Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 (MWPSC Act 2007) | UPSC CSE

Why in News: The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, in collaboration with NALSA, organised a Special Session on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (MWPSC Act 2007) — commonly known as the Senior Citizens Act.

The session highlighted the increasing need for legal and social protection of senior citizens in India.

Rising Senior Citizen Population in India

• India’s senior citizen population is projected to increase from 10.38 crore (2011) to 34 crore (2050).
• This major demographic shift underscores the responsibility of the government to ensure that the elderly live with dignity, safety, financial security, and social participation.

MWPSC Act 2007:

• Enacted to provide legal protection and social security for parents and senior citizens.
• Applies to all citizens aged 60 years and above.
• Recognised as a rights-based legislation ensuring responsibility of the family towards its elderly members.

Key Provisions of the Act

• Right to Maintenance:
  • Senior citizens who are unable to maintain themselves through their own income or property can seek maintenance from:
    • their children (sons, daughters, grandchildren)
    • legal heirs of their property
• Maintenance Tribunals:
  • Each State/UT establishes tribunals to ensure speedy and affordable resolution of maintenance claims.
• Monthly Maintenance Amount:
  • The Act empowers tribunals to order monthly maintenance up to a prescribed limit (varies across states).
• Abandonment of Parents:
  • Abandoning or neglecting parents is a punishable offence under the Act.
• Protection of Life and Property:
  • The Act provides safeguards against exploitation, fraud, and forcible eviction of senior citizens from their property.

Source: PIB

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