While declining fertility and mortality rates have reshaped Kerala’s age structure, the surge in elderly citizens has presented some formidable challenges.
Published Sep 09, 2025 | 4:12 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 09, 2025 | 4:12 PM
The Kerala State Elderly Commission taking charge on 3 September 2025.
Synopsis: Kerala is now at the heart of a demographic transition with a rapidly ageing population. Concerns remain on whether the state is truly prepared to offer dignity, care, and support to its ageing population. The Kerala State Commission for the Elderly marks a pioneering step in addressing the growing concerns of senior citizens.
In Kerala, where silver strands are fast outnumbering black, the twilight years of life are no longer a distant stage but a growing reality for thousands. The state, once celebrated for its high life expectancy and quality healthcare, is now at the heart of a demographic transition with a rapidly ageing population.
While declining fertility and mortality rates have reshaped Kerala’s age structure, the surge in elderly citizens has presented some formidable challenges.
Despite two major milestones — the establishment of an elderly commission and the release of a draft policy for elderly persons — concerns remain on whether the state is truly prepared to offer dignity, care, and support to its ageing population.
On 3 September, the state created history by becoming the first in the country to constitute a statutory body exclusively for the welfare of the elderly.
The Kerala State Commission for the Elderly, formed under the Kerala State Commission for the Elderly Act, marks a pioneering step in addressing the growing concerns of senior citizens.
“This is not just an institution, but a promise of dignity, protection, and care for our elders,” said Social Justice Minister R Bindu, while congratulating the Commission members at the inauguration held at the Secretariat Durbar Hall, Thiruvananthapuram.
The Commission, chaired by K Somaprasad with Amaravila Ramakrishnan, EM Radha, KNK Namboothiri, and Prof Lopez Mathew as members, has been entrusted with wide-ranging responsibilities — from safeguarding rights and preventing neglect, exploitation, and violence to ensuring rehabilitation and integrating the skills of senior citizens for the benefit of society.
Empowered with the powers of a civil court, the body can conduct inquiries, investigate complaints, recommend remedial measures and coordinate care for abandoned or orphaned elderly.
With dedicated officials from government departments serving as secretary, registrar, and finance officer, the commission represents a comprehensive, rights-based approach to elderly care.
A major initiative, it resolves to create an age-friendly society where the elderly are respected, protected, and empowered.
The cover page of the policy document
Seeking to update its 2013 framework with a rights-based, pro-poor approach, the state released the draft of its State Policy for Elder Persons 2025 after 12 long years.
The new draft reflects the state’s evolving demographic reality — an ageing population, changing family structures, and the rising demand for healthcare — while committing to dedicate five percent of the state budget for elderly care.
Officials say the policy goes beyond welfare, framing ageing as a period of growth, fulfilment, and continued contribution to society rather than decline.
The policy prioritises economically and socially vulnerable senior citizens.
It places strong emphasis on healthy ageing, promoting physical, mental, and social well-being through:
The draft also highlights lifelong learning opportunities, encouraging seniors to acquire new skills, pursue aspirations, and remain actively engaged in society.
Kerala’s new approach stresses intergenerational collaboration and urges younger and older generations to share responsibilities and challenge stereotypes around ageing.
Elder-inclusive public spaces and parks will be created to foster interaction.
Local Governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers will be integrated into person-centred care networks, enabling “ageing in place” and easing the burden on unpaid caregivers.
The state also plans to establish short-stay care centres and respite homes at the block level, giving caregivers temporary relief while ensuring quality care for dependent seniors.
A key pillar of the draft is strict protection against elder abuse.
The government will:
The Kerala Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2009, will be revised to reflect contemporary challenges faced by older persons.
The draft proposes mandatory minimum standards for all caregiving facilities, both government and private, covering hygiene, safety, and inclusivity. Facilities will be required to admit seniors with significant medical needs or disabilities, ensuring equitable access.
Urban planning will also integrate elder-friendly designs, prioritising accessibility and inclusivity in housing, transport, and public infrastructure.
To support policy with science, the government will launch a Kerala Research Programme on Ageing under the Social Justice Department. Research will cover ageing-related health, mobility, and social inclusion.
A Centre of Excellence in Gerontology will also be set up to lead multidisciplinary research, design innovative elder-care solutions, and coordinate training for stakeholders.
Every five years, the state will publish a “State of Elderly Report”, mapping demographic shifts, emerging challenges, and service delivery gaps.
In a first-of-its-kind move, Kerala promises to earmark five percent of the state budget for elderly care, to be managed by the Social Justice Department. Alongside the State Budget, an annual Elder Budget will detail allocations and expenditures for elder welfare programs.
To ensure effective ground-level implementation, a professional cadre of elder-care experts will be deployed at the Local Government level, bringing qualified social workers into the system.
Framing ageing as a continuum of growth and contribution, the draft underlines Kerala’s commitment to an inclusive and compassionate model. It aims to empower individuals with financial literacy, social engagement, and skill development across their lifespan, preparing them for dignified, independent later years.
“Kerala is ageing faster than the rest of India, and the policy reflects the urgency of creating sustainable systems that protect, engage, and empower our elderly population,” a senior official in the Social Justice Department said.
The official said that the draft will only be finalised after considering the opinions and suggestions of the public.
The cover page of the Assembly Committee Report
A recent report of the Committee on Welfare of Senior Citizens of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, chaired by KP Kunjhammad Kutty Master, flagged a criticism the state can hardly avoid: Kerala is ageing faster than the rest of India, but its elderly policy is struggling to keep pace.
The committee pointed out that the proportion of the elderly in Kerala is rising steeply due to higher life expectancy, making their welfare a pressing social responsibility.
Yet, the state’s Senior Citizens Policy, introduced in 2006 and revised in 2013 in line with global standards, has largely remained on paper.
“The policy has become so condensed that it fails to accommodate the changes of time,” Kutty Master observed, noting that successive guidelines were never implemented meaningfully.
The report also revealed the lack of seriousness at the official level.
In a December 2024 evidence-gathering meeting on the issue, only an Assistant Director attended—without the Secretary, Department Director, or other key officials.
Later, in January 2025, the excuse offered was the “non-availability of funds” to implement the action plans.
The committee concluded that the Planning Board is not taking a positive approach to the matter.
While nations across the globe are adapting to demographic shifts by formulating progressive ageing policies, the committee noted, Kerala — despite being at par with developed countries on the Global Health Index — remains slow in action.
Recommending urgent steps, the panel asked the government to:
The committee stressed that the state’s ageing policy must do more than exist as a policy document — it should empower senior citizens, ensure their dignity, and integrate them meaningfully into society.
Only then can Kerala claim to provide its elderly with the love, respect, and supportive environment they deserve.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
