SC tells States to furnish updated information on old-age homes, facilities for senior citizens

The Supreme Court on Monday (September 7, 2026) directed all States and Union Territories to file fresh status reports detailing the number of old-age homes and the facilities available to senior citizens across the country.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant asked Attorney General R. Venkataramani to communicate the direction to the Advocates General and standing counsel of all States and Union Territories, requiring them to furnish the latest information within four weeks.

“Let a communication be sent from Attorney General R. Venkataramani to the Advocates General of all the States to submit a latest status report with respect to the establishment of old-age homes and the requisite facilities being provided therein,” the Bench said, directing that the reports be filed within four weeks of receipt of the communication.

The Bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed in 2016 by former Union Minister and senior advocate Ashwini Kumar concerning the welfare of senior citizens, particularly those living in poverty and without adequate shelter, food or medical care. The petition has sought the establishment of an adequate number of old-age homes to enable elderly persons to live with dignity.

During the hearing, Mr. Kumar, appearing in person, submitted that the Union government had earlier been asked to place on record details on the number of old-age homes in the country, the pension provided to senior citizens, and the medical care available to them, but complete information was still awaited. He also pointed out that the matter had not been listed since 2022 despite repeated requests for an early hearing.

“With great anguish, I want to point out that something needs to be done to prioritise these matters. It concerns crores of people... Even today, the Union has not filed a complete affidavit. So much time has elapsed,” he said.

The counsel appearing for the Centre, however, suggested that the proceedings could instead be transferred to the respective High Courts for monitoring.

Mr. Kumar opposed the suggestion, contending that the Supreme Court should continue to oversee the proceedings. “This court has to enforce its own order. This is a strange submission. This requires an all-India decision. It cannot be left to the High Courts,” he submitted.

The Chief Justice said that while the Supreme Court could lay down broad guidelines, their implementation would ultimately have to be monitored by the High Courts. Before deciding how the proceedings should be monitored, however, the Bench said it would obtain updated information from all States and Union Territories on the old-age homes and facilities currently available to senior citizens.

Accordingly, the Bench asked the Attorney General to communicate with the State governments to have the requisite information collated and placed before the court.

In an earlier order passed on April 8, 2016, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Centre and sought the assistance of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and HelpAge India in identifying measures to protect the rights and welfare of elderly persons. It had also sought suggestions on how NALSA and State Legal Services Authorities could assist senior citizens in securing their fundamental rights.

During the course of the proceedings, the court had also examined the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), under which financial assistance is provided to elderly persons and other eligible beneficiaries. While describing the programme as “prima facie a good scheme”, the court had pointed to “huge gaps” in its implementation that needed to be addressed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the court had directed that elderly persons be given priority in admission and treatment at both government and private hospitals, considering their greater vulnerability to the virus.