Ageing Populations in India: Towards Integrated and Equitable Geriatric Care - ACHSM Asia-Pacific Health Leadership Congress in Darwin, 2025

Abstract

The ageing population represents a transformative demographic shift in India. It is posing both challenges and opportunities for public policy. The growing elderly population, now exceeding 100 million, is projected to reach around 20% of the total by 2050. There is an emerging need for a holistic approach. Despite policy frameworks such as the National Policy on Older Persons (1999) and the National Policy for Senior Citizens (2011), India’s approach to geriatric concerns remains fragmented and under-resourced. The Structural deficiencies, weak inter-sectoral coordination, and limited financial resources have constrained effective implementation. This paper critically examines the evolution and scope of India’s social security policies. It analyzes policy planning and identifies systemic healthcare delivery and social protection gaps based on national data and comparative evidence. The paper concludes that achieving equitable geriatric care in India requires multisectoral collaboration, enhanced community-based service models, and sustained investment in preventive and long-term care infrastructure.