New National Policy for Senior Citizens by 2047

Population projections estimate 20% of the country will be senior citizens by 2047; discussions focus on how the draft policy should ‘reflect demographic realities’ as India heads into the future

Why Is the Government Drafting a New National Policy for Senior Citizens?

A new national policy on senior citizens is currently in the draft stages with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, according to government officials. This initiative is being developed to align with India’s shifting demographic landscape, as population projections estimate that 20% of the country’s population will be senior citizens by 2047. The policy was a central point of discussion on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, during the fourth meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens, chaired by Union Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar.

In a statement, the Social Justice Ministry emphasized that the draft policy must “reflect the demographic realities” India is expected to face in the coming decades. According to historical data, senior citizens accounted for 8.23% of India’s total population in the 2011 Census. This percentage is projected to rise to 12.16% in 2026, reflecting a steady increase in the ageing population. To better inform future planning and implementation, the government also confirmed that the forthcoming Census will use March 2027 as its reference period for a national headcount.

A senior government official stated, “The policy is in a draft stage now. Suggestions have already come in from relevant stakeholders and some of these suggestions were put forth at the meeting on Wednesday.” Among the key recommendations was the need to acknowledge and plan for the significant increase in India’s senior citizen population by 2047, ensuring that the policy is both future-ready and inclusive.

Beyond demographic trends, the Council also deliberated on the issue of “digital inclusion” for senior citizens, recognizing the need to bridge the digital divide for older adults as more services and social interactions move online. This initiative aims to empower senior citizens through access to digital tools, training, and infrastructure to improve their quality of life and social participation.

What Are the Key Focus Areas in New National Policy for Senior Citizens by 2047?

The meeting also discussed institutionalising the roles of NGOs and senior citizen associations in the policy formulation, implementation, and feedback mechanisms, with the aim of creating a participatory governance model for elder care. The government highlighted the importance of integrating these organizations more systematically into the policy framework to ensure a more grounded and community-driven approach.

In addition, deliberations extended to establishing a dedicated grievance redress mechanism to address elder abuse and neglect, a growing concern in both urban and rural settings. The Council emphasized the urgency of implementing minimum standards for “old age homes” and senior care institutions, in order to guarantee dignity, safety, and care for residents.

The discussions further stressed the need to promote community engagement and intergenerational bonding, recognizing the social and emotional well-being of seniors as a critical component of holistic elder care. Encouraging intergenerational ties not only fosters empathy but also reduces isolation among senior citizens.

Which Government Schemes Support Senior Citizens in India?

The Council also conducted a detailed review of ongoing schemes under the Ministry, especially the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC). According to the Ministry’s statement, under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), over five lakh senior citizens have received free assisted living devices, which include aids for hearing, mobility, vision, and other needs that help enhance their daily functioning.

Meanwhile, under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), the Ministry is supporting 708 NGOs that are operating various facilities such as continuous care homes, physiotherapy centres, old age homes, and mobile medicare units. These programs provide a broad safety net for senior citizens and help ensure access to health services and community-based support.

All these efforts are unified under the “National Action Plan for Welfare of Senior Citizens” (NAPWSC), an umbrella initiative launched by the Ministry in April 2020. This action plan consolidated various welfare programs and introduced targeted interventions to improve the lives of the elderly.

India’s policy landscape for the elderly began with the National Policy on Older Persons introduced in 1999. This was followed by a National Policy for Senior Citizens (NPSC) in 2011, developed under a commission headed by Mohini Giri, which remained in place until the National Action Plan (NAP) was launched in 2020. Now, with the 2047 horizon approaching and the senior population projected to reach one-fifth of the country’s total, the government is preparing a new policy that will redefine the future of elder care in India.

As the draft policy continues to evolve with input from stakeholders, experts, and civil society, the government aims to ensure that every senior citizen in India lives with dignity, security, and active participation in society.