The Centre has released ₹77.98 crore to support 755 welfare projects for senior citizens across India. The money is a grant-in-aid for the quarter that ended on 30 September 2026, according to a PTI report carried by Upstox and Outlook Money on 29 October 2026.
What was announced
The funds go to the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC). This is part of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. AVYAY was earlier called the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.
Under IPSrC, the government funds organisations that run services for older people. The scheme covers shelter, food, healthcare and recreation, with the stated goal of “ageing with dignity”.
Key facts
- Amount released: ₹77.98 crore, as grant-in-aid.
- Projects supported: 755 senior citizen welfare projects.
- Period: the quarter ending 30 September 2026 (financial year 2026-27).
- Scheme: IPSrC, under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), launched in 2021.
- AVYAY also lets states and union territories make their own State Action Plans for Senior Citizens, with central funding support.
- As of August 2025, 696 senior citizen homes were running under the scheme in 29 states and union territories, according to a government (PIB) backgrounder.
Why it matters
India is ageing fast. The 2011 Census counted 10.38 crore people aged 60 and above. Government projections put this at about 23 crore by 2036, or roughly 15% of the population. Women make up 58% of older Indians, and 54% of older women are widows, the PIB backgrounder notes. Many older people rely on the shelter, food and care that these grants help pay for.
What this means for older Indians and families
- Homes and services run under AVYAY receive regular central funding. Families looking for support can ask their district social welfare office which IPSrC-funded projects run near them.
- Elderline, the national toll-free helpline for senior citizens, is 14567.
- Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, eligible seniors with a monthly income up to ₹15,000 can get free assistive devices.
Does your home, NGO or community group support older people? We would like to hear about it. Share your story or email info@healthyageing.world. Organisations can also partner with us.
Sources: Upstox (PTI), 29 October 2026; Outlook Money, 29 October 2026; PIB backgrounder: Elderly in India.
