Kerala etched its name in history on Thursday as the first Indian state to establish a Senior Citizens Commission, a landmark move hailed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Bill, passed by the state assembly on Wednesday, aims to safeguard the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the elderly, reinforcing Kerala’s top rank in elderly care nationwide.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan celebrated the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s commitment to senior citizens, calling the commission a bold step to enhance initiatives launched during its previous term. “Kerala is setting another example in elderly welfare,” he wrote, emphasizing that the body will tackle neglect, exploitation, and loneliness—persistent challenges for the state’s aging population.

The commission will also offer guidelines to address these issues and harness seniors’ skills for societal benefit.

With Kerala’s elderly population—12.6% above 60 per the 2011 census, projected to rise—outpacing the national average, the move is timely.

The commission, Vijayan said, will ensure “rehabilitation, security, and welfare” more effectively, acting as a catalyst for a “New Kerala” where seniors play an active role. “It’s the state’s duty to protect their well-being, and we’re committed to excellence,” he added.

The initiative builds on Kerala’s robust social welfare legacy, including its high life expectancy (75 years versus India’s 69.4) and extensive pension schemes.

As the first such commission in India, it sets a precedent for other states, blending policy innovation with the LDF’s progressive ethos to reshape aging in a rapidly graying society.