The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is supporting residential homes, mobile healthcare units and physiotherapy clinics, while providing ₹19.58 lakh annually to each Regional Resource and Training Centre.
Highlights
- Government supports 764 Senior Citizen Homes under the IPSrC programme.
- 13 Continuous Care Homes are receiving financial assistance.
- 17 Mobile Medicare Units and 3 Physiotherapy Clinics are supported.
- Each Regional Resource and Training Centre receives ₹19.58 lakh annually.
Government Expands Senior Citizen Care Under Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana
New Delhi, October 24, 2026: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is strengthening support for India’s elderly population through the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), which provides financial assistance for residential care, healthcare services and welfare initiatives for senior citizens.
According to an official statement released on October 23, the government is currently supporting 764 Senior Citizen Homes, 13 Continuous Care Homes, 17 Mobile Medicare Units and three Physiotherapy Clinics under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC).
The programme provides financial assistance to eligible non-governmental organisations, state governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies for establishing and maintaining facilities for elderly persons.
Focus on Shelter and Healthcare
The scheme particularly focuses on economically disadvantaged senior citizens who require shelter, medical care and institutional support.
Senior Citizen Homes provide residential care and essential services, while Mobile Medicare Units help improve access to healthcare. Physiotherapy clinics offer additional support for elderly people requiring physical rehabilitation and mobility-related care.
Financial assistance is provided through a grant-in-aid mechanism to eligible implementing organisations.
₹19.58 Lakh Annual Support for Training Centres
Under the scheme, each Regional Resource and Training Centre (RRTC) receives annual financial assistance of ₹19.58 lakh.
These centres function as regional nodal agencies responsible for training, research, documentation, awareness campaigns and capacity building related to senior citizen welfare.
They also support programme monitoring, inspections, database development and coordination with state governments and implementing organisations.
States Can Use 20% Funds for Local Programmes
The State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), another component of AVYAY, provides financial assistance to states and Union Territories for elderly welfare initiatives.
These include developing trained geriatric caregivers, organising special cataract surgery drives and implementing locally relevant welfare programmes.
States and Union Territories can utilise up to 20% of their allocated funds for state-specific initiatives, subject to scheme guidelines and approval.
The government also encourages states to contribute additional resources to strengthen welfare services.
Through these initiatives, AVYAY aims to improve access to shelter, healthcare and social support while promoting dignity and better living conditions for India’s growing elderly population.
