# Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): unified senior citizens' scheme, Rs 77.98 crore released for 755 projects URL: https://kasba.co.in/en/story/atal-vayo-abhyuday-yojana-avyay-unified-senior-citizens-sche Language: en · Section: Schemes · Published: 2026-10-27 Source: PIB, "अटल वयो अभ्युदय योजना", 2026-10-27, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2328816 The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has released Rs 77.98 crore as grants for 755 projects under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY). The scheme supports shelter, healthcare, assistive devices and care services for senior citizens. ## What this means for you The scheme runs mainly through old-age homes, care centres and state governments, so ordinary citizens do not apply to it directly. If an elderly person near you needs assistive devices or care, they can call the Elderline helpline 14567 for free guidance. District administrations and Elderline can also help locate an old-age home or care centre. ## Key facts - Census 2011 counted 10.38 crore senior citizens aged 60 and above in India. - The number of senior citizens is projected to reach 23 crore by 2036. - In FY 2026-27, Rs 77.98 crore was released for 755 projects for the quarter ending 30 September 2026. - Under IPSRC, 764 senior citizen homes, 13 continuing care centres, 17 mobile medical units and 3 physiotherapy clinics are being supported. - Under the National Vayoshri Yojana, over 10.45 lakh senior citizens have received 55,87,653 assistive devices. - More than 8.66 lakh calls to the Elderline helpline 14567 have been acted upon. ## What the scheme is The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) is a unified scheme for senior citizens, launched in 2021. It merges and expands the earlier National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC). Its aim is to give older people practical support such as food, shelter, healthcare and recreation, and to promote active ageing. ## Why it is needed According to Census 2011, India has 10.38 crore senior citizens aged 60 and above, including 5.11 crore men and 5.27 crore women. By 2036, this number is projected to reach 23 crore. At the same time, urbanisation, migration and nuclear families are weakening the traditional family support that older people relied on. ## What happened recently For the quarter ending 30 September 2026 in financial year 2026-27, Rs 77.98 crore was released as support grants for 755 projects under the scheme's 'Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens' component. ## How the scheme runs The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry, responsible for policy, funding and monitoring. State and Union Territory governments prepare and implement their own state action plans. Selection of beneficiaries and ground-level monitoring of old-age homes is done by district committees headed by the District Collector/Magistrate. ## What support is provided The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSRC) gives grants directly to NGOs, Panchayati Raj institutions and local bodies to run and maintain old-age homes, continuing care centres, mobile medical units, physiotherapy clinics and regional resource and training centres. Currently, 764 senior citizen homes, 13 continuing care centres, 17 mobile medical units and 3 physiotherapy clinics are being supported. The National Vayoshri Yojana, launched in 2017, is now part of this scheme. Under it, eligible senior citizens facing age-related physical disability or weakness are given assistive devices. So far, more than 10.45 lakh senior citizens have received 55,87,653 assistive devices. ## Where to get help The Elderline helpline for senior citizens is 14567, launched in October 2021. It offers free information, guidance and emotional support, and works with district administrations and NGOs to provide on-ground help where needed. In May 2026, the 'Jeevan' mobile app and the 'Shatayu' care training dashboard were also launched, helping users find scheme information, emergency support and trained caregivers. ## Questions and answers **What is the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana?** It is a unified scheme for senior citizens launched in 2021. It brings together support for shelter, healthcare, assistive devices, skill development and care under one framework. **Can I apply directly under this scheme?** No, the scheme is implemented through governments, NGOs and local bodies. Selection of beneficiaries and monitoring of old-age homes is done by district committees headed by the District Collector/Magistrate. **What is the helpline number for senior citizens?** The Elderline helpline number is 14567, launched in October 2021. It offers free information, guidance and emotional support. **Where can senior citizens get assistive devices?** Under the National Vayoshri Yojana, eligible senior citizens receive assistive devices through camps and walk-in centres at Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Vayoshri Kendras, which are run by ALIMCO. **How can I find a trained caregiver?** The 'Shatayu' dashboard shows the availability of trained caregivers at district and state level. According to the dashboard, there are 30,151 caregivers in total. Kasba Desk, Kasba. This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing.