The elderly play a very important role in society, especially in terms of holding families together and guiding the youth. Indian society has traditionally been inclusive of its elderly where the senior members of the family are integral to the unit and play an important role as a matriarch or a patriarch in discussions, decision-making, counselling even in providing financial support to the family. With changing times, however, and ‘modern’ lifestyle being adopted by more and more families today, in urban zones primarily but in rural India as well, the role of the elderly is changing too.
According to the 2011 Population Census, there are nearly 104 million elderly persons (aged 60 years or above) in India of which 53 million are females and 51 million happen to be males. A report released by the United Nations Population Fund indicates that, in India, the number of elderly persons is expected to grow to 173 million by 2026.
The number game
The Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States 2011-2036 suggests that there are nearly 138 million elderly persons in India in 2021 (67 million males and 71 million females) – this number is expected to increase further by around 56 million in the next decade, i.e., by 2031.
The number of elderly people in India is increasing – in share and by size too. So, in 1961 the proportion of the elderly was 5.6 per cent and that rose to 8.6 per cent in 2011. This proportion further increased to 10.1 per cent in the year 2021 and is touted to increase to 13.1 per cent in 2031. Of these, the percentage for males stands at 8.2 per cent while that for the females at 9.0 per cent.
Another interesting trend is that as per the 1991 Population Census, the number of elderly that were females exceeded the number of elderly that were males. This, however, has changed in the last two decades. In fact, the trend has reversed and today the number of elderly that are males are more than the number of elderly females. Moreover, future projections reveal the trend will reverse again and in 2031 the number of elderly females will exceed the number of elderly males. As per 2011 Population Census, 71 per cent (73 million) of the elderly population resides in rural areas while only 29 per cent (31 million) resides in urban areas.
The Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States 2011-2036 reveals that in 2021, Kerala had the maximum proportion of elderly people in its population (16.5 per cent) followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (13.1 per cent), Punjab (12.6 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh (12.4 per cent). And, this proportion is the least in Bihar (7.7 per cent) followed by Uttar Pradesh (8.1 per cent) and Assam (8.2 per cent).
Policy focusing on the elderly
The National Elderly Policy defines person who has attained the age of 60 years as elderly. The National Policy on Older Persons was announced by the Government of India in 1999 and was a concrete step in the right direction in pursuance of the UN General Assembly Resolution 47/5 to observe 1999 as International Year of Older Persons.
It was also in furtherance of the assurances made to the elderly in the Indian Constitution under Article 41 that mandates the well-being of senior citizens. In India, the social security is the concurrent responsibility of the central and state governments.
The implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons was further strengthened by international commitments. The Madrid Plan of Action and the United Nations Principles for Senior Citizens adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2002, the Proclamation on Ageing and the global targets on ageing for the Year 2001 adopted by the General Assembly in 1992, the Shanghai Plan of Action 2002 and the Macau Outcome document 2007 adopted by UNESCAP form the basis for the global policy guidelines to encourage governments to design and implement their own policies from time to time.
India is a signatory to all the aforementioned documents and proclamations that is a strong indication of the nation’s resolve to care for and address the concerns of its elderly.
As part of this, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment takes care of the pensions, travel concessions, income tax relief, medical benefit, extra interest on savings, security of older persons, etc. The ministry’s landmark legislation ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens’ Act 2007 was a big step in ensuring the rights of the elderly are secured.
New policy addresses new challenges
The ‘National Policy for Senior Citizens 2011’ has taken into consideration the rapid increase in the elderly population among other factors. The changes in the Indian economy, transforming social fabric in the country, privatisation of health sector also have been considered. The new policy addresses issues concerning the elderly or the senior citizens living in rural and urban areas, those with special needs and the older women in particular.
One of the primary goals of the new policy has been ‘to mainstream senior citizens, especially older women, and bring their concerns into the national development debate with priority to implement mechanisms already set by governments and supported by civil society and senior citizens’ associations and promote such associations especially for older women.’
The main areas of intervention under this policy are: Income security in old age; Healthcare; Safety and Security;
Senior citizens need careHousing; Productive Ageing; Welfare; Multi-generational bonding; and awareness. Also, several implementation mechanisms have been developed at multiple levels to further the goals of the policy.
Healthcare, housing and financial security
Healthcare needs of senior citizens are given high priority with the goal of providing good, affordable health service that is subsidised for the poor. Under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, coverage has been increased in all districts and efforts are being made to include senior citizens to a large extent.
The other basic need, housing, is also given a priority for senior citizens and housing schemes of the government have specially earmarked provisions for the elderly promoting age-friendly facilities and standards of universal design by Bureau of Indian Standards.
The Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) through the Mo/ SJ&E aims to improve the quality of life of older persons by providing shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities, etc. Other schemes include the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) where assistance is offered to those elderly who fall in the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category and suffer from age-related disabilities.
Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) run by the Ministry of Finance is a social security scheme for senior citizens. The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PNVVY) launched in 2017 also provides social security implemented by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a national award given by the President of India to eminent senior citizens and institutions rendering distinguished services for the cause of elderly persons especially indigent senior citizens. These awards are presented as part of the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) on 1 October.