The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is advancing its initiatives to ensure dignity, security, and inclusion for senior citizens through two primary programs: the National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Elderline 14567) and the nationwide "Take a Pledge" initiative under the Ageing with Dignity campaign.
Elderline 14567 is a toll-free, pan-India helpline dedicated to serving senior citizens, operational across all States and Union Territories. Launched on 1st October 2021, it functions seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM as a single-window platform providing information, guidance, emotional support, and field interventions. Specific services include information on healthcare facilities, old age homes, day-care centers, caregivers, and elder-friendly products; guidance on legal issues, pension matters, government schemes, maintenance issues, and dispute resolution; and field intervention for cases involving abuse, neglect, rescue, reunion of homeless seniors, plus emotional support for loneliness, anxiety, and family disputes.
The complementary "Take a Pledge" campaign encourages citizens to commit to respecting, loving, and caring for senior citizens in their families and communities, treating them with kindness and empathy, valuing their knowledge and experience, standing against elder abuse, and working toward a supportive society. The Ministry has recorded significant participation with over 5.36 lakh citizens having taken this national pledge. Participants receive a digital Certificate of Commitment acknowledging their dedication to elder welfare. Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar characterized respect for seniors as a collective national commitment toward building an inclusive and compassionate India, urging more citizens to participate through the Ministry's Ageing with Dignity portal.