Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) is a government scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens. The scheme was earlier known as the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC) but was revamped and renamed in April 2021 to better reflect its focus on empowerment and welfare.
AVYAY is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to address the financial, healthcare, social, and emotional needs of senior citizens. It promotes their active participation in society while ensuring dignity, security, and respect for the elderly. In this blog, we have provided all the details about this scheme, its features, benefits, and more.
Why was Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana introduced?
India’s population is aging rapidly. According to estimates, the elderly population in India is projected to cross 20% by 2050. With increasing life expectancy, senior citizens face challenges related to health, financial insecurity, social isolation, and lack of age-friendly infrastructure.
The government recognized the need for a structured program to address these issues and provide a supportive ecosystem for the elderly. AVYAY was introduced with the primary aim to:
- Ensure financial security for senior citizens
- Provide healthcare and nutrition support
- Promote active and productive aging
- Protect the dignity and rights of senior citizens
Who are the beneficiaries of AVYAY?
The target group of AVYAY includes senior citizens above 60 years of age. The scheme primarily focuses on the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society. Beneficiaries include:
- Senior citizens belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category
- Senior citizens with a monthly income up to ₹15,000
- Indigent senior citizens requiring shelter, medical care, or assistive devices
What are the main objectives of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana?
AVYAY aims to create an environment where senior citizens can lead dignified and fulfilling lives. Its key objectives include:
- Basic Amenities: Ensure shelter, food, and medical care for indigent senior citizens.
- Financial Security: Provide financial assistance and support to reduce economic vulnerabilities.
- Health and Nutrition: Offer healthcare, nutrition, and preventive measures to promote healthy aging.
- Active Aging: Encourage productive engagement through skill development, capacity building, and community participation.
- Capacity Building: Support State/UT Governments, NGOs, local bodies, and community organizations in implementing programs for the elderly.
- Innovation and Startups: Promote startups and enterprises that develop innovative products and services for senior citizens.
- Caregiver Training: Train professional geriatric caregivers to meet the growing demand for elderly care.
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What are the key components of AVYAY?
AVYAY consists of several components that target the specific needs of senior citizens:
| Component | Description | Features |
| 1. Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) | Provides financial assistance to eligible organizations, NGOs, and local bodies. | – Running Senior Citizen Homes and Continuous Care Homes – Operating Mobile Medicare Units and Physiotherapy Clinics – Providing basic amenities like food, shelter, and medical care |
| 2. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) | Provides assistive devices to senior citizens suffering from age-related disabilities. | – Wheelchairs – Hearing aids – Spectacles – Walking sticks and other mobility aids |
| 3. SAGE (Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine) | Supports innovation and startups developing products and services for elderly care. | – Health devices- Care services – Assistive technologies – Digital solutions enhancing well-being |
| 4. Geriatric Caregiver Training | Professional training provided by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) to geriatric caregivers. | – Training caregivers for homes, clinics, and community centers – Ensuring competent elderly care |
| 5. National Senior Citizens Helpline | All-India helpline to address grievances and provide guidance. | – Immediate assistance for senior citizens – Awareness about rights, entitlements, and welfare schemes |
How is AVYAY implemented?
The implementation of AVYAY is a collaborative effort between the central government, State/UT governments, NGOs, and local bodies. Key strategies include:
- Financial Assistance: Funding is provided through the e-Anudaan portal to eligible NGOs, voluntary organizations, and institutions.
- Capacity Building: Training programs for caregivers and support staff are organized to improve service delivery.
- Infrastructure Development: Age-friendly infrastructure including senior citizen homes, medical centers, and recreation facilities are created.
- Community Engagement: Programs encourage inter-generational bonding and active participation of senior citizens in community development.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular audits, field inspections, and beneficiary feedback ensure accountability and effectiveness of the scheme.
What are the achievements of AVYAY so far?
AVYAY has made significant progress since its launch:
| Achievement | Details |
| Beneficiaries in Senior Citizen Homes | ~1.5 lakh senior citizens residing across India |
| District Coverage | 361 districts nationwide |
| Grants-in-Aid Released | Rs. 288.08 crore over the last 3 financial years |
| Senior Citizens Benefited | 3,63,570 individuals |
| RVY Camps & Devices | 269 camps; 8,48,841 assistive devices distributed to 1,57,514 beneficiaries; Rs. 140.34 crore spent |
| SAGE & Caregiver Training | Support for startups and creation of trained geriatric caregivers |
Why is AVYAY significant for India?
