By Drishti The Vision Foundation The Supreme Court of India refused to entertain a writ petition that sought the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for senior citizens. The writ petition referred to senior citizens (population ageing) as a vulnerable class that deserves special attention under Article 21 of the Constitution, which ensures the right to a dignified life. Source Drishtiias
Last year, India nudged past China to become the world's most populous country, according to UN estimates. With nearly 1.45 billion people now, you'd think the country would be quiet about having more children. But guess what? The chatter has suddenly picked up. Leaders of two southern states – Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu – have recently advocated more children. Andhra Pradesh is mulling providing incentives, citing low fertility rates and ageing population. The state also scrapped its "two-child policy" for local body elections,...
According to a white paper by the Forum for Progressive Gig Workers, the gig economy in India is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%, reaching USD 455 billion by 2024, driving significant economic growth and employment opportunities. What is the Gig Economy? About: The gig economy refers to a labor market characterized by short-term, and flexible jobs often facilitated through digital platforms. It involves individuals or companies offering services on a temporary or task-by-task basis, rather...
The rise of the gig economy in India represents a profound transformation in the country’s labour market. Enabled by rapid digitization, growing smartphone usage, and platforms like Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato, millions now perform short-term “gigs” without formal employment. This shift promises flexