The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is taking significant steps to strengthen India’s geriatric care ecosystem through SHATAYU (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility), a digital initiative aimed at connecting trained caregivers with senior citizens, their families and institutions.
Launched on May 22, 2026, during the National Workshop on ‘Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy’, SHATAYU has been developed as a centralised national Geriatric Caregiver Dashboard and Directory.
According to the Ministry, the platform currently features 30,151 caregivers across States and Union Territories, providing families with access to trained professionals for different elderly care requirements.
The platform facilitates access to general geriatric care, post-surgical assistance, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, physiotherapy, mobility assistance and palliative care. It supports both full-time and hourly caregiving requirements. Searching the directory and placing callback requests are free of charge.
SHATAYU also aims to create organised employment opportunities for trained caregivers by providing them with a digital platform to register their qualifications, training certificates and professional details.
The initiative recognises four broad training categories: Geriatric Care Provider, Geriatric Caregiver (Institutional and Home Care), Wellness Therapist (Elderly) and Elderly Care Companion. The training framework is supported by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
Through this initiative, the government seeks to promote dignified ageing, improve access to professional elderly care and develop a skilled caregiving workforce across the country.