The report presents India’s caregiving ecosystem and outlines a comprehensive roadmap for building an organised, professional, accessible and future-ready system of care.

• Caregiving involves the physical, emotional, and social support provided to individuals who are unable to perform daily activities independently due to age, illness, or disability. (WHO)

Caregiving Ecosystem in India

• India's care services market is projected to grow from USD 29.62 billion (2023) to USD 72.31 billion by 2030, at a 13.76% CAGR.
• Dual Care System: Care is delivered through informal (family, friends, communities) and formal (trained professionals) caregivers.

Need for a Caregiving in India

• Rising Care Demand: Ageing population and disability increase the need for long-term and palliative care.
  • Elderly Population: Estimated at 149 million (10.5%) in 2022, projected to reach 347 million (20.8%) by 2050.
• Changing Family Structure: Urbanisation, migration, nuclear families, and higher female workforce participation are reducing informal family caregiving.
• Others: Women shoulder disproportionate share of unpaid care work, Shortage of trained caregivers, lack of inter-ministerial coordination.

Key Initiatives in India

• Institutional Caregiving: National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE) etc.
• SHATAYU (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility) Dashboard; JEEVAN (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) Application
• Karnataka: Carers Groups (SHGs); Monthly Allowance for Unpaid Caregivers
• Kerala: Kudumbashree K for Care project (employment in care economy)