Govt Pushes for Inclusive Care Economy as Centre Launches Digital Platforms for Senior Citizens and Caregivers

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has taken a major step toward strengthening India’s emerging care economy by organising a one-day National Workshop on “Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy”, bringing together policymakers, experts, academicians and state representatives to deliberate on building a structured, inclusive and sustainable care ecosystem in the country.

Held virtually on 22 May 2026, the workshop focused on the growing need for long-term care systems, caregiver support frameworks and technology-enabled welfare mechanisms amid changing family structures and India’s rapidly ageing population.

The event also witnessed the launch of two major digital initiatives aimed at supporting senior citizens and strengthening geriatric caregiving services across India.

Centre Highlights Importance of Building a Robust Care Economy

The workshop was organised by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and attended by representatives from:

• Central Ministries and Departments

• State Governments and Union Territories

• Domain experts

• Academic institutions

• Social sector stakeholders

The discussions focused on strengthening India’s care ecosystem and addressing the rising demand for elderly care, long-term support systems and trained caregiving professionals.

Officials noted that India is entering a phase where demographic changes, increasing life expectancy and evolving family structures are creating new social and economic realities requiring stronger care infrastructure and policy support.

Secretary Calls for Inclusive and Sustainable Care Ecosystem

The workshop commenced with a welcome address by the Joint Secretary (Senior Citizen), followed by remarks by Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

In his address, Pant emphasized the need to develop a responsive, inclusive and sustainable care ecosystem capable of addressing the complex needs of senior citizens across the country.

He highlighted that care services must evolve beyond traditional welfare approaches and become integrated into broader systems of social protection, healthcare access and community support.

Officials stressed that building a comprehensive care economy requires collaboration between governments, communities, caregivers, private institutions and technology platforms.

Ministers Reaffirm Government Commitment to Care Systems

Union Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma and Shri Ramdas Athawale, also addressed the participants during the workshop.

The ministers highlighted the government’s commitment toward:

• Strengthening long-term care systems

• Supporting caregivers

• Expanding livelihood opportunities in the care sector

• Promoting inclusive welfare systems

They noted that care services are increasingly becoming an important pillar of social development and economic inclusion.

JEEVAN Mobile App Launched for Senior Citizens

One of the major highlights of the workshop was the launch of the JEEVAN (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) Mobile App by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar.

The application has been designed to support senior citizens by improving access to:

• Welfare services

• Government schemes

• Information resources

• Assistance mechanisms

• Support services

Officials said the platform aims to create a more accessible and citizen-friendly digital support system for elderly populations across India.

The app forms part of broader efforts to integrate technology into senior citizen welfare and improve ease of access to government services.

SHATAYU Dashboard Introduced for Geriatric Caregivers

Alongside the JEEVAN app, the government also launched the SHATAYU (Senior Holistic-care Assistance and Training for Your Utility) Dashboard.

The dashboard is designed as a centralised digital platform containing information related to trained geriatric caregivers across the country.

The initiative aims to strengthen the caregiving ecosystem by improving:

• Access to trained caregivers

• Information management

• Service coordination

• Caregiver visibility and availability

Officials believe the platform can help bridge the growing gap between demand for elderly care services and availability of trained caregiving professionals.

Minister Highlights Rising Need for Caregivers

Addressing the workshop, Dr. Virendra Kumar highlighted the changing social and family structures in India that are increasing the need for organized caregiving systems.

He noted that traditional family support systems are undergoing transitions, creating rising demand for professional care services and structured long-term support mechanisms for elderly populations.

The Minister stressed that caregivers must not only be professionally trained but also sensitized to deliver compassionate and empathetic care.

“An ecosystem needs to be developed where caregivers are trained as well as sensitized to be empathetic,” he stated.

Care Economy Seen as Opportunity for Women’s Empowerment

Dr. Virendra Kumar also emphasized that the development of a strong care economy presents significant opportunities for women’s empowerment and inclusive employment generation.

He observed that the care sector can become a major source of livelihood opportunities for women through:

• Professional caregiving services

• Community care networks

• Elderly support services

• Healthcare assistance roles

Officials also noted the growing global demand for skilled caregivers, which could create export opportunities for Indian care professionals in international markets.

Experts believe India’s large workforce and expanding healthcare training ecosystem position the country well to become a major provider of global care services.

Pledges on Senior Citizen Welfare and Nasha Mukt Bharat

During the event, Dr. Virendra Kumar administered a pledge focused on senior citizen welfare followed by a pledge supporting the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.

The inclusion of both pledges reflected the government’s broader approach toward social welfare, healthy communities and inclusive development.

Four Thematic Groups Deliberate on Care Economy Challenges

Following the inaugural session, participants were divided into four thematic discussion groups chaired by senior departmental officials.

These groups included representatives from state governments, academia and domain experts and focused on key areas shaping the future of India’s care economy.

Valuing and Monetizing Care Work

Participants discussed how care work, traditionally viewed as unpaid social labour, can be recognised as an important economic asset.

Care Economy and Women’s Empowerment

Discussions examined how the care sector can support women’s economic participation and inclusive livelihoods.

Strengthening the Care Workforce

Experts explored issues related to caregiver training, professional standards, mobility and workforce development.

Financing Long-Term Care

Participants deliberated on financing mechanisms and sustainability models for long-term care systems.

The groups later presented recommendations and key takeaways for states and union territories to consider while conducting their own internal workshops and policy planning exercises.

India’s Care Economy Gaining Policy Attention

The workshop reflects growing policy attention toward the concept of the care economy in India.

Globally, care economies are increasingly recognised as critical components of:

• Social protection systems

• Public health infrastructure

• Women’s workforce participation

• Elderly welfare

• Economic inclusion

India’s ageing population and changing social dynamics are expected to significantly increase demand for caregiving services over the coming decades.

Experts note that strengthening the care economy could generate substantial employment while improving quality of life for senior citizens and vulnerable populations.

Technology Integration Central to Future Care Systems

The launch of digital platforms such as JEEVAN and SHATAYU highlights the government’s emphasis on using technology to modernise care services and welfare delivery.

Officials believe digital tools can help improve:

• Accessibility

• Service coordination

• Information availability

• Transparency

• Efficiency in care delivery systems

The initiatives also align with India’s broader digital governance and citizen-centric service delivery efforts.

Workshop Marks Important Step Toward Structured Care Framework

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment described the initiative as a significant step toward developing a structured, inclusive and technology-enabled care economy framework in India.

Officials emphasized that stronger coordination between governments, communities, institutions and private stakeholders will be essential for building a sustainable and resilient care ecosystem capable of meeting future social needs.