The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), operating under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has completed an 11-day training programme designed to prepare master instructors in geriatric care. Held at NISD’s Dwarka campus in New Delhi from 7 to 18 September 2026, the Training of Trainers programme brought together healthcare professionals to build a national cadre of certified trainers who will teach geriatric care workers across India.
The initiative addresses the growing need for standardized, high-quality training in elderly care as India’s senior citizen population expands. By creating a pool of master trainers, NISD aims to ensure consistent professional standards and competency-based instruction in geriatric care throughout the country.
Key facts
- Duration: 11-day programme held 7-18 September 2026
- Location: NISD, Dwarka, New Delhi
- Organizing body: Senior Citizen Division, NISD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Participants: Healthcare professionals including GNM, B.Sc. Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, M.Sc. Nursing and MBBS graduates
- NISD status: Recognized as an Awarding Body by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)
- Key resource person for platform skills: Ms. Jasmine Hussain
- Domain skill experts included: Dr. Gahan S. Jois, Dr. K.S. Baghotia, Mr. Prem Poddar and others
Structure of the training programme
The training was organized into two interconnected components that together prepare instructors to deliver geriatric care training effectively.
Domain Skills focused on technical knowledge specific to the Geriatric Care Provider job role. This segment covered physical and health changes in elderly persons, including how body systems age and associated medical conditions. Participants studied healthy and active ageing practices, hands-on caregiving procedures, nutrition tailored for older adults, communication techniques, and managing specific conditions like dementia. The curriculum also included mental health concerns in senior citizens, non-communicable diseases, first aid for elderly persons, and how to support older adults in maintaining dignity throughout their lives.
Platform Skills strengthened participants’ abilities to teach these subjects effectively. This included communication and facilitation techniques, designing instructional delivery methods, engaging learners in the classroom, selecting appropriate training methodologies, and conducting fair assessments of trainee performance. These skills enable master trainers to transfer their knowledge to future geriatric care workers with clarity and effectiveness.
Topics covered in the curriculum
The 11-day programme encompassed a broad range of subjects relevant to modern geriatric care. Sessions addressed age-related physiological changes, preventive healthcare strategies, geriatric nutrition, dementia care and management, mental health support, prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, first aid and emergency procedures, yoga and meditation for elderly wellness, self-care for caregivers themselves, and employment readiness skills for care workers entering the formal economy.
Participants received detailed orientation on assessment methods, documentation procedures, competency standards expected across India, and certification processes. This ensures that when master trainers teach geriatric care workers in their respective regions, all trainees meet the same professional benchmarks regardless of location.
Teaching methodology employed
Rather than relying on lectures alone, the programme used interactive and hands-on learning methods. Expert sessions included role plays, practical demonstrations, group discussions, case-based learning scenarios, and opportunities for participants to share their own experience. This practice-oriented approach aimed to build not only the trainers’ own knowledge but also their capability to teach these practical skills to others in engaging, understandable ways.
A panel of specialists from geriatric care and related sectors led different sessions, bringing real-world expertise to the classroom. This multidisciplinary environment, bringing together nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, enriched learning by offering multiple perspectives on elderly care.
What this means for you
For healthcare professionals and training institutions across India, this initiative creates new pathways for employment and professional development. Those who attend similar master trainer programmes can become certified instructors, earning income by training the next generation of care workers. For individuals seeking geriatric care employment, standardized training from NISD-certified master trainers means you will receive consistent, quality instruction meeting national standards.
For elderly citizens and their families, the long-term benefit is access to better-trained, more professional home and facility-based care workers. As India’s population ages, the demand for skilled geriatric care workers will rise. This training programme helps meet that demand with capable, certified professionals who understand both the medical and emotional aspects of caring for older adults.
For state governments and social welfare agencies planning to scale up elderly care services, NISD’s certified master trainers become regional resources who can deliver training that adheres to national competency standards.
Broader context
NISD’s recognition as an Awarding Body by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training strengthens the formal credentials of geriatric care training. Graduates of NISD-approved programmes gain nationally recognized qualifications, making it easier to find employment and establish professional credibility in the growing elderly care sector.