Centre releases Rs 78 crore for senior citizens' welfare scheme
iStockLaunched in 2021, AVYAY is a flagship scheme of the ministry that promotes "ageing with dignity" and "ageing in place" by ensuring older persons can live with respect, security, and independence.
New Delhi: The Centre has released Rs 77.98 crore in grant-in-aid for 755 projects under its senior citizens' welfare scheme for the quarter ending September 30, 2026, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry said it has released funds under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), for the financial year 2026-27.
Launched in 2021, AVYAY is a flagship scheme of the ministry that promotes "ageing with dignity" and "ageing in place" by ensuring older persons can live with respect, security, and independence.
The ministry said the assistance aims to strengthen service delivery and welfare interventions for senior citizens through institutional care and related facilities.
With India's senior citizen population projected to reach 23 crore by 2036, the need for comprehensive and accessible support systems is growing. The scheme seeks to address this demographic challenge by strengthening institutional mechanisms and encouraging community participation, it said.
According to the 2011 Census, India had 10.38 crore people aged 60 years and above, including 5.11 crore males and 5.27 crore females.
The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) highlights functional limitations among a substantial proportion of older persons, underscoring the need for reliable care, healthcare services and community-based support, the ministry said.
Increasing urbanisation, migration and the growth of nuclear households are also changing traditional family support structures, making institutional and community-based care increasingly important for senior citizens, it added.
AVYAY subsumed and expanded the earlier National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), bringing multiple interventions for older persons under a unified scheme.
The scheme aims to provide shelter, food, healthcare and recreational services while strengthening the capacities of governments, non-governmental organisations, local bodies and communities to support older persons.
The "ageing in place" approach promotes an environment where senior citizens can continue living safely in their homes and communities, supported by suitable home modifications and specialised community-based services where needed, the ministry said.
The scheme combines institutional assistance, state-level planning, and district-level monitoring, focusing on the dignity, well-being, independence, and social inclusion of older persons.
Under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) component, state and Union Territory governments prepare and implement welfare action plans tailored to their respective requirements, with financial support from the ministry.
The ministry said it has released funds under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), for the financial year 2026-27.
Launched in 2021, AVYAY is a flagship scheme of the ministry that promotes "ageing with dignity" and "ageing in place" by ensuring older persons can live with respect, security, and independence.
The ministry said the assistance aims to strengthen service delivery and welfare interventions for senior citizens through institutional care and related facilities.
With India's senior citizen population projected to reach 23 crore by 2036, the need for comprehensive and accessible support systems is growing. The scheme seeks to address this demographic challenge by strengthening institutional mechanisms and encouraging community participation, it said.
According to the 2011 Census, India had 10.38 crore people aged 60 years and above, including 5.11 crore males and 5.27 crore females.
The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) highlights functional limitations among a substantial proportion of older persons, underscoring the need for reliable care, healthcare services and community-based support, the ministry said.
Increasing urbanisation, migration and the growth of nuclear households are also changing traditional family support structures, making institutional and community-based care increasingly important for senior citizens, it added.
AVYAY subsumed and expanded the earlier National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), bringing multiple interventions for older persons under a unified scheme.
The scheme aims to provide shelter, food, healthcare and recreational services while strengthening the capacities of governments, non-governmental organisations, local bodies and communities to support older persons.
The "ageing in place" approach promotes an environment where senior citizens can continue living safely in their homes and communities, supported by suitable home modifications and specialised community-based services where needed, the ministry said.
The scheme combines institutional assistance, state-level planning, and district-level monitoring, focusing on the dignity, well-being, independence, and social inclusion of older persons.
Under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) component, state and Union Territory governments prepare and implement welfare action plans tailored to their respective requirements, with financial support from the ministry.