021.
- Elderline 14567 is the national toll-free helpline for senior citizens.
- The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana provides free assistive devices to seniors and is implemented by ALIMCO.
- The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 makes it a legal duty of children to maintain their parents.
Likely exam question: What challenges does India's ageing population pose? How do schemes like AVYAY address the needs of senior citizens?