Updated 12 September 2026: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, or RVY, is an active Government of India scheme that provides eligible senior citizens with assessed assistive devices free of cost. It is not a cash-benefit scheme and there is no single nationwide last date announced for 2026. Registration and device distribution are organised through assessment camps, distribution camps, ALIMCO centres and other authorised channels, so local dates may be short and location-specific.
This guide explains who qualifies, which equipment may be provided, which documents to carry, how assessment works and how to verify a camp before sharing personal information. For a step-by-step visit checklist, read the Vayoshri Yojana assessment camp guide.
What is Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana?
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana was launched on 1 April 2017. It operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as part of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana framework. The objective is to provide physical aids and assisted-living devices to senior citizens with age-related disability or infirmity so they can improve mobility, communication and independence.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, or ALIMCO, is the scheme’s implementing agency. The official Senior Citizens Welfare portal says beneficiaries are identified through assessment camps organised with State Governments and District Administrations. ALIMCO also describes walk-in registration through its centres, PM Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendras, AASRA centres and the ARJUN system.
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana eligibility in 2026
| Requirement | What the official information says |
|---|---|
| Age | The applicant must be an Indian senior citizen aged 60 years or above. |
| Identity | An Aadhaar card is required. |
| Income | The applicant should belong to the BPL category or have monthly income not exceeding ₹15,000. |
| Need | The person must have an age-related disability or infirmity, such as locomotor difficulty, hearing impairment, low vision or loss of teeth. |
| Assessment | The device is selected after assessment. Eligibility alone does not guarantee a particular item. |
The ₹15,000 figure is a monthly income limit, not an annual limit. This is separate from Delhi’s Old Age Assistance pension, which has different eligibility rules. Do not mix the two schemes when preparing documents.
Which equipment is available free under RVY?
The device depends on the person’s assessed functional need. Official government information lists both generic and special items.
Generic assistive devices
- Walking sticks
- Elbow and axillary crutches
- Walkers and walking frames
- Tripods and quadpods
- Hearing aids
- Artificial dentures
- Unifocal or bifocal spectacles
Special assistive devices
- Folding wheelchairs
- Wheelchairs with commode
- Folding chairs or stools with commode
- Gel or silicone foam cushions
- Knee braces
- Spinal support and lumbosacral belts
- Cervical collars
- Walkers or rollators with brakes
- Walking sticks with seats
- Foot-care items listed under the scheme
This is not a shopping catalogue. A beneficiary should not expect every item or insist on a model that has not been medically and functionally assessed. The authorised team records the impairment, measurements and appropriate device combination.
Documents required for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
The official Senior Citizens Welfare portal marks Aadhaar and an income certificate as mandatory. It also lists documents such as a ration card, PAN card and driving licence as possible supporting identity or eligibility records. ALIMCO’s current FAQ says RVY applicants should submit Aadhaar and proof that monthly income is below the scheme limit.
Prepare the following before visiting a camp or centre:
- Original Aadhaar card and photocopies. Check that the name and date of birth are readable.
- Income proof. Carry the certificate or accepted proof specified by the organiser. ALIMCO refers to certification through the Tehsil, old-age pension record, MP, MLA or Gram Pradhan, but the local authority should confirm the format it accepts.
- BPL or ration-card record, if applicable.
- Recent photographs. Carry several passport-sized photographs in case the local registration form requires them.
- Address and contact details. Carry a working phone number for camp updates.
- Relevant medical records. Hearing tests, prescriptions, mobility notes or previous reports may help the assessor understand the need. They do not replace the camp assessment.
- Existing device. If practical, take the current walking stick, walker, hearing aid or wheelchair so the team can see fit and wear issues.
Document requirements can vary with the authorised camp workflow. Verify the list before travelling, especially if the senior citizen has limited mobility.
How to apply for Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Route 1: Assessment camp
- Find an authorised camp through the official Senior Citizens Welfare portal, District Social Welfare Office, ALIMCO or Elderline.
- Verify the date, time, venue and organising authority.
- Attend with the required originals and photocopies.
- Complete identity and income verification.
- Undergo medical or functional assessment for the relevant impairment.
- Receive an acknowledgement or beneficiary record where provided.
- Wait for the announced distribution date or official collection instructions.
Route 2: ALIMCO and authorised walk-in channels
ALIMCO’s official FAQ says a beneficiary may register through an ALIMCO auxiliary or regional centre, PM Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendra, AASRA centre or the ARJUN portal workflow. Call ALIMCO before travelling because services, assessment schedules and stock differ by centre.
Route 3: District Social Welfare Office
District officers can guide residents to notified camps and the appropriate implementing channel. For East Delhi, the Delhi Social Welfare Department currently lists its district office at Block 10, near Shamshan Ghat, Geeta Colony, New Delhi 110031, with helpline 9289550129. Confirm these details on the official Delhi Government website before visiting.
