Schemes for The Welfare of Senior Citizens

The Government of India is implementing various schemes and programmes to provide healthy,
happy empowered dignified and self-reliant life to senior citizens, alongwith strong social and
inter-generational bonding.
Government is aware about the need of love, care, medical, housing, etc. of the senior citizens. For
this purpose, various schemes/ programmes are being implemented by the Government for
welfare of senior citizens. The details of these Schemes/ Programmes are at Annexure-I.

• Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) scheme aims to ensure improved
quality of life for senior citizens by providing basic comforts like housing, food, medical
care, entertainment, etc.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is a central sector scheme that is funded by the Senior
Citizens’ Welfare Fund. All amounts that are not claimed from small savings accounts, PPF
and EPF are transferred to this fund. This scheme provides senior citizens belonging to
the BPL category with aids and assistive devices to address age-related disabilities.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) under the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment implements the scheme.
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the National Social
Assistance Programme (NSAP) provides financial assistance to senior citizens belonging
to the BPL category. Central assistance of Rs.200 per month is provided to persons in the
age group of 60-79 years and Rs.500 per month to persons of 80 years and above.
• Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) run by the Ministry of Finance was first
launched in 2003 and then re-launched in 2014. It is a social security scheme that gave a
guaranteed minimum pension on a guaranteed minimum return on the subscription
amount.
• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), launched in May 2017, aims to
provide social security during the old age. This scheme is a simplified version of the VPBY
and will be implemented by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India. Senior citizens
who are eligible to invest in this scheme can invest a maximum amount of Rs.15 lakh on
or before March 31, 2020. For the policy term of 10 years, senior citizens get a minimum
pension of Rs.1,000 per month and a maximum of Rs.10,000 per month depending on the
amount invested.
• Vayoshreshtha Samman: It is a scheme of awards instituted by the Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment and gradually upgraded to the status of National Awards, for
institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of the elderly
population, especially indigent senior citizens and to eminent senior citizens in
recognition of their services. These awards are presented as a part of the celebration of
the International Day of Older Persons on 1st
• Senior Citizens Saving Scheme (SCSS) is a government-backed savings instrument
offered to senior citizens in India. The deposit matures in five years and can be extended
once for an additional three-year period.
• National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) launched by the Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare to address various health-related problems of the senior
citizens. The major objectives under the district level activities of the NPHCE are to
provide dedicated health facilities in district hospitals, community health centres (CHCs),
primary health centres (PHCs) and sub-centres levels through State Health Society. The
healthcare facilities provided under this programme are either free or highly subsidised.
What are the legal provisions that deal with the welfare of senior citizens?
Constitution:
• The government’s duty towards the senior citizens is provided under the articles
in Chapter IV of the constitution, which corresponds to the Directive Principles of State
Policy.
 • Though these provisions cannot be enforced by a court of law as per Article 37, they are
the basis upon which any legislation is drafted.
• Article 41 of the Constitution secured the rights of the senior citizens
to employment, education and public assistance. It says that the state must uphold the
rights in cases of disability, old age or sickness.
• Article 46 states that the educational and economic rights of the senior citizens must be
secured by the government.
• Article 47 asserts that the state must raise the level of nutrition and standard of living
and to improve the public health of the people
• These articles apply to senior citizens.
National Policy for Senior Citizens, 2011:
This policy aims to:
• Mainstream senior citizens’ concerns, especially older women, and bring them into the
national development debate.
• Promote income security, homecare services, old-age pension, health insurance schemes,
housing and other programmes/services
• Promote the care of senior citizens and consider institutional care as the last resort
• Ensure inclusive, barrier-free and age-friendly society that recognises senior citizens’
rights and ensures their full participation
• Distinguish senior citizens as the nation’s asset
• Promote long-term savings instruments and credit activities for rural and urban areas
Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956:
• The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act contains important provisions regulating the
maintenance of wives, widowed daughters-in-law, children, aged parents and other
dependents.
• As per the Act, a Hindu must mandatorily maintain his/her aged parents.
Criminal Procedure Code:
• Under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, elderly parents can claim maintenance
from their children.