The state is witnessing a rapid demographic shift with a growing elderly population, posing significant socio-economic challenges.
Published Feb 15, 2025 | 6:18 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 15, 2025 | 6:39 PM
Synopsis: Kerala is set to establish India’s first Elderly Commission to address the challenges of its rapidly ageing population, ensuring senior citizens’ rights, welfare, and social integration. Experts believe this initiative could serve as a model for other states, as Kerala’s elderly population is projected to reach 8.4 million by 2036, posing significant socio-economic challenges.
In a landmark move, the Kerala Assembly on Thursday, 13 February, took the first step in the formation of India’s first statutory body to protect senior citizens’ rights, ensure their welfare and utilise their expertise for social benefit.
The Assembly referred the Kerala State Elderly Commission Bill, 2025, to a subject committee for consideration. Once established, the commission will be crucial for a state with a rapidly ageing population.
Whilst the National Policy on Senior Citizens, 2011, had recommended the creation of similar commissions at both the national and state levels, Kerala is poised to be the first to translate the vision into reality.
Experts believe this move could serve as a model for the rest of the country in tackling the challenges of an ageing population.
The commission, mandated to safeguard the rights of senior citizens and ensure their rehabilitation, legal aid, and social integration, will be headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram.
The commission will function as an independent body with significant authority, including the powers of a civil court, and can investigate grievances and enforce protective measures.
To be led by a full-time Chairperson, who will hold the rank of Secretary to the Government, the tenure of the Chairperson and members will be three years, with an extension of up to six months if a successor is not appointed in time.
The government will also appoint a Secretary, Registrar, and Finance Officer, all holding senior administrative ranks, to ensure smooth operations.
It has been mandated that the chairperson and members must be elderly individuals with experience in the field of senior citizen welfare.
Additionally, the commission must include at least one member from Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and one woman member, ensuring diverse representation.
The commission is expected to play a pivotal role in framing guidelines for elderly welfare and protection, coordinating government departments, and advising on policy measures.
Conducting investigations and inquiries into violations of elderly rights and recommending remedial measures
Ensuring the rehabilitation of abandoned or orphaned elderly by coordinating with care centres
Advising the government on new welfare programmes for senior citizens
Addressing complaints related to elderly abuse, denial of rights, or violence; conducting preliminary inquiries; and recommending necessary legal or administrative action
Providing legal aid through authorised agencies in cases where elderly citizens face rights violations
Investigating complaints from prisons, lock-ups, and custodial facilities involving elderly detainees and submitting reports to the concerned authorities
Preparing a status report on elderly citizens and monitoring their well-being across the state
To ensure effective intervention, the commission will have all the powers of a civil court, allowing it to summon witnesses, demand documents, and conduct inquiries as necessary. This empowers the body to act decisively against violations and protect the interests of senior citizens in Kerala.
Dr PKB Nayar, founder of the Centre for Gerontological Studies, has hailed Kerala’s decision to establish a commission for the elderly as nothing short of groundbreaking.
The state is witnessing a rapid demographic shift with a growing elderly population, posing significant socio-economic challenges.
The state’s proportion of people aged 60 and above, which stood at 12.6 percent in 2011, is projected to rise to 22.8 percent by 2036.
This increase in ageing citizens brings concerns about healthcare, social security, and economic sustainability, necessitating proactive policy measures.
According to the Elderly in India Report 2021 and the India Ageing Report 2023, Kerala’s elderly population is growing at an annual rate of 4 percent – higher than the national average of 3.3 percent.
The total number of senior citizens in the state is expected to reach 8.4 million by 2036, further increasing the old-age dependency ratio (OADR).
This ratio, which was 19.6 percent in 2011, is expected to rise to 34.3 percent in 2031, indicating a growing burden on the working-age population.
The declining proportion of the 0-14 age group means that fewer young people will enter the workforce, leading to a shrinking working-age population.
This shift will impact economic productivity and strain social security systems, making elderly welfare a pressing policy concern.
“Kerala is ageing at a much faster rate than the rest of India. With a high dependency ratio – the proportion of dependents to the working-age population – a dedicated commission for the elderly is not just important but essential,” Nayar emphasised to South First.
Highlighting the physical, psychological, and social challenges faced by the elderly, he stressed that the commission must actively seek solutions to improve their quality of life.
However, Nayar also issued a cautionary note: “The appointment of commission members must be free from personal and political biases. Only experts and individuals truly passionate about elder care should be entrusted with this responsibility. Only then can we create meaningful change.”
He further opined that, once operational, Kerala’s elderly commission could be the first of its kind in the country, setting a precedent for other states to follow.
Recognising the challenges of an ageing society, the state government says that it has implemented several welfare initiatives that have gained international recognition.
The state has adopted a comprehensive approach to elderly care by integrating health, nutrition, education, and employment programmes.
Despite the state’s progress, officials acknowledge that the elderly population is not a homogeneous group.
The specific needs of various categories – including octogenarians, widows, unmarried or childless women, individuals with disabilities, and those without immediate family – require tailored policy interventions.
This was highlighted in the Economic Review 2024 report as well.
“A major challenge is ensuring economic inclusion, social support, and sustainable healthcare. Experts stress the importance of innovation in elderly care, such as assistive technology, community-based support systems, and accessible public infrastructure,” said an official of the Social Justice Department.
With elders expected to constitute nearly a quarter of Kerala’s population by 2036, the state must strengthen its policy framework to transform ageing into an opportunity rather than a crisis.
The challenge before the commission will be to ensure that Kerala’s elderly population receives the dignity, care, and security they deserve.
Presenting the bill, Social Justice Minister R Bindu stated that the commission aims to guide the government on matters related to the welfare and protection of the elderly.
It will focus on rehabilitation, legal aid, and utilising the skills of senior citizens for public benefit. Additionally, the commission will monitor and recommend measures for implementing laws related to elderly care, coordinate government departments for better service delivery, and address emerging concerns of the ageing population.
Once enacted, the commission is expected to incur an annual recurring expenditure of approximately ₹1 crore for allowances, salaries, and operational costs, along with a one-time setup cost of ₹9 lakh from the Consolidated Fund of the State of Kerala.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
