Avyay - National Action Plan for Senior Citizens: Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens is running across the country, and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has expanded its coverage to 435 districts in 2026. The ministry released ₹24.06 crore as grant-in-aid for 202 projects under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) for the quarter ending 30 June 2026.
This central government scheme gives financial grants to organizations that run old age homes and continuous care centers, so that poor senior citizens get clean shelter, nutritious food, medical care and recreation facilities. It works under the umbrella scheme called Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (Avyay), which was launched after revamping the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.
Avyay - National Action Plan for Senior Citizens: Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens - Introduction
Avyay - National Action Plan for Senior Citizens: Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens helps the elderly community, especially those who do not have enough means to support themselves. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India runs this scheme with the main aim of improving the quality of life of senior citizens by providing basic needs like food, medical care and shelter.
Support is given through two main sub-schemes: the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC). The government gives financial grants to maintain facilities like Senior Citizen Homes (Old Age Homes), Continuous Care Homes, Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs) and physiotherapy clinics. In 2026, the government also brought 30 additional gap districts under the scheme, taking the total coverage of Senior Citizen Homes to 435 districts across the country.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Avyay - National Action Plan for Senior Citizens: Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens |
| Launched By | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
| Level | Central |
| Beneficiary Type | Individual |
| States Covered | All (Senior Citizen Homes in 435 districts) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Benefit Type | Cash Grant-in-Aid |
| Direct Benefit Transfer | No |
| Helpline | Elderline 14567 (toll-free, 8 AM to 8 PM, all 7 days) |
| Official Website | E-anudaan portal |
Benefits
The scheme provides money help to eligible organizations through a grant-in-aid structure. This funding makes sure that senior citizens receive quality care. The government released ₹24.06 crore for 202 projects in the June 2026 quarter, which shows that funds keep coming on a regular basis.
| Facility Type | Category | Approximate Regular Grant (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizen Home (25 occupants) | X City | ₹25,04,355 |
| Senior Citizen Home (25 occupants) | Z City | ₹24,38,355 |
| Senior Citizen Home (50 occupants) | X City | ₹42,11,228 |
| Senior Citizen Home (50 occupants) | Z City | ₹41,12,228 |
| Continuous Care Home (20 occupants) | X City | ₹30,77,310 |
| Continuous Care Home (20 occupants) | Z City | ₹30,11,310 |
Additional Support:
- Non-Recurring Grants: Facilities can get grants every five years for infrastructure, such as ₹3,09,105 for 25-indigent homes or ₹4,12,140 for 50-indigent homes, covering costs like CCTV installation.
- Funeral Expenses: In case an inmate passes away, the scheme pays back up to ₹10,000 for funeral costs.
- State Projects: The government covers 90% of the project costs for programs under State Action Plans.
Payment Notes: The government releases funds in two equal half-yearly installments through the E-anudaan portal. Regular grants are now released based on the attendance of residents recorded on the E-anudaan portal using the cloud-based contactless attendance system. Recipient agencies must use the pfms/EAT module and maintain live streaming of their facility through the website.
Eligibility
For Senior Citizens: A person needs to be a senior citizen. Eligibility is normally decided by financial status as identified by the state government (indigent status, which means the person does not have enough means to maintain himself or herself). For continuous care homes, the person must need nursing support due to severe illness, dementia or Alzheimer's disease. For example, if 'Ramesh Ji' needs constant nursing for a long-term illness, he could be eligible for a continuous care facility.
For Organizations: Government bodies, Panchayati Raj institutions and recognized non-profit organizations can apply. If an NGO is applying, it should be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for at least two years and have a proven track record in the social sector. The bank account must be a joint account operated in the name of the organization.
Priority: The government gives first preference to self-help groups managed by senior citizens, followed by CSR foundations and start-ups focused on elderly care. Agencies that already run charitable hospitals, nursing homes or medical institutions get preference for Continuous Care Homes.
Exclusions
Some projects do not get new grants under this scheme. The government does not fund new Mobile Medicare Units under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), and grants for Mobile Medicare Units are now given by the State Governments. Also, grants are not provided for setting up new physiotherapy clinics; physiotherapy support is limited to Government District Hospitals. Existing and renewal projects of Mobile Medicare Units and physiotherapy clinics continue to be supported under IPSrC.
Application Process
Organizations that want to run a Senior Citizen Home or Continuous Care Home need to apply through the official process. New projects are started mainly in gap districts where no senior citizen home exists, or in districts where the existing homes are not enough. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - State and Union Territory governments carry out a district-wise survey of existing Senior Citizen Homes and upload the list of gap districts and districts with insufficient capacity on the E-anudaan portal by 15 April every year.
STEP 2 - After the survey, the central government publishes a notification by 30 April for the districts where applications are invited. Eligible agencies can submit their proposals online through the Online NGO Portal on E-anudaan. The application window normally stays open till 30 May.
STEP 3 - A selection committee at the state or UT level, headed by the Secretary or Principal Secretary in charge of senior citizen welfare, checks the applications. The committee inspects the projects being run by the applicants and shortlists the agencies in the first week of June. The details of chosen agencies are uploaded on the portal before 15 June.
STEP 4 - The proposals are then screened by the Screening Committee of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and final approval is given by the Secretary. After approval, the grant-in-aid is released in two half-yearly installments. For renewals of existing grants, agencies must submit their application with the latest Utilization Certificate (UC) by 30 April each year.
Documents
Organizations need to keep the following documents ready while applying:
Organizational Documents: Copy of the registration certificate (Societies Registration Act), Memorandum of Association, copy of the managing committee list, and the organization's PAN card. Proof of legal status and the bond execution document as per government rules are also required.
Financial Records: The last two years of annual reports, audited statements (income-expenditure, balance sheet), and a Utilization Certificate (UC) for previous grants. Budget estimates for the proposed year are also needed.
Project Specifics: Staff list with qualifications, beneficiary list, notarized rent or lease agreement (if applicable), and a satisfactory certificate from the people staying in the home for renewal applications.
References
Official Scheme Guidelines - Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)
Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) - Official Page
Elderline - National Helpline for Senior Citizens (14567)
FAQ's
Is AVYAY still running in 2026?
Yes, the scheme is running. The ministry released ₹24.06 crore for 202 projects under IPSrC in the June 2026 quarter, and the coverage of Senior Citizen Homes has been expanded to 435 districts. The Union Budget 2026-27 has kept ₹355 crore from the Senior Citizen Welfare Fund for the AVYAY (IPSrC and SAPSrC) components.
What is the minimum age and social sector experience required for an NGO to apply?
An organization must be registered for at least two years and provide documentation proving a two-year track record in the social sector.
Are there specific health conditions that qualify a person for a Continuous Care Home?
Yes, senior citizens suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, or those who are seriously ill and require consistent nursing care are eligible for admission.
Can a private institution apply for support?
Any public body or institution with its own legal status, such as charitable companies licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, can submit a proposal.
Who receives priority in the selection of agencies for these grants?
Priority is given to self-help groups established by senior citizens, followed by CSR foundations and start-ups active in elderly care services.
Is a regular bank account sufficient for an NGO?
No, the organization must maintain a joint bank account in the name of the organization to receive the grant-in-aid.
How can senior citizens get help under this scheme?
Senior citizens and their families can call the Elderline national helpline 14567, which is toll-free and runs from 8 AM to 8 PM on all seven days. The helpline gives free information, guidance and emotional support, and helps in finding the nearest Senior Citizen Home or continuous care facility. Related help is also available under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, which gives free assistive devices to senior citizens.