Rights and Benefits Offered By Central Government To Senior Citizens

With India’s ageing population expected to double by 2050, it is important to extend support to the senior citizens.

The government plays an important role in this by putting in multiple mechanisms to protect and empower India’s senior citizens. These schemes reflect a broader commitment to ensure that ageing in India is not marked by neglect, but provides the right sort of support, dignity, and encourages the continued participation of the elderly in society.

Here are a list of such legal rights and financial and pension support for the elderly in India.

Legal Rights and Protections

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, gives elderly individuals the right to demand financial support from their children and heirs. It also ensures protection against neglect or abuse through legal mechanisms to safeguard their property and personal security.

Financial Security and Pension Support

The central government offers pension schemes for the elderly, especially those from the economically weaker sections of the society to promote social inclusion. Senior citizens above 60 years receive monthly financial assistance, with higher amounts allocated to those over 80 years of age. Retirement schemes also include voluntary pension plans tailored for the unorganised sector workers, and tax-saving investment options.

One of the most popular investment schemes for senior citizens in the Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme (SCSS). The banks also provide enhanced deposit rate on fixed deposits by senior citizens.

Healthcare Access and Insurance

Senior citizens are included in major health insurance schemes which provide free or subsidised hospitalisation for various ailments. Special provisions ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for those aged above 70 years of age.

One such scheme is the Ayushman Bharat Yojana which was launched in 2018 under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to provide comprehensive health coverage to beneficiaries. These beneficiaries were selected based on the socio-economic caste census (SECC) of 2011 and comprised people from the economically weaker section of society. However, in September 2024, the Union Cabinet approved an expansion of the scheme to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. Subsequently, in October 2024, the government introduced Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards, enabling seniors to access the services under the scheme.  

Travel and Transport Concessions

Senior citizens can avail of fare discounts while travelling on Indian Railways, with separate quotas and preferred seating and assistance to those with mobility issues.

Welfare Schemes and Assisted Living

There are also some government programmes that provide free assistive devices to elderly individuals from the below-poverty line (BPL) category who suffer from age-related disabilities. Additionally, integrated welfare schemes support shelter homes, recreational facilities, and healthcare services to enhance the overall quality of life for senior citizens.

Skill Development and Caregiving Support

The Centre also has initiatives to help the elderly upskill or develop skills to help them earn livelihood in old age, if required. This special training initiative helps create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the elderly people.

Some of these schemes include the Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction (AGRASR), which encourages senior citizens to form self-help groups (SHGs) and engage in activities to create marketable products, the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), which is a welfare scheme that includes provisions for financial security, healthcare, and shelter for senior citizens, and the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), which covers various aspects of senior citizen welfare, including employment opportunities. 

In 2021, the government had also launched the Senior Citizen Employment Scheme, also known as the Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) programme with the intention to connect experienced senior citizens with suitable employment opportunities. This programme was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India to provide a platform for senior citizens to find jobs and for companies to leverage their experience and skills.