Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)

What is it?

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is a scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for senior citizens who suffer from age-related disability or infirmity. Growing older often brings low vision, hearing loss, loss of teeth and difficulty in moving about. Devices that would make daily life manageable are frequently out of reach for a poor elderly person.

Under the scheme, assisted living devices are supplied to senior citizens in the Below Poverty Line category. The devices covered include walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers, tripods and quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures and spectacles. The aim is to restore, as far as possible, normal functioning in day-to-day life.

The scheme is implemented through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO). Beneficiaries are identified through assessment camps organised together with the State Government or district administration. This is important to understand: the usual way in is to attend a camp when one is held in the area, rather than to file an application at a counter.

The official page records a monthly income cap of Rs 15,000 alongside the BPL category condition, and mentions doorstep delivery for those aged 80 years and above.

The scheme began on 1 April 2017. As recorded on the Senior Citizens portal as of 2 May 2025, more than 36 camps had been held, over 21.82 lakh devices distributed and more than 4 lakh people covered.

Potential benefit

Assisted living devices are supplied to eligible senior citizens. The devices listed officially are walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers, tripods, quadpods, hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial dentures and spectacles. Distribution is handled through ALIMCO at assessment camps, with doorstep delivery mentioned for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.

Who can apply?

Other conditions stated by the government

• Senior citizens in the Below Poverty Line category.
• Monthly income capped at Rs 15,000, as stated on the official Senior Citizens portal page.
• The person must be suffering from an age-related disability or infirmity such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth or loss of mobility.
• Doorstep delivery is indicated for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.

Eligibility information is provided for informational purposes only. Final eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant government authority.

Documents you will need

• Aadhaar card (mandatory)
• Income certificate (mandatory)
• Ration card
• PAN card
• Driving licence

How to apply

Beneficiaries are identified through assessment camps organised in collaboration with the State Government or district administration. Attend an RVY assessment camp when one is announced in the area, carrying Aadhaar and an income certificate, where the need for a device is assessed and the device is then supplied through ALIMCO.

Where to apply: offline

Deadline

No fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.