Assessment camp and distribution camp are not always the same
An assessment camp usually identifies eligible beneficiaries and records the device, measurements and fitting requirement. A distribution camp may take place later after devices are prepared and allocated. Some notices may combine activities, but families should not assume that a wheelchair or hearing aid will be handed over on the day of registration.
| Assessment stage | Distribution stage |
|---|---|
| Identity and income documents checked | Beneficiary record checked again |
| Functional or medical need assessed | Approved device handed over and fitted |
| Measurements and device type recorded | Use, care and safety demonstrated |
| Acknowledgement may be issued | Receipt or distribution record completed |
Are RVY devices really free?
Yes. ALIMCO’s official FAQ states that eligible beneficiaries receive devices free of cost and there is no fee to attend an authorised camp. Do not pay anyone for registration, priority selection or guaranteed approval.
A private photocopy, transport or medical service used independently may charge its normal fee, but that is not an RVY application charge. Ask for a receipt for any optional service and never share an OTP, banking PIN or payment-card details for scheme registration.
Doorstep delivery for people aged 80 and above
The official Ministry portal states that devices are provided at the doorstep for senior citizens aged 80 years or more. This does not mean assessment and approval can be skipped. Contact ALIMCO, Elderline or the District Social Welfare Office to ask how the doorstep provision is being implemented locally.
How to verify a genuine RVY camp
- Check whether the notice names ALIMCO, the Ministry, State Government or District Administration as an organiser.
- Look for the same event through an official government or ALIMCO source.
- Call Elderline on 14567 or ALIMCO on 1800-180-5129.
- For Delhi, verify with the relevant District Social Welfare Office.
- Ask whether it is an assessment camp, distribution camp or a privately organised help desk.
- Confirm the exact documents required and whether prior registration is needed.
- Do not pay a registration or device fee.
- Do not hand over original documents permanently.
Important 2026 clarification: the scheme is active, but camp dates expire
Official Ministry information published in July and August 2026 confirms that RVY remains active. The official Senior Citizens Welfare page was updated in August 2026. However, an individual camp may accept applicants only on its stated date and time.
A missed local camp does not necessarily mean the scheme has closed nationwide. Contact the district office, ALIMCO or Elderline to ask about another camp or an authorised walk-in option.
What happens after receiving a wheelchair or walker?
Ask for the device to be adjusted and demonstrated. A wheelchair should match the user’s body size, transfer method and home layout. A walker should be set to the correct height and used with the gait taught by a physiotherapist. Report defects through the official service route provided at distribution.
ALIMCO says its products have a one-year warranty and that service is available through its centres, PM Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendras and AASRA centres. Keep the distribution record and device details.
Common questions
Is every Indian citizen over 60 eligible?
No. The applicant must also meet the BPL or monthly-income condition and have an assessed age-related disability or infirmity.
Can a family choose any wheelchair model?
No. The authorised assessment determines the appropriate device and specifications available under the scheme.
Is a disability certificate mandatory for RVY?
The current RVY pages emphasise age-related disability or infirmity, Aadhaar, income eligibility and assessment. ALIMCO’s FAQ lists UDID and disability-certificate requirements for the separate ADIP scheme, not as the standard RVY document list. A local organiser may request relevant medical records, so verify before attending.
Can someone apply online from home?
ALIMCO refers to ARJUN registration and authorised centres, while the Ministry portal presents camp and walk-in routes. Availability of a complete self-service online application can vary. Use only links reached through official government or ALIMCO websites.
What if equipment is needed urgently?
Do not delay clinically necessary mobility or safety support while waiting for a camp. Ask the treating clinician what is needed immediately. Families may independently arrange temporary equipment, but a private rental or purchase does not form part of RVY and cannot influence approval.
Independent equipment information from Sanjeevia
Sanjeevia is not a government department, ALIMCO centre or RVY registration agent. Its role here is limited to publishing clear equipment information. Families preparing for an assessment can review the walker height and home-fit guide or compare a standard manual wheelchair to understand the questions that affect safe fit. Government-scheme applicants should use official channels for eligibility and allocation.
Official contacts and sources
- Department of Social Justice and Empowerment: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
- ALIMCO: Eligibility, registration, camp and service FAQ
- Elderline 14567, open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM according to the official portal
- Delhi Department of Social Welfare district contacts
- Press Information Bureau: RVY status, 21 July 2026
This article is an independent public-information guide, updated from official sources on 12 September 2026. Scheme rules, camp schedules and accepted documents can change. Verify current information with the responsible government authority before travelling or submitting personal data.