This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1458 regarding the National Policy on Senior Citizens, answered on July 29, 2025. The response acknowledges the need for a new policy to replace the existing National Policy on Older Persons (1999). The current policy aims to ensure financial and food security, healthcare, shelter, protection, and overall improved quality of life for senior citizens through state support. The need for a revised policy is driven by evolving demographic realities. Population projections from the Technical Group on Population Projections (National Commission on Population) indicate a significant increase in the population of individuals aged 60 years and above. Between 2011 and 2036, this demographic is projected to rise from 100 million to 230 million, increasing their share of the total population from 8.4% to 14.9%. The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, provided the answer.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for social justice and empowerment.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
National Policy on Senior Citizens: A proposed policy by the Government of India concerning senior citizens.
PROF. SOUGATA RAY: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about the National Policy on Senior Citizens.
SHRr B.L.VERMA: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment who provided the answer to the question.
National Policy on Older Persons, 1999: The existing policy in force related to older persons.
National Commission on Population: An Indian government commission related to population matters.
2011: A year mentioned in the report by Technical Group on Population Projections with respect to population of older ages.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTTON NO.14s8
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025
NATIONAL POLICY ON SENIOR CITIZENS
1458. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pteased to state:
(a) whether there is any proposal to implement a new national policy for Senior Citizens of the
country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether such policy will reflect demographic realities, as India heads into the future, if so,
the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government estimated the proposed percentage of senior citizens in 2047, if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(sHRr B.L.VERMA)
(a) & (b): The National Policy on Older Persons,l999 which is already in force envisages State
support to ensure financial and food security, healthcare, shelter, protection and other needs of
older persons to improve the quality of their lives. with the passage of time there is a need to
bring in a new policy.
(c): As per report of Technical Group on Population Projections constituted by the National
Commission on Population, between 201I and 2036, the proportion of population of the older
ages (60 years and above) is projected to increase from l0 crores in 201 I to23 crores in2036 -
an increase in their share to the total population from g.4 to 14.9 percent.
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