Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, Kerala passed the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill, 2025. With this, Kerala became the first state in India to set up a Senior Citizens Commission. This commission will play an important role in protecting the rights of elderly people in the state.

Introduction of Senior Citizens Commission

• What is the Senior Citizens Commission?
  • The Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission, established under the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Act, 2025, is created to protect the rights and welfare of elderly citizens in the state.
  • It will function as a statutory body (a body established by law) that will provide policy advice and help resolve issues faced by senior citizens. 
  • The commission will work as an independent body with powers similar to a civil court.
  • It will also handle complaints related to detainees in prisons, lock-ups, and custody centers and submit reports to the concerned authorities.
  • After its establishment, it is expected to spend Rs 1 crore annually on salaries, allowances, and operational costs.
  • Additionally, a one-time setup cost of Rs 9 lakh will be allocated from the Consolidated Fund of the State of Kerala.
• Objectives
  • Rehabilitation and Protection: The primary aim of the commission is to protect elderly citizens from neglect, abuse, and exploitation. It will set up and manage rehabilitation centers for elderly people who are abandoned or have no support, providing them with a safe place to live.
  • Empowerment: The commission aims to ensure that elderly people are not just receivers of help but also contributors to society. It will encourage senior citizens to participate in social and cultural programs, helping them stay connected with society.
  • Healthcare: Healthcare will be a priority for the commission. It will conduct regular medical check-ups to detect age-related illnesses early. Counseling sessions and community programs will be organized to help elderly people interact with each other.
  • Moral Responsibility: The commission also aims to promote respect and empathy for elderly citizens in society. It wants to create an environment where elderly people are valued and respected, not seen as a burden.

Key Features of Senior Citizens Commission

• Policy Advisory: The commission will advise the state government on effective policies to improve the welfare of senior citizens. This will help in addressing their specific needs.
• Grievance Redressal: The commission will resolve issues like neglect, abuse, exploitation, and loneliness among senior citizens. A dedicated system will be set up to handle complaints efficiently.
• Utilization of Skills: The commission will organize programs where elderly people can use their experience and skills for the benefit of society.
• Promoting Financial Independence: The commission will ensure timely pensions, social security benefits, and financial advice to help senior citizens manage their expenses independently.
• Awareness Campaigns: Various educational and awareness campaigns will be organized to inform society about the rights of elderly citizens. These campaigns will also highlight the responsibilities of families and communities towards the elderly.
• Regular Reporting: The commission will submit regular reports to the state government on the condition of senior citizens and suggest necessary improvements. These reports will help in making better policies.

Structure and Tenure of Senior Citizens Commission

• Structure: The commission will have one Chairperson and three members.
• Chairperson:
  • The Chairperson will have the status of a Government Secretary, giving them a high administrative rank.
  • The Chairperson will monitor the commission’s activities and ensure its objectives are achieved effectively.
• Members:
  • At least one member will belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) to ensure representation of disadvantaged groups.
  • There must be one female member to bring a woman’s perspective to the commission.
  • Subject experts can be invited as special members during discussions. However, they will not have voting rights and will act only in an advisory role.
  • The members will ensure that the needs of senior citizens are understood from social, cultural, and gender perspectives.
• Tenure:
  • The Chairperson and members will have a tenure of three years from the date of their appointment.
  • They can be reappointed if the state government considers it appropriate.

Why is the Commission Needed?

• Population Imbalance:
  • Kerala’s population has an increasing proportion of elderly people.
  • In 1961, only 5.1% of Kerala’s population was over 60 years, which was lower than the national average of 5.6%.
  • In the 1980s, Kerala surpassed the national average.
  • In 2001, the elderly population in Kerala rose to 10.5%, compared to the national average of 7.5%.
  • In 2011, it reached 12.6%, while the national average was 8.6%.
  • By 2015, the percentage increased to 13.1%, while the national average remained at 8.3%.
  • By 2036, the elderly population in Kerala is expected to reach 8.4 million, which may worsen social and economic imbalances.
• Rapid Growth of Elderly Population:
  • Currently, more than 4.8 million people in Kerala are over the age of 60.
    
  • The fastest-growing group is those above 80 years, who make up 15% of the elderly population.
  • The number of women above 60 is higher than men, and most of these women are widows.
• Social and Economic Challenges:
  • As the elderly population grows, issues like poverty, neglect, and abuse are also increasing.
  • Younger generations often avoid family responsibilities, leading to financial exploitation of the elderly.
  • Many elderly people are financially dependent on pensions and government welfare schemes.
• Lack of Awareness:
  • Many elderly people in Kerala are unaware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, a central government law.
  • This law makes it legally binding for children to take care of their parents and requires the government to provide facilities like nursing homes and medical care.

Demographic Data on Elderly Population in India

• In 2022, the percentage of elderly people in India was 10.5%, expected to rise to 20.8% by 2050 and over 36% by 2100.
• By 2046, the number of elderly people will be higher than the number of children aged 0-14 years.
• By 2050, the working-age population (15-59 years) is expected to decline, increasing economic dependence.
• In India, the number of elderly women is higher than elderly men, showing gender imbalance in old age.
• By 2031, there will be 1078 women for every 1000 men in the 60+ age group.
• Between 2010 and 2020, India’s elderly population doubled in 15 years, compared to 16 years in South and East Asia.
• The life expectancy at the age of 60 in India is 18.3 years.
• • For women, it is 19 years.
  • For men, it is 17.5 years.
• Since 2010, the population of children under 15 years has decreased, while the elderly population has increased.
• Between 2022 and 2050, India’s total population is expected to grow by only 18%, while the elderly population is expected to grow by 134%.
• Southern states like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab have elderly populations higher than the national average of 10.5%.
• High-fertility states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are expected to see a sharp rise in elderly populations by 2036.
• According to UNFPA’s India Ageing Report 2023, India’s elderly population was 10.1% in 2021, projected to reach 15% by 2036 and 20.8% by 2050.

Government Initiatives for Elderly Care in India

• Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: This scheme aims to provide healthcare, rehabilitation, and social security to senior citizens. It promotes facilities like old age homes, skill development centers, and mental health support for elderly people.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): This scheme provides assistive devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, spectacles, and walking sticks to poor senior citizens. The goal is to improve their independence and quality of life.
• Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Atal Pension Yojana scheme offers financial security by providing a regular pension after the age of 60 years. Atal Pension Yojana is mainly for people working in the unorganized sector, ensuring they receive a steady income in old age. In Atal Pension Yojana, the monthly pension ranges from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000, based on contributions.
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): This is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial assistance to elderly people below the poverty line (BPL). It includes three main schemes:
  • Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Provides regular financial support to elderly people.
  • National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Offers financial aid to families upon the death of the head of the household.
  • National Disability Benefit Scheme: Provides economic assistance to disabled senior citizens.
• Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): This scheme provides health insurance to senior citizens aged 70 years and above. It offers health cover up to Rs. 5 lakhs, providing financial security during hospitalization.
• Ease of Living Index: This scheme promotes elderly-friendly urban infrastructure. It focuses on accessible public spaces, special transport services, and social security services for the elderly.
• National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): This scheme provides free healthcare services to senior citizens at primary health care centers. It includes regular health check-ups, treatment of chronic diseases, and special care for elderly patients.

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