The National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman) is an esteemed recognition conferred annually by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Presented on October 1st at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, this award honors eminent senior citizens and institutions that have rendered distinguished service to elderly persons, especially the indigent. The Lifetime Achievement Award specifically recognizes senior citizens—preferably aged 70 years or above—who have made significant contributions in the field of ageing.
Benefits
- Award Decoration:
Awardees receive a Certificate, a Memento, and a Cash Award of ₹2,50,000/-. - Total Awardees:
A total of 15 awardees are recognized across 13 categories. - Ceremony Perks:
- The awards are presented by the President of India or the Prime Minister of India at a special ceremony held on the International Day of Older Persons.
- Boarding, lodging, and to-and-fro travel expenses (including one companion) are covered by the Central Government.
- TA/DA for awardees and one companion is provided at a rate equivalent to that of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
Eligibility
For the Nominee:
- Must be a senior citizen, preferably aged 70 years or above.
- Should have made significant contributions toward the upliftment and betterment of the lives of the elderly.
- Must demonstrate outstanding achievements in areas such as education, research, publication, or work performance within the social welfare sector.
- Should be recognized as a role model for exemplary contributions to society.
For the Nominating Agencies/Individuals:
- Ministries or Departments of the Government of India and their autonomous organizations.
- State Governments or Union Territory Administrations.
- Past recipients of Padma Awards, Vayoshreshtha Samman, and other National Awards.
- Members of the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).
- Renowned apex chambers (e.g., FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, etc.).
- Any other category of persons or institutions authorized by the Ministry.
Note: The awards are open to all Indian institutions, organizations, and individuals without discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, sex, caste, or creed. Self-nominations are not permitted.
Application Process
Online Registration:
- Registration:
- Authorized agencies or individuals must visit the National Awards Portal and click on “Register” at the top right corner.
- Fill in all mandatory fields (marked with a red asterisk), check the declaration checkboxes, enter the Captcha code, and click “Submit”. Login credentials will be sent to the registered mobile number.
- Application Submission:
- Log in to the National Awards Portal.
- From the list of awards, select “Vayoshreshtha Samman – National Awards for Senior Citizens” and click on “Nominate / Apply Now”.
- Complete the online application form by filling in all mandatory fields and then click “Submit”.
Documents Required
For Individual Category Applicants:
- Aadhaar Card
- Recent Photograph
- Bio-data
- Proof of Age
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Educational Qualification (e.g., passing certificate, marksheet)
- Proof of Professional Experience
- Details of work undertaken in the last three years in the relevant field
- Details of awards and honors received
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the objectives of this scheme?
To honor and recognize senior citizens and institutions/organizations that have made significant contributions to the welfare of the elderly. -
When are these awards conferred?
The awards are conferred annually on October 1st. -
Who confers these awards?
The awards are presented by the Hon’ble President of India or the Prime Minister of India. -
What is the address of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi?
Vigyan Bhawan is located in New Delhi. Detailed address information can be obtained from the official government website. -
How many categories are there in this award?
The awards are given across 13 categories, including both institutional and individual recognitions. -
What is the maximum amount of the cash award in the institutional category?
The institutional category carries a cash award of ₹2,50,000/-. -
Will the to-and-fro travelling expenses of the awardee be reimbursed?
Yes, travel expenses along with boarding and lodging (for the awardee and one companion) are covered by the Central Government. -
Are there any awards for urban local bodies?
Yes, one of the categories recognizes the Best Urban Local Body for providing services and facilities to senior citizens. -
While conferring the award, is there any preference/priority given to educational institutions?
No specific preference is mentioned for educational institutions. -
Can I nominate myself for this award?
No, self-nominations are not accepted. -
What is the URL of the National Awards Portal?
The National Awards Portal can be accessed via the official Government of India website dedicated to National Awards. -
Can the application form be filled in Malayalam?
Please refer to the guidelines on the National Awards Portal for information on language options. -
Is bio-data a mandatory document for individual categories of the award?
Yes, bio-data is a required document. -
Where can I find the PDF of the scheme guidelines?
The PDF of the scheme guidelines is available on the National Awards Portal. -
Who can become a nominee for this award?
Nominees must be senior citizens who meet the eligibility criteria or institutions/organizations that have significantly contributed to the welfare of senior citizens.