The population of senior citizens in India is expected to reach 225 million by 2036 and around 425 million by 2061, according to the 2011 census. The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) initiative addresses senior citizens’ health, financial, and social needs. Benefits of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) are received by various senior living citizens of the country.

Formerly the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrc), the scheme was revamped in 2021 and renamed Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).

AVYAY has two programmes: the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY). Let us learn more about them.

Integrated Programme For Senior Citizens (IPSrC):

IPSrC provides financial support to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) running old-age homes, care homes, etc., and provides seniors free shelter, food, healthcare, and entertainment, especially those who are destitute or cannot afford basic needs.

According to a 2020 report by the New Delhi-based Indian Institute of Public Administration, around 42 per cent of IPSrC beneficiaries had no access to any financial support previously. Seventy per cent of beneficiaries could access financial aid after induction into the scheme.

Data from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment show that there were 552 senior citizens homes and 14 continuous care homes as of July 2023. Around 361 districts have been covered under the scheme, benefiting some 1.5 lakh seniors living in senior citizen homes.

However, AVYAY benefits extend beyond senior living and healthcare. It provides assisted living support to disabled or infirm people due to old age under the RVY programme.

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY):

RVY operates under AVYAY and provides assisted living devices, like spectacles, walking sticks, hearing aids, artificial dentures, etc., for free. These benefits are for seniors in the below poverty line (BPL) category or those earning not more than Rs 15,000 per month. To avail of these devices, seniors must produce either the BPL card, old age pension proof, Aadhaar card, or the acknowledgement number of the Aadhaar card application.

The scheme’s objective is to provide seniors with a safe environment and ensure their basic needs are met. To avail of these services or seek assistance in financial, healthcare, emotional issues, etc., seniors can call the toll-free helpline number 14567, also called ‘Elderline’, between

8 am and 8 pm seven days a week. It is operational in 31 states and union territories. This toll-free number was launched on October 1, 2021.