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Dedicated Ministry for senior citizens UPSC NOTE

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  Why in news The Supreme Court of India on Friday allowed a petitioner seeking the creation of a dedicated Ministry for senior citizens in...

 Why in news

  • The Supreme Court of India on Friday allowed a petitioner seeking the creation of a dedicated Ministry for senior citizens in the country to make a representation before the government.

What is the Status of Senior Citizens in India?  

  • India's elderly population (60+) is projected to grow from 10.5% in 2022 to 20.8% by 2050 and exceed 36% by 2100. 

  • By 2046, India's elderly population will outnumber children (0–14), and the working-age population (15–59) will decline by 2050. 

  • Between 2010 and 2020, India’s elderly population doubled at a rate of 15 years while South and East Asia took 16 years to double their elderly population. 

  • The decadal growth rate of the elderly population increased from 31% (1981–1991) to 41% (2021–2031), indicating accelerated aging. 

  • Ageing Index: States in southern India with a higher elderly share have a higher ageing index, reflecting declining fertility and more older persons than children. 

  • The ageing index that measures the number of elderly persons (60+ years) per 100 children (below 15 years) was 39 in India in 2021

  • Old-Age Dependency Ratio: In 2021, India had 16 elderly per 100 working-age persons, with southern India at 20, western India at 17, and Union Territories and northeastern India at around 13. 

  • The old-age dependency ratio represents the number of elderly persons (60+ years) per 100 working-age persons (15–59 years). 

  • Life Expectancy at 60 Years: In India, the average life expectancy at 60 years is 18.3 years, with females living longer than males (19 years for females, 17.5 years for males).  

  • Southern states and northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab had a higher elderly population than the national average in 2021 (10.5%). 

  • States with higher fertility rates, like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, will see an increase in the elderly population by 2036. 

  • By 2050, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries will have an elderly population average of 19.8%. 

Challenges with the Aging Population

  • Women live longer than men, leading to more elderly women, especially widows, who live alone and rely on family support, making them more vulnerable. 

  • According to the Census of India 2011, around 71% of the elderly population lives in rural areas.  

  • Limited access to healthcare, income insecurity, and social isolation are exacerbated by the remoteness of rural areas. 

  • The aging of the aged means a growing share of the elderly will be 75+, placing additional pressure on healthcare, caregiving, and social welfare systems. 

    • An underdeveloped silver economy further exacerbates the mismatch between the demand and supply of services. 

      • The silver economy involves market opportunities for the aging population (60+), focusing on goods, services, and innovations to enhance their quality of life, health, and financial well-being. 

  • Economic Dependency: Only 11% of elderly men receive work pensions, while 16.3% get social pensions. For elderly women, 27.4% receive only social pensions, and just 1.7% get work pensions. 

  • Around one-fifth of the elderly have no income, resulting in financial insecurity. 

  • Lack of Geriatric Care Facilities: 30% of elderly women and 28% of elderly men suffer from at least one chronic morbid condition, such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis etc impairing their ability to perform daily activities . 

  • Senior citizens face a range of employability challenges like age discrimination (presumed less tech-savvy, or energetic), outdated skills, rigid work hours, lower wages etc. 

  • Social and Family Abuse: Seniors may face verbal abuse, isolation, and physical harm from family members or caregivers, often going unreported due to fear or limited mobility. 

Way Forward 

  • Establish self-help groups for the elderly to promote community engagement, resource sharing, and socio-economic well-being. 

  • E.g., Vietnam is promoting healthy aging through the country's National Action Programme for the Elderly. 

  • Policies promoting multigenerational households (grandparents, parents, and children living together) for the elderly should be prioritized to offer emotional support, family connection, and autonomy. 

    • Promote in-home aging by supporting elderly individuals with short-term care facilities, like daycare centers, providing meals, health monitoring, and companionship. 

  • Offer training programs for elderly workers to develop skills like digital literacy and technology proficiency, enabling them to engage in the digital economy, e-commerce, and online healthcare. 

  • Provide quality, affordable healthcare for the elderly by increasing geriatric care, and creating elder-friendly facilities.  

    • Expand telemedicine for remote consultations. 

  • Ensure the expansion and universal coverage of pension schemes to include all elderly individuals. E.g., PM-JAY now covers all senior citizens aged 70 or above. 

  • There is a need to include care work in economic activities, create a separate workforce category for the elderly (to harness Silver Dividend), and escalate these efforts. 

  • Adopt Japanese models like providing robots for companionship, assistive devices for mobility, and smart healthcare devices to help elderly people maintain independence. 

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Learnerz IAS | Concept oriented UPSC Classes in Malayalam: Dedicated Ministry for senior citizens UPSC NOTE
Dedicated Ministry for senior citizens UPSC NOTE
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Learnerz IAS | Concept oriented UPSC Classes in Malayalam
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