AVYAY - National Action Plan for Senior Citizens: Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens
AVYAY - Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens provides government grants to NGOs, state agencies, and institutions that run old age homes, continuous care homes, and mobile medical units for indigent senior citizens. Annual grants range from ₹24 lakh to ₹42 lakh depending on the size of the home and city category. Apply online via the E-anudaan portal before April 30 each year.
About This Scheme
AVYAY - Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens provides government grants to NGOs, state agencies, and institutions that run old age homes, continuous care homes, and mobile medical units for indigent senior citizens. Annual grants range from ₹24 lakh to ₹42 lakh depending on the size of the home and city category. Apply online via the E-anudaan portal before April 30 each year.
Full official description
The scheme "AVYAY - National Action Plan for Senior Citizens: Health and Shelter for Senior Citizens" was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. The scheme is a component of the umbrella scheme " Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)". The scheme aims to improve the quality of life of Senior Citizens, particularly those who are indigent, by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities. The scheme provides financial assistance for projects such as the maintenance of Senior Citizen Homes (popularly known as Old Age Homes), Continuous Care Homes, Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs), Mobile Medicare Units, and Physiotherapy Clinics under its two sub-schemes: the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC).
Benefits
- Annual recurring grant of ₹25 lakh–₹42 lakh for running a senior citizen home (25–50 residents), depending on city category (X/Y/Z)
- Annual recurring grant of ₹30 lakh–₹31 lakh for continuous care homes (minimum 20 residents)
- Non-recurring equipment grant of ₹3–₹4 lakh every 5 years (includes CCTV cameras and website)
- Funeral expense reimbursement of ₹10,000 per resident death
- Under the State Action Plan, 90% of project costs are funded for approved programmes
- Grants disbursed in two equal half-yearly instalments through E-anudaan/PFMS
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Open to state/UT governments, Panchayati Raj institutions, urban local bodies, and government-recognized organizations
- NGOs and voluntary organizations must be registered under the Societies Registration Act or equivalent, with at least 2 years of registration and 2 years of experience in the social sector
- Continuous care homes (for Alzheimer's/dementia patients) must have a track record in running charitable hospitals or nursing homes
- Beneficiary senior citizens must be indigent (without sufficient means to support themselves) or have Alzheimer's/dementia requiring continuous nursing care
- Organizations must maintain a bank account in the joint name of the NGO/VO
- New home proposals are accepted only in districts identified as having insufficient capacity by the state government
Exclusions
- New Mobile Medicare Units shall not be supported under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) scheme.
- No Grant-in-Aid shall be released for new Physiotherapy Clinics under State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC).
How to Apply
Step 1: Survey and Notification
- The State/Union Territory Government must first conduct a district-wise survey of existing homes and upload the details of Gap Districts or Districts of having insufficient capacity onto the E-anudaan Portal.- If the State/Union Territory Government records that it is unable to establish the Home on its own, the Central Government publishes an open notification inviting applications with wide publicity.
Step 2: Submission of Proposal
- New Proposals: All fresh proposals for project sanction must be submitted online on the E-anudaan portal in the prescribed proforma along with relevant documents within the stipulated timeline.- On-going/Renewal Proposals: Applications for the release of grants must be made in the prescribed proforma along with relevant documents and the Utilization Certificate of expenditure from the previous Financial Year before April 30th each year.
Step 3: Verification and Approval
- District Level Authentication: Once uploaded, the proposal is made available to the Central Ministry and the District Administration/State Government level for examination. The District Collector (or representative) is required to authenticate all certificates submitted by the applicant.- Recommendation: District Administration/State Government shall recommend New/Fresh proposals, along with Inspection reports, by June 15th each year.- Screening and Sanction: The Screening Committee meeting is held by June 20th each year to assess and recommend new proposals based on fund availability. After approval by the Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and concurrence of the Finance Division, sanction orders are issued by the programme division in one lot by June 25th each year.
Step 4: Fund Disbursement
- First Instalment Release: Grants should be released before June 30th each year. The total annual grant is released in two equal half-yearly instalments.- Recurring Grant Calculation: Recurring Grant-in-aid is calculated based on the number of days of attendance of beneficiaries, using a contactless IT system that seamlessly ports data into the E-anudaan portal.- Second Instalment Release: The second half-yearly instalment (balance based on attendance) is released before December 31st each year, only after the inspection report of the State Government, Central Ministry officers, or the Project Monitoring Unit is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements regarding organizational history concerning both registration and actual work experience in the social sector?
The Voluntary Organization must have been registered for a minimum of two years and must demonstrate a track record of at least two years' experience operating in the social sector when submitting the application for the grant.
If my project focuses on individuals with severe health needs, what specific age-related conditions make senior citizens eligible for Continuous Care Homes?
