AVYAY Elderly Care in Cantonment Boards: Planned MoU and 25/50-Bed Homes

The news

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), Ministry of Defence, in New Delhi on November 16, 2026, to extend senior citizen welfare schemes under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) to Cantonment Boards across the country. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar will witness the signing.

The MoU aims to establish a framework for cooperation, coordination and convergence between the two organisations, leveraging the infrastructure and administrative network of Cantonment Boards along with the scheme support, financial assistance and technical expertise of the department. Under the partnership, new Day Care Centres and related facilities for senior citizens will be established in Cantonment Boards, and existing centres will be strengthened. Financial support will also be provided for Senior Citizen Homes with residential facilities of 25- or 50-bed capacity, wherever feasible.

Another key component is skill training for youth as geriatric caregivers through the department's training and channel partners, which officials said would create a trained workforce for elderly care while opening livelihood opportunities for young people. Awareness camps will be organised to disseminate information about the ministry's welfare schemes, and public representatives, social workers and local communities will be mobilised to strengthen awareness and participation. The MoU also promotes intergenerational bonding through a pledge to be administered to students of schools run by Cantonment Boards, along with activities encouraging interaction between young people and senior citizens.

Sajeesh Kumar N, Joint Secretary in the Ministry, said the MoU represents a 'Whole-Of-Government' approach towards senior citizen welfare. He noted that India's population aged 60 years and above is projected to increase from approximately 10 crore in 2011 to around 23 crore by 2036, and that with changing family structures and increasing urbanisation, community-based facilities such as Day Care Centres and access to trained caregivers close to home are becoming increasingly important. The MoU builds on the momentum of the Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan, a national campaign on intergenerational bonding launched by the Ministry on November 4, 2026.

What is the legal framework for Cantonment Boards in India?

Cantonment Boards are established and governed under the Cantonments Act, 2006, which replaced the earlier Cantonments Act of 1924. The 2006 Act provides for the administration of cantonments, including the constitution of Boards with elected and nominated members, and defines their duties and powers regarding public health, education, and infrastructure. The Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), under the Ministry of Defence, is the central authority responsible for the overall administration of cantonment land and policy. The first Cantonments Act was enacted in 1889 during British rule to manage civil areas adjoining military stations.

What is AVYAY and what does it cover?

Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) is the umbrella scheme of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for the welfare of senior citizens. Its key components include the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, Senior Citizen Homes, Geriatric Caregiver Training, the National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Elderline – 14567), Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana and other initiatives promoting active and healthy ageing. The scheme aims to ensure that senior citizens lead healthy, happy, empowered, dignified and self-reliant lives.

How will the partnership work and what are its expected benefits?

Cantonment Boards will contribute their infrastructure and administrative network, while the department provides scheme support, financial assistance and technical expertise. Officials said the partnership will help extend senior citizen welfare services quickly to these areas. The training of youth as geriatric caregivers is expected to create a trained workforce for elderly care while opening up new livelihood opportunities. Awareness camps and community mobilisation are intended to improve awareness and participation in welfare schemes. The intergenerational bonding activities, including a pledge for school students, seek to foster respect and understanding between generations while recognising senior citizens as sources of experience, wisdom and values.