Archive · 8 Sep 2026
India Plans Expanded Elderly Care as Population Expected to Double
India is going to have many more older people in the coming years.
Officials say the number of senior citizens could double by around 2050.
The government wants to improve healthcare, housing, caregiving and other services for them.
People aged 70 and above can receive free treatment through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, with coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh each year.
The government currently supports about 800 care homes.
It is also considering adding day-care homes for older people.
A new app called Jeevan is meant to bring information about senior services together.
Another tool, called the Shatayu dashboard, helps families find caregivers.
Experts say this is also a business opportunity, but India still needs many more assisted-living places and trained care workers.
India’s senior-citizen population is estimated at 16-17 crore and is projected to double over the next 20-22 years, according to Sudhanshu Pant.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides free treatment with annual coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for all citizens aged 70 and above.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment operates about 800 senior-care homes and is considering provisions for day-care facilities.
The Jeevan app consolidates senior-citizen services, while the Shatayu dashboard is designed to match elderly people with available caregivers.
A report estimates India’s senior-living market could reach USD 10.1 billion by 2030, but assisted-living capacity remains far below projected needs.
- Who
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Secretary Sudhanshu Pant, the Association of Senior Living India and JLL are involved in the discussion.
- What
- India is planning a broader ecosystem of healthcare, housing, caregiving and support services for its growing elderly population.
- When
- The report was published on September 8; projections cited in the report extend to 2030 and 2050.
- Where
- India, with services and care facilities being developed across the country, particularly in large cities.
- Why
- Life expectancy and the elderly population are rising, creating greater needs for care while also generating a potential senior-living market.
- Projected elderly population
- The senior population is expected to double by around 2050; estimates cited include 166 million today rising to 346 million.
- Healthcare coverage
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY offers free treatment to people aged 70 and above, with coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
- Existing care homes
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment operates around 800 senior-care homes.
- Senior-living market
- The market could become a USD 10.1 billion opportunity by 2030 under a policy-driven scenario.
- Required investment
- The report estimates that about USD 7.7 billion in capital investment would be needed to meet new senior-living supply.
- Senior homes
- The organised senior-living sector had 25,050 units as of June 2026, with penetration of 1.5 per cent.
- Assisted-living gap
- India has around 2,100 assisted-living beds against a projected need for 11,000 by 2030.