India's Elderly Support Scheme Shows Significant Progress: Government Updates

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The Indian government has announced that its Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) scheme, aimed at supporting low-income elderly individuals, has shown significant progress. A recent evaluation revealed that the scheme has improved the mobility and functional independence of its beneficiaries, particularly in providing assistive devices. According to Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B L Verma, the evaluation of the RVY and Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRSS) was conducted to assess their continuation in the 2026-31 financial cycle. The study found that the DRRSS has achieved notable outcomes in education, rehabilitation, and livelihood inclusion. The government has also taken steps to improve accessibility in public infrastructure and government buildings under the Accessible India Campaign. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has informed that works, lands, and buildings vested in or possessed by the State fall under the State list. The government has prescribed accessibility standards and regulations under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The Budget Estimates for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) for 2025-26 have been set at ₹1,275 crore, a 4.05% increase from the previous year. The government has also released ₹824.23 crore under the Atal Vayo Abhuydaya Yojana (AVYAY) scheme over the last three years, providing financial support to senior citizen homes, continuous care homes, and mobile medicare units. Additionally, the government has launched the Elderline helpline, which has received over 27 lakh calls, and has trained 35,480 trainees to bridge the demand and supply gap in geriatric care givers. Nine start-ups have been financially supported under the Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine component of the AVYAY scheme to encourage the development of innovative products and services for senior citizens. The DEPwD has also implemented the Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which includes a component for creating barrier-free environments in government buildings and establishments. Under this scheme, 28 Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centres have been established to provide early identification and multidisciplinary intervention services to children with disabilities.