The Concessions and facilities given to senior citizens - data obtained under RTI

1. Ministry of Finance

a) Threshold limit of exemption under Income Tax up to an income of Rs. 1.95 lakh p.a.

b) Deduction in respect of medical insurance premium upto a maximum of Rs. 20,000 under section 80 D.

c) Higher rate of interest on saving schemes for senior citizens.

d) A senior saving scheme through Postal dept. offering higher rate of interest per annum on the deposits of senior citizens.

e) Exclusive Health Insurance schemes through Public Sector Insurance Companies for senior citizens.


2. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

a) Financial Assistance upto 90% of the project cost is provided to NGO's for establishing and maintaining Old Age Homes, Day Care centers, Mobile Medicare Units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons.(Plan)

b) One time grant /assistance to Panchayathi Raj Institutions/Voluntary organizations/Self Help Groups for construction of Old Age Homes/Multi-Service centers for older persons.(Non Plan)

3. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

a) Reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of buses.

b) Fare concession for senior citizens in some state road transport corporations.


4. Dept. of Telecommunications

a) Priority for attending requests and complaints of senior citizens whenever they visit the office of the BSNL.

b) Senior Citizens are allowed to register telephone connection under N-OYT Special Category, which is a priority category.

5. Ministry of Railways

a) 30% Fare concession by the Indian Railways in all Mail/Express including Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/ Jan Shatabdi trains for senior citizens aged 60 years and above.

b) Facility of separate counters for senior citizens for purchase/booking/cancellation of tickets in selected cities.

6. Ministry of Civil Aviation

a) Indian Airlines offers 50% discount on the normal economy class fare to senior citizens for travel on domestic sectors on its networks.

b) Air India also provides some discounts for senior citizens (63 plus in case of women and 65 plus in case of men)


7. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

a) Priority to the ration card holders who are over 60 years of age in Fair Price Shops for issue of rations.

b) 35 Kg of food grains per BPL family per month at the rate of Rs. 3 per kg of food grain and Rs. 2 per Kg of Rice. The persons aged 60 above from BPL category are given priority for identification.

8. Ministry of Rural Development

a) A central assistance of Rs 200 pension per person per month under National Old Age Pension Scheme.

b) 10 Kg of food grains per beneficiary per month for free under Annapoorna Scheme to those senior citizens who remain uncovered under old age pension scheme.

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