Niti Aayog Pitches National Caregiving Policy for Viksit Bharat

New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI) The Niti Aayog on Wednesday called for the creation of a National Policy on caregiving, a caregiver council to provide professional recognition and a dedicated cadre in response to the rising demand for long-term care services due to demographic transition.

The Aayog, in a report titled 'Reimagining Care: Strategies for Empowering Caregivers in Viksit Bharat@2047', further recommended expanding social security, welfare and entrepreneurship support for caregivers.

The report also pitched for strengthening international partnerships and global mobility to position India as a global hub for skilled caregivers.

It also suggested creating a standardised training, certification and career pathway for caregivers.

The report emphasised the need to leverage technology and digital innovation for training, service delivery and monitoring.

The Aayog proposed a framework for creating a National Caregiver Registry and digital platform to strengthen workforce planning and service delivery, expanding social security and welfare measures for caregivers, and strengthening support for family and community caregivers.


"Together, these measures seek to build an integrated ecosystem of caregiving services, improve the quality and accessibility of care, empower caregivers through professional recognition and support, and enable India to meet its growing domestic care needs while emerging as a trusted global provider of skilled caregiving professionals in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047," it said.

Releasing the report, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said, "Caregiving is not merely a service; it is a testament to our values, a reflection of our humanity, and a strategic opportunity for the future. As India charts its course towards Viksit Bharat@2047, we stand at a unique moment to harness our demographic dividend - both domestically and globally through structured investments in caregiving".

India is undergoing a rapid demographic transition that is significantly increasing the demand for long-term care services. By 2050, the country's elderly population is projected to reach 347 million, placing unprecedented pressure on the existing care ecosystem.

There are two types of caregivers - formal and informal. A formal caregiver, often referred to as a personal care aide, is a professional who provides non-medical assistance and support to help older individuals, people with disabilities (PwDs), or patients with terminal or chronic illnesses with their daily activities.

Informal caregivers can be family members, friends, or volunteers who take care of the elderly.

The threshold age for elderly people differs across countries. In developing countries, the threshold for old age is 60+, including India. In developed countries, the threshold for old age is 65+, which is generally considered the starting point for old age.