Why in the News?

A new national policy on senior citizens is in the draft stages with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Care for the Elderly in India (Constitutional & Legal Framework, Challenges, etc.)
• News Summary (New Policy, Key Focus Areas, etc.)

Constitutional and Legal Framework for the Elderly

• Article 41 of the Indian Constitution directs the state to make effective provisions for securing the right to public assistance in cases of old age.
• Further, under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, children and legal heirs are obligated to care for their elderly parents, including financial and physical support.
  • The Act provides mechanisms for senior citizens to claim maintenance through tribunals, and mandates state governments to establish old age homes.
• Provisions have also been made in personal laws, income tax rebates, and transport benefits to ease the lives of older citizens.
• In addition, the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) 1999, and its revised draft in 2011, laid the groundwork for inclusive elder care policies.
• However, with India’s changing demographic profile and emerging challenges, a new policy has become necessary.

Challenges Faced by the Elderly in India

• Despite supportive legal provisions, senior citizens in India continue to face numerous challenges:
  • Healthcare Accessibility: Limited geriatric care facilities, lack of regular health check-ups, and high out-of-pocket expenditures remain persistent concerns.
  • Economic Insecurity: Many older individuals are without formal pension systems and rely on informal family support, which is eroding due to migration and urbanization.
  • Social Isolation and Abuse: Changing family structures, reduced intergenerational interactions, and neglect have contributed to emotional and sometimes physical abuse of the elderly.
  • Digital Exclusion: With increasing digitization of services, elderly citizens are often unable to access essential facilities such as banking, healthcare, and government benefits.
  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Old age homes and care centres are unevenly distributed and often fail to meet quality standards.
• These issues demand a holistic policy that combines welfare, dignity, and active aging principles.

News Summary: Drafting a New National Policy on Senior Citizens

• The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced that a new National Policy for Senior Citizens is under formulation.
• This was revealed during the fourth meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens, chaired by Union Minister Virendra Kumar.
• The draft policy is being shaped by inputs from various stakeholders and will align with the country’s evolving demographic landscape.

Demographic Projections and Policy Context

• As per government estimates, the proportion of senior citizens in India is expected to grow significantly from 8.23% in 2011 to 12.16% in 2026, and further to 20% by 2047.
• The policy aims to reflect these demographic realities and ensure adequate provisions for a growing elderly population.
• The government also confirmed that the reference period for the upcoming Census would be March 2027.

Key Areas of Focus

• The Council meeting included deliberations on several critical areas:
  • Digital Inclusion: Aimed at bridging the digital divide, especially for services like healthcare, pension disbursal, and grievance redressal.
  • Role of NGOs and Associations: Efforts are being made to institutionalise senior citizen groups and NGOs into policymaking, implementation, and feedback systems.
  • Grievance Redressal and Elder Abuse: The draft policy may include mechanisms to address elder abuse and neglect, a growing concern.
  • Minimum Standards for Care Facilities: Discussions were held on setting and monitoring standards for old age homes and senior care institutions to ensure better quality of life.
  • Community Engagement and Intergenerational Bonding: The policy may also aim to promote social inclusion through community-based initiatives and intergenerational ties.
• Review of Ongoing Schemes
  • The government also reviewed progress under key schemes such as the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC):
    • Over 5 lakh senior citizens have received free assisted-living devices under RVY.
    • The IPSrC supports 708 NGOs running old age homes, physiotherapy centres, and mobile medicare units.
  • These schemes fall under the broader National Action Plan for Welfare of Senior Citizens (2020), which replaced the earlier 2011 policy.