Senior Citizens who are seriously ill requiring continuous nursing care, or those afflicted specifically with Alzheimer's disease or Dementia, are the target beneficiaries eligible for Continuous Care Homes.
Can any non-governmental entity that possesses its own distinct legal status submit a proposal for financial support, or are there limitations on their type?
Any public body or institution that holds a legal status of its own is eligible to apply for assistance under the guidelines set forth, provided they meet all other stipulated criteria.
What is the highest level of priority given among applying agencies that are seeking grant-in-aid assistance for senior care projects?
The highest priority for selection is assigned to Self Help Groups of senior citizens, followed by Corporate Social Responsibility Foundations and Start-ups focusing on elderly care.
If I intend to provide services through a project, is it acceptable for the bank account to be held solely in the name of the Non-Governmental Organization?
No, the bank account used by the Non-Governmental Organization or Voluntary Organization for receiving the assistance must be maintained and operated jointly.
If the proposed project involves establishing a new physiotherapy clinic, can I expect to receive a grant-in-aid under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens sub-scheme?
No Grant-in-Aid will be released for starting new Physiotherapy Clinics; this project type is permitted only in existing Government District Hospitals under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens.
If my organization is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or any equivalent state law, is this sufficient to meet the general organizational criteria?
Yes, registration under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860) or any relevant Act of the State or Union Territory qualifies your organization for applying for the grant.
I am applying to establish a new facility for mobile medical outreach services; does this category of project receive financial assistance under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens?
No, the scheme explicitly states that financial assistance will not be provided to support the establishment of new Mobile Medicare Units under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens sub-scheme.
What specific legal category must an applying non-governmental institution fulfill if it is registered under the Companies Act to be considered eligible for funding?
The Non-Governmental Organization must be a charitable company licensed specifically under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1958, to meet the eligibility requirements for receiving grant-in-aid.
If I operate a Continuous Care Home providing specialized services, what prior credible expertise must my implementing agency demonstrate to receive a grant?
To run Continuous Care Homes, the implementing agency must demonstrate a proven and credible track record in running Charitable Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Medical Institutions, or Colleges.
What is the primary financial classification used to determine which elderly citizens are eligible for shelter and food benefits provided by the homes?
The scheme primarily targets Indigent Senior Citizens. An indigent senior citizen is defined as lacking sufficient means for self-maintenance, the determination of which is made by the concerned State Government.
Does the Indian Red Cross Society or its regional branches qualify as an admissible implementing agency capable of applying for this financial assistance?
Yes, the Indian Red Cross Society or any of its branches are explicitly listed as eligible organizational types for receiving financial assistance under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- ##### ***Organizational/Legal Documents***
- Certified Copy of the Registration Certificate Under Societies Registration Act, 1860 Or Charitable Trust Act Etc.
- Non-Governmental Organization Memorandum of Association (MOA).
- Valid Registration Certificate for the Project (License From the District Authorities).
- Copies of Rules, Aims, And Objectives of the Organization.
- List of Management/Managing Committee Members.
- Valid Managing Committee Details of the Project.
- Copy of Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card of the Organization.
- Bond Execution, Rule 231(2) & 3 (Required for Implementing Agencies, Not Quasi-Government Institutions, Central Autonomous Organisations, Or Institutions With Government-Approved Budgets).
- ##### ***Financial and Annual Reporting Documents***
- Annual Report for the Year for Which Grant-In-Aid Is Sought.
- Annual Report for Last Two Years (If Non-Governmental Organization).
- Audited Statement of Accounts (Income-Expenditure Statement, Receipt-Payment Statement, Balance Sheet, Audit Report of Chartered Accountant).
- Audited Accounts of Previous Year (Required If Current Year Grant-In-Aid Is Proposed).
- Utilization Certificate Duly Certified By Chartered Accountant for Previous Recurring Grant-In-Aid As Per Rule 238 of General Financial Rules (GFR) (Required for Renewal/On-Going Proposals).
- Budget Estimates for the Proposed Year Is Uploaded.
- Budget Estimate Details (Item Wise Recurring & Non-Recurring Expenditure).
- Bank Authorization Letter.
- ##### ***Project Specific Documents***
- Staff List Along With Their Requisite Qualification In the Prescribed Format.
- List of Beneficiaries.
- Notarized Rent/Lease Agreement If Rented Building.
- Satisfactory Certificate From All Beneficiaries (Required for Renewal/On-Going Proposals).
- Rural Area Certificate From Competent Authority (May Be Uploaded In Case of Centre Located In Rural Area, Along With Rent Agreement).
- State/Union Territory Annual Action Plan (For State Government Proposals).
- Affirmative Statement Regarding Implementation of Expenditure, Audit and Tender (EAT) Module and Opening of Corresponding Code (For State Government Proposals).
- Confirmations of the Compliance of Instructions Issued By Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Division (For State Government Proposals).