Draft National Policy for Senior Citizens: Key Points
Why in the news
A draft of the policy was taken up at the 4th meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens, chaired by Minister Virendra Kumar, with stakeholder inputs aimed at matching India’s changing age profile.
Ageing trend
| Year | Elderly share |
|---|---|
| 2011 Census | 8.23% |
| 2026 (projected) | 12.16% |
| 2047 (projected) | 20% |
The next Census reference period is March 2027.
Draft focus areas
- Digital inclusion: digital literacy to narrow the divide for older people.
- Elder abuse: a dedicated grievance system for abuse and neglect.
- Institutions: NGOs and senior citizen associations to join policy making, delivery and monitoring.
Schemes reviewed
- RVY: follow-up and device quality checked.
- Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): shelter and care for poor elders.
- Senior Citizen Portal: better tracking and feedback.