Keralam has passed landmark legislation aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of senior citizens, improving their access to public services and encouraging their participation in the economy. The Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026, was passed unanimously by the state Assembly, with members across political parties supporting the legislation piloted by Chief Minister VD Satheesan. The bill is the first major piece of legislation introduced by the Congress-led government and fulfils a key promise made during its Assembly election campaign earlier this year. It seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for elderly welfare, extending beyond protection from neglect and abuse to cover independence, participation, healthcare and dignified living.
The legislation comes as Keralam faces a rapidly ageing population driven by falling fertility rates, longer life expectancy and the migration of educated and skilled young people. According to statistics from the Registrar General of India, people aged 60 and above account for 18.7% of the state's population in 2026, compared with the national average of 11.4%. This proportion is projected to increase to 20.9% in Keralam by 2031 and 22.8% by 2036, against respective national estimates of 13.1% and 14.9%. Estimates for 2021 placed the state's elderly population at approximately 6.5 million. A working paper by the International Institute of Migration and Development attributed the demographic transition partly to Kerala reaching below-replacement fertility levels as early as 1987, supported by family planning, reproductive health awareness and improvements in healthcare.
The state government had approved the creation of a separate department for elderly welfare on its first day in office in May, with Satheesan taking charge of the portfolio. However, it argued that an administrative department alone would not be sufficient without a legal framework guaranteeing senior citizens' rights. The new bill is guided by six principles: dignity and respect, the best interests of senior citizens, ageing in place and home-based care, safety and social support, independence, and participation. These principles provide for quality home-based care, access to income-generating opportunities, safer public spaces, legal aid and mechanisms to report abuse and harassment. State-level and district-level senior citizen care and protection units will monitor welfare schemes, address complaints concerning care centres and coordinate with local organisations.
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A key provision defines abuse of senior citizens and prescribes penalties for those found guilty. Family members, legal heirs or care-centre staff who subject elderly people to physical or mental abuse or cruelty can face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of ₹50,000. Abandoning a senior citizen without their consent can attract the same punishment. The legislation also introduces mandatory registration of senior-citizen care centres and training and certification requirements for home caregivers, with geriatric care training following a uniform government-prescribed curriculum. Residential buildings must include at least one room with facilities suitable for elderly occupants, while land development plans must incorporate senior-friendly designs. To address cybercrime targeting older people, the bill provides for senior citizen cyber cells at all cyber police stations in the state, alongside faster procedures for freezing financial transactions and completing police documentation.
The bill also establishes a state reserve fund for elderly welfare, which can receive government grants, contributions from local self-government institutions, corporate social responsibility funds and private donations. It lays down procedures for senior citizens to prepare a living will at home or in a care centre, with the declaration made in the presence of the chairperson of the district-level senior citizen protection forum. The original document must be kept securely by care-centre officials or the person's nearest kin, while a copy is submitted to the district-level forum. The legislation also sets out procedures for cremation and last rites when elderly residents of care centres are incapacitated or indigent. These provisions seek to address practical concerns surrounding care, personal choices and end-of-life arrangements, while establishing clearer responsibilities for institutions and caregivers.
The legislation builds on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, which requires children, grandchildren or other specified relatives to provide maintenance for food, clothing, shelter and healthcare. The central law provides for tribunals to hear complaints from senior citizens unable to maintain themselves and envisages care homes for their welfare. Amendments introduced in 2019 expanded the definition of parents, removed the ₹10,000 monthly maintenance cap and provided for designated police officers to handle senior citizens' complaints. The Keralam bill adopts a wider approach by explicitly addressing safe public spaces, employment opportunities, legal assistance, registered care facilities and certified caregivers. It also includes provisions relating to living wills in line with the legal framework recognised by the Supreme Court. Satheesan said the bill does not contain provisions contrary to the 2007 central legislation or the state Assembly's 2025 bill proposing an elderly commission.
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