**Executive Summary**
On 22 May 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment hosted a National Workshop on “Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy” to establish a structured, technology-enabled care framework. During the event, the Union Minister launched the JEEVAN app for senior citizens and the SHATAYU dashboard for tracking geriatric caregivers. Representatives from State and UT administrations are now expected to conduct internal workshops based on the deliberations of this session.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Digital Infrastructure Launches**
* **JEEVAN Mobile App:** Launched to facilitate senior citizens' access to welfare services, information, and virtual support mechanisms.
* **SHATAYU Dashboard:** Established as a centralized digital platform providing information on trained geriatric caregivers across India.
* **Strategic Objectives for the Care Economy**
* Transitioning care work from a perceived "social good" to a recognized economic asset through valuation and monetization.
* Utilizing the care economy as a primary pathway for women’s empowerment and the creation of inclusive livelihoods.
* Strengthening long-term care (LTC) systems and identifying sustainable financing models for the sector.
* **Workforce and Standards**
* Focus on developing a "responsive, inclusive, and sustainable" ecosystem where caregivers are both technically trained and sensitized to be empathetic.
* Enhancing the care workforce by focusing on standardized skills, mobility, and professional standards.
* Expanding the export of care services to global markets by building a robust domestic infrastructure.
* **Collaborative Framework**
* The workshop involved four thematic discussion groups chaired by senior department officers to propose practical, actionable solutions.
* Participants included representatives from Central Ministries, State/UT Governments, domain experts, and academia.
**Impact Analysis**
**Senior Citizens**
* **Impact:** They gain streamlined, digital access to welfare services and a network of support through the JEEVAN app.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the JEEVAN mobile application to access information and available welfare services.
**Geriatric Caregivers**
* **Impact:** Increased professional visibility through the SHATAYU dashboard and access to a structured training ecosystem.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the SHATAYU platform and undergo training to meet new empathy-based and professional standards.
**Women**
* **Impact:** The development of the care economy is expected to provide significant opportunities for empowerment and inclusive livelihood opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the expanding care service sector and associated training programs.
**State and UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** These bodies are now responsible for localizing the national framework and deliberating on the workshop's takeaways.
* **Action Required:** Conduct internal workshops within their respective jurisdictions to implement the care economy strategies discussed.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The primary government ministry responsible for organizing the national workshop and developing a structured care economy framework for senior citizens.
JEEVAN (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network): A mobile application launched to facilitate access to welfare services, information, and support mechanisms for senior citizens.
SHATAYU (Senior Holistic-care Assistance and Training for Your Utility): A centralized digital dashboard serving as a platform for information regarding trained geriatric caregivers across India.
National Workshop on “Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy”: A policy-level initiative to deliberate on strengthening the care ecosystem, caregiver support, and inclusive livelihood opportunities.
Dr. Virendra Kumar: The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment who launched the digital initiatives and presided over the development of the care economy framework.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Successfully Hosts National Workshop on
“Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy”
through virtual mode
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar Launches JEEVAN App for
Senior Citizens and SHATAYU Dashboard for Geriatric
Caregivers
Posted On: 22 MAY 2026 6:34PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, successfully organised the One-day National
Workshop (through virtual mode) on “Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy” on 22 May 2026. The
Workshop was attended by the representatives from Central Ministries/Departments, State
Governments/UT Administrations, domain experts and academia to deliberate upon strengthening care
ecosystem in the country.
The Workshop commenced with a welcome address by the Joint Secretary (Senior Citizen), followed by
an address by Sh. Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, who
underscored the need for developing a responsive, inclusive and sustainable care ecosystem for senior
citizens.
Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment and Shri Ramdas
Athawale, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, also addressed the participants
and highlighted the Government’s commitment towards strengthening long-term care systems, caregiver
support and inclusive livelihood opportunities.Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister (Social Justice and Empowerment) launched the JEEVAN (Joint
Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) Mobile App to facilitate access to welfare services,
information and support mechanisms for senior citizens and SHATAYU (Senior Holistic-care Assistance
and Training for Your Utility) Dashboard to serve as a centralized digital platform for information relating
to trained geriatric caregivers across the country.
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister (SJ&E) first administered the pledge for Senior Citizen Welfare
followed by the pledge on Nasha Mukt Bharat.
In his address, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister (SJ&E) highlighted the changing social structures,
transitioning family ecosystems and the rising need for the caregivers in the country. Hon’ble Minister
emphasized that an ecosystem needs to be developed where the Caregivers are trained as well as
sensitized to be empathetic.
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister (SJ&E) also stated that the development of a robust care ecosystem
in the country presents immense opportunities for strengthening women’s empowerment and expanding
the export of care services globally. He appreciated the thoughtfully selected themes of the workshop and
called upon the participants to engage in meaningful deliberations and propose practical, actionable
solutions for achieving the objectives of the Workshop.
Following the inaugural session, participants were divided into four thematic discussion groups for in-
depth deliberations on critical aspects of the Care Economy. The four groups chaired by the Senior officers
of the Department also included State Governments/UT Administrations, domain experts and academia.
These groups deliberated upon the following themes:1. Valuing and Monetizing Care Work: From Social Good to Economic Asset
2. Care Economy as a Pathway to Women’s Empowerment and Inclusive Livelihoods
3. Strengthening the Care Workforce: Skills, Standards and Mobility
4. Understanding the Care Economy: Financing the Long-Term Care (LTC)
The participants successfully deliberated on the allocated themes and presented their take aways for the
States/ UTs to conduct their internal Workshops.
The initiative marks a significant step towards developing a structured, inclusive and technology-enabled
care economy framework in India.
***
SM/AJ
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