THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is set to establish a historical comprehensive legal framework for elderly care, with the Kerala Government introducing the ‘Kerala Senior Citizens Bill 2026’ in the Legislative Assembly on October 13. The bill mandates compulsory registration for elderly care homes and caregivers, outlines strict standards, and prescribes penalties for violations. Once passed, it will become the country’s first legal framework regulating the elderly care sector. Kerala was one of the first states to implement an elderly policy back in 2006, which was subsequently revised in 2013. Taking into account the needs of a rapidly aging population, a draft of a new senior citizen policy was prepared in August 2025. Furthermore, following the implementation of the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Act 2025, a dedicated department for elderly welfare is already functional in the state.
Kerala is currently undergoing a significant demographic shift marked by a rapid rise in the elderly population due to falling birth and mortality rates. According to data from the International Institute of Migration and Development, the proportion of individuals aged above 60 increased from 12.7 percent of the state’s population in 2011 to 15 percent in 2021. It is projected to reach 30 percent by 2051, with the senior citizen population expected to surpass the child population by 2030.
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