AVYAY plays a critical role in addressing the multifaceted needs of senior citizens. Its significance includes:
- Quality of Life Improvements: Ensures access to healthcare, assistive devices, nutrition, and shelter.
- Financial Inclusion: Reduces economic vulnerabilities of indigent senior citizens.
- Active Aging: Encourages elderly citizens to participate in community and skill-building activities.
- Inter-Generational Bonding: Promotes respect, understanding, and cooperation between generations.
- Age-Friendly Environment: Facilitates the development of senior-friendly infrastructure and services.
- Awareness Creation: Educates citizens about senior rights, welfare schemes, and entitlements.
What are the challenges and gaps in AVYAY?
Despite its success, AVYAY faces several limitations:
- Limited Awareness: Many elderly, especially in rural areas, are unaware of the scheme and its benefits.
- Implementation Challenges: Bureaucratic delays, poor coordination, and inadequate monitoring hinder effective service delivery.
- Urban-Rural Divide: Rural areas often lack access to facilities and services compared to urban centers.
- Insufficient Funding: Funds may not meet the diverse needs of the growing elderly population.
- Shortage of Trained Personnel: There is a lack of qualified caregivers, social workers, and medical professionals specialized in geriatric care.
Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) is a landmark initiative by the Government of India to ensure the welfare, dignity, and empowerment of senior citizens. By addressing their financial, health, and social needs, the scheme enables elderly citizens to live independently, securely, and meaningfully.
Through AVYAY, India is taking important steps toward creating a society where senior citizens are respected, supported, and encouraged to contribute actively, ensuring that aging becomes a period of dignity and fulfillment rather than struggle.
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Key Takeaway
| Aspect | Details |
| Scheme Name | Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) |
| Launched | April 2021 (Revamped from NAPSrC) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Target Group | Senior citizens above 60 years, especially EWS/BPL |
| Main Objectives | Financial security, healthcare, nutrition, active aging, social inclusion |
| Components | IPSrC, RVY, SAGE, Geriatric Caregiver Training, National Senior Citizens Helpline |
| Key Achievements | 1.5 lakh beneficiaries in homes, 8,48,841 assistive devices distributed, 361 districts covered |
| Challenges | Limited awareness, urban-rural divide, inadequate funds, lack of trained personnel |
| Way Forward | Increased funding, awareness campaigns, skill development, age-friendly infrastructure |
| Significance | Improves quality of life, encourages active aging, inter-generational bonding, social inclusion |
Questions based on Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana
- Who is the nodal ministry for AVYAY?
a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
b) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
c) Ministry of Finance
d) Ministry of Women and Child Development
e) Ministry of Rural Development - Which scheme provides assistive devices to elderly citizens under AVYAY?
a) IPSrC
b) RVY
c) SAGE
d) NISD Caregiver Training
e) Senior Citizen Helpline - When was NAPSrC revamped and renamed as AVYAY?
a) 2019
b) 2020
c) 2021
d) 2022
e) 2023 - Which component of AVYAY supports startups for elderly care?
a) IPSrC
b) RVY
c) SAGE
d) Helpline
e) Capacity Building Program - What is the maximum monthly income eligibility for AVYAY beneficiaries?
a) ₹10,000
b) ₹12,000
c) ₹15,000
d) ₹20,000
e) ₹25,000 - Which institution trains professional geriatric caregivers under AVYAY?
a) AIIMS
b) NISD
c) ICMR
d) IGNOU
e) NITI Aayog - Which program under AVYAY provides shelter and medical care to indigent senior citizens?
a) RVY
b) IPSrC
c) SAGE
d) Helpline
e) Awareness Campaigns - Which is NOT a challenge faced by AVYAY?
a) Limited awareness
b) Urban-rural divide
c) Lack of trained personnel
d) Overfunding
e) Implementation issues - Which of the following is a key focus area of AVYAY?
a) Solar energy for rural areas
b) Active aging and inter-generational bonding
c) Space research programs
d) Road infrastructure
e) Water resource management - How many assistive devices were distributed under RVY in the last 3 financial years?
a) 1,00,000
b) 3,50,000
c) 5,00,000
d) 8,48,841
e) 10,00,000
Answer Key
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
| b | b | c | c |
| Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 |
| c | b | b | d |
| Q9 | Q10 |
| b | d |
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