The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has distributed 662 aids and assistive devices costing over Rs 10 lakh to 114 senior citizens living in senior citizen homes across Delhi-NCR under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana. Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar and Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma distributed the devices at an event held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on 2 October 2026. The distribution marks an expansion of the scheme to reach elderly residents in government and private homes across the country.
Key facts
- 662 aids and assistive devices distributed to 114 senior citizens in Delhi-NCR
- Total value of devices: over Rs 10 lakh
- Event held on 2 October 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
- Beneficiaries: residents of Senior Citizen Homes across Delhi-NCR
- Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) implemented the distribution
- On the same occasion, 904 senior citizens received devices at Bhavnagar, Gujarat on 1 October 2026
- Planned expansion: PM-Divya Asha Kendras to increase from 109 to 300 centres
- According to Census 2011: India has 10.38 crore senior citizens, approximately 70 per cent in rural areas
What is the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 1 April 2017. It aims to provide physical aids and assisted-living devices to senior citizens who need them. The scheme focuses on improving mobility, independence and quality of life for elderly people by making assistive devices accessible and affordable. Common devices distributed include hearing aids, walking aids, spectacles, and mobility equipment.
Why the scheme is expanding now
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar announced that the Ministry has decided to extend the distribution of assistive devices to beneficiaries living in Senior Citizens’ Homes across the country. This expansion aligns with the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Prime Minister’s initiative marking 25 years in governance. The focus on elderly residents in homes addresses their specific needs: hearing loss, mobility challenges and vision problems are common among senior citizens as they age.
The expansion recognises that access to appropriate aids enables senior citizens to become self-reliant in daily activities and maintain dignity and confidence. The Ministry also noted that many elderly people face loneliness and social isolation, making targeted support through government facilities more important.
Reach and accessibility
Currently, India has 10.38 crore senior citizens according to the 2011 Census, with roughly 70 per cent living in rural areas. To improve access to assistive devices and related services, the government plans to increase PM-Divya Asha Kendras, which are centres that provide these services, from 109 to 300. This will allow senior citizens to access devices more conveniently without long waiting periods.
ALIMCO, the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, is implementing the scheme and producing the devices. The organization is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance its services for senior citizens in future.
What this means for you
If you are a senior citizen in a government or private home, or know elderly relatives in such facilities, the expansion of this scheme means you may become eligible to receive free or subsidized aids and assistive devices. Hearing aids, mobility aids, vision correction devices and other assistive equipment distributed under the scheme help maintain independence and reduce the need for constant care.
The planned increase in PM-Divya Asha Kendras also means easier access to these services in your area without having to travel far. If you live in a rural area, where 70 per cent of India’s senior citizens reside, the expansion is particularly relevant as these regions currently have limited access to such services.
What happens next
The Ministry plans to scale up distribution to Senior Citizens’ Homes across all states and union territories. The number of PM-Divya Asha Kendras will be increased from the current 109 to 300 centres to widen accessibility. Senior citizens and their families can inquire about device distribution programmes through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment or their local senior citizen facilities.