Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) continues to give free assistive devices to senior citizens across India, and the eligibility rules have been widened over the years. Along with senior citizens from BPL families, those with monthly income up to ₹15,000 can now also apply. Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the central government's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, runs the scheme as the sole implementing agency, and official data shows more than 6.76 lakh senior citizens have already got devices through 297+ camps held so far.
Senior citizens aged 60 years and above who face age related problems such as low vision, hearing loss, missing teeth or difficulty in walking can get walking sticks, hearing aids, wheelchairs, spectacles, artificial dentures and similar devices completely free under this scheme. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana 2026 now runs as part of the bigger Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) umbrella scheme of the central government, and beneficiaries can reach out through camps as well as an Elder Helpline number for support.
How to Apply Online for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana 2026
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment introduced this scheme for providing physical aids and assisted living devices for senior citizens on 1 April 2017. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana was launched with the aim of giving senior citizens suffering from age related disabilities or infirmities such physical aids and assisted living devices which can restore near normal functioning of their body. Official website for RVY scheme is https://alimco.in/ and applicants can also check camp details and eligibility on the Senior Citizens Portal of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment at https://scw.dosje.gov.in/rashtriya-vayoshri-yojana
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana Application Form PDF
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana application form is available in the revised guidelines PDF and can be downloaded easily. Revised guidelines of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, which include the updated income based eligibility, can be checked at https://alimco.in/WriteReadData/UserFiles/file/Revised-RVYScheme2020-21NVAT.pdf
Interested senior citizens can visit any nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) for free registration under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. Apart from camp mode, a walk-in mode has also been added, so senior citizens who cannot wait for a camp in their district can approach the implementing agency directly for assessment.
Eligibility Criteria for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Senior citizens belonging to BPL category, or those with monthly income not more than ₹15,000, and suffering from any age related disability or infirmity such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth or locomotor disability can get assisted living devices which restore near normal functioning, overcoming the disability shown. Scheme is expected to benefit senior citizens across the country, and at least 30% of beneficiaries in each district are supposed to be women.
Documents Required for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Applicants need to keep a few documents ready before visiting a camp or approaching ALIMCO in walk-in mode. Aadhaar card and income certificate are mandatory, while the rest help in verifying identity and address.
- Aadhaar card, which is mandatory and used as the main identity proof for registration.
- Ration card, used to support proof of residence and family details.
- PAN card, if available, for additional identity verification.
- Driving licence, which can be used as an alternate identity document.
- Income certificate, which is mandatory and confirms that monthly income is within ₹15,000, or a BPL card if the applicant belongs to that category.
Devices Supported under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
- Walking sticks
- Elbow crutches
- Walkers/Crutches
- Tripods/Quadpods
- Hearing Aids
- Wheelchair
- Artificial Dentures
- Spectacles
All these assisted living devices are given free of cost to beneficiary senior citizens. Devices distributed under the scheme are of good quality and match the standards set by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).
Salient Features of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
- Free of cost distribution of devices, matching the extent of disability or infirmity found in eligible senior citizens.
- In case of multiple disabilities or infirmities in the same person, assistive devices are given for each disability or impairment.
- Beneficiaries in each district are identified by State Governments or UT Administrations through a committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner or District Collector.
- As far as possible, 30% of beneficiaries in each district are women.
- State Government, UT Administration or District Level Committee can also use data of BPL beneficiaries getting Old Age Pension under NSAP or any other state scheme to identify senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
- ALIMCO undertakes one year free maintenance of the aids and assisted living devices given.
- Devices are distributed mainly in camp mode, and now also through walk-in mode for those who cannot attend a camp.
Implementation of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Scheme is implemented through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, as the sole implementing agency. Devices are mainly distributed in camp mode: beneficiaries are identified through assessment camps organised with the respective State Government or District Administration, and devices are given out in distribution camps held in selected districts. Walk-in mode is also available now at ALIMCO for those who cannot wait for a camp. For senior citizens aged 80 years or more, devices are provided at their doorstep.
Districts Covered and Latest Numbers under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Scheme covers 325 districts selected for implementation. As per the Senior Citizens Portal of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, more than 297 camps have been organised so far, distributing over 35,42,042 devices and benefiting over 6,76,422 senior citizens as on 18 February 2026. This is a big jump from the 77 distribution camps and around 70,939 beneficiaries recorded back in January 2019, showing the scheme has widened its reach significantly over the years.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
| Launched On | 1 April 2017 |
| Implementing Agency | Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO) |
| Umbrella Scheme | Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) |
| Eligibility | Senior citizens (60+) from BPL families, or with monthly income up to ₹15,000 |
| Benefit | Free assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking sticks, spectacles and dentures |
| Application Mode | Camp mode and walk-in mode |
| Elder Helpline | 14567 |
| Official Website | alimco.in and scw.dosje.gov.in |
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana Impact
Main impact of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana falls on the lives of older people from economically weaker sections. Such senior citizens can live an active life and take part in creating an age friendly society. RVY scheme gives them life assisting devices so that they can maintain near normalcy despite issues like low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disability.
Central government distributes free assistive devices to beneficiaries in each camp, and camps continue to be organised across districts through the year, now supported by the walk-in facility as well.
As per SECC-2011 data, there were about 10.38 crore senior citizens in the country, out of which 5.2% (about 54 lakh) suffered from some kind of old age related disability. Senior citizen population in India was projected to reach around 17.3 crore by 2026, which is one reason schemes like Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana remain important for the country.
Elder Helpline for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Senior citizens or their family members can call Elder Helpline number 14567 for information related to camps, applications and other senior citizen welfare schemes run by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, including Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana.
FAQ's
Who can apply for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana?
Senior citizens aged 60 years or above who belong to BPL category, or whose monthly income is not more than ₹15,000, and who suffer from an age related disability like low vision, hearing loss, missing teeth or locomotor disability can apply.
Is there any application fee for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana?
No. Registration at Common Service Centres, camp assessment and the assistive devices are all given free of cost.
Is Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana still running in 2026?
Yes. Scheme continues as part of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, and government data on the Senior Citizens Portal shows camps and device distribution are still ongoing.
Which documents are required for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana?
Aadhaar card and income certificate are mandatory. Ration card, PAN card or driving licence can be submitted as supporting identity or address proof.
What if there is no camp near my district right now?
Along with camp mode, ALIMCO also offers walk-in mode, so eligible senior citizens can approach ALIMCO directly for assessment instead of waiting for a camp.
References
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO) - https://www.alimco.in/
Senior Citizens Portal, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment - https://scw.dosje.gov.in/rashtriya-vayoshri-yojana
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment - https://socialjustice.nic.in/
Job description
Sir,
Thankful to you for your great help for old age persons through this scheme all. I also congratulate to you for your great thinking for all. In this scheme i remember your slogan "SABAKA SATHA AND SABAKA BIKASH.
I am jaheed Ali from Delhi, pradhan mantri yojana vary nice palaning sistam, full interested me thanks for you,
Really nice idea ji
do you have any information on saving scheme for Senior Citizen//8%//10 Years//7.5 Lacs..
where/whom to approach for the same
Make some policies for those are educated but unemployed due to their above 40 age or their health conditions. Please help them too for their living needs.