International Day of Older Persons 2026: ‘The Age of Longevity’ theme
Why in the news
The International Day of Older Persons was observed on 1 October 2026, the 36th edition, with the theme ‘The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives’.
Key facts
- Origin: the UN General Assembly established the day in 1990 through resolution 45/106; it was first marked in 1991.
- UN message: Secretary-General António Guterres said the number of people aged 60 and above will rise from about 1.2 billion now to 2.1 billion by 2050, nearly one in five people. He urged changes in jobs, pensions, housing, health care and lifelong learning.
- WHO: the day falls at the midpoint of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030).
- India: on 2 October 2026, Social Justice Minister Dr Virendra Kumar and Minister of State B.L. Verma are to give 662 assistive devices worth over ₹10 lakh to 114 senior citizens from Delhi-NCR old age homes at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
About Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Launched | 1 April 2017 |
| Umbrella scheme | Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) |
| Implementing agency | ALIMCO |
| Reach so far | Over 10 lakh seniors; more than 55 lakh devices; about 45% women |
| Centres | 109 PM Divyasha Vayoshri Kendras |
The scheme gives free aids such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking aids and spinal supports to eligible seniors with age-related disabilities.
Exam angle
- 1 October: International Day of Older Persons (UNGA resolution 45/106, 1990).
- 2026 theme centres on longevity and rethinking systems.
- RVY falls under AVYAY and is implemented by ALIMCO.