Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

Key Highlights:

• The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), launched in 2021, is an integrated framework for the welfare of senior citizens.
• It subsumed the earlier National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC), focusing on institutional care, healthcare, and active ageing.
• The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
• India's senior citizen population (60+) was 10.38 crores in 2011, projected to reach 23 crores by 2036.
• AVYAY operates on the principles of "Ageing with Dignity" and "Ageing at Place".
• Key components include Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), Elderline, SAGE, and SCOPE.

Detailed Insights:

• AVYAY addresses the demographic shift of a rising elderly population and the weakening of traditional family support systems.
• The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) provides grants to NGOs and local bodies for running old age homes, mobile medical units, and physiotherapy clinics.
• The State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) supports states in creating trained geriatric caregivers and implementing state-specific welfare initiatives.
• Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs) act as nodal agencies for capacity building, training, research, and monitoring related to elderly welfare.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), now part of AVYAY, provides assistive living devices to eligible senior citizens with age-related disabilities.
• The National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Elderline) (14567) offers free information, guidance, emotional support, and grievance redressal.
• The JEEVAN App provides information on government schemes, emergency assistance, and a "one-tab call" facility for seniors.
• The SHATAYU Dashboard connects trained geriatric caregivers with senior citizens and strengthens the organized care economy.
• Anubhav Bolta Hai is a knowledge-sharing initiative on the Senior Citizens Portal and JEEVAN app for seniors to share experiences and access information.
• Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE) encourages startups to develop innovative solutions for the elderly, providing equity support up to ₹1 crore.
• The SAGE Portal is a digital platform for identifying, verifying, and aggregating elderly care solutions and connecting startups with users.
• Senior Citizen Opportunities for Productive Engagement (SCOPE) connects experienced senior citizens with businesses for livelihood opportunities.
• PM-SPECIAL focuses on training geriatric caregivers to bridge the demand-supply gap and professionalize services.
• A "Creating Intergenerational Bonding" initiative with Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission aims to strengthen bonds between generations through school-based activities.
• Monitoring includes periodic field inspections by a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU), submission of reports by NGOs, and use of the E-anudaan portal with CCTV feeds.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): An umbrella scheme for senior citizen welfare, providing integrated support for dignified and active ageing.
• Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): A component of AVYAY providing grants to NGOs for running old age homes and other care facilities.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): A component of AVYAY providing assistive devices to senior citizens suffering from age-related disabilities.
• Elderline: A national helpline (14567) for senior citizens offering information, emotional support, and grievance redressal.
• Silver Economy: The system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services aimed at meeting the needs of older people.
• Ageing with Dignity: Ensuring respectful, empowering care for senior citizens that honors their contributions.
• Ageing at Place: Allowing seniors to remain in their own homes and communities safely through adaptable modifications and community support.