- Why in news
- On 2 October 2026 (Gandhi Jayanti), the Social Justice Ministry distributed 662 aids and assistive devices to 114 senior citizens in Delhi-NCR under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. The Ministry also said it will extend device distribution to Senior Citizens' Homes across the country.
- What it is
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) is a scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It gives physical aids and assisted-living devices to senior citizens who need them, to support mobility, independence and quality of life. ALIMCO is the implementing agency.
- Launch
- The scheme was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment on 1 April 2017.
- What it provides
- Physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens in need, to support mobility and independence.
- Implementing agency
- ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India) implements the scheme; its CMD said it plans to use AI to serve senior citizens better.
- Elderly population
- Census 2011 counted 10.38 crore senior citizens in India, about 70 per cent of them in rural areas.
Don’t confuse with RVY vs ADIP scheme: RVY gives aids to senior citizens (the elderly). The ADIP scheme gives aids to persons with disabilities. Both are run by the social justice ministry and ALIMCO is an implementing agency for both.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Assistive devices help elderly people stay mobile and self-reliant, which reduces dependence on caregivers.
- Reaching Senior Citizens' Homes and rural areas (about 70 per cent of the elderly) supports inclusion.
Problems
- Most elderly people live in rural areas, so reach and waiting time remain issues.
- Loneliness and social isolation are not solved by devices alone.
Way forward
- Expand PM-Divya Asha Kendras from 109 to 300 to cut waiting time.
- Involve NGOs, corporates and youth, and promote inter-generational bonding.
Put in your answer
Census 2011 elderly data: India had 10.38 crore senior citizens, about 70 per cent in rural areas.
PM-Divya Asha Kendras: The Ministry plans to raise the centres from 109 to 300 so that devices and related services are easier to access.
- 2018Mains GS4 · Q7Officer identifying beneficiaries for a healthcare scheme for senior citizens, ethical dilemma
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- 2020Mains GS2 · Q6Discuss health care policies needed for geriatric and maternal health
- 2004Prelims Q9Which statement about MoSJE scheme for indigent elderly is incorrect
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting scheme with ALIMCO as implementer, but today's item is a distribution event; a question is unlikely from it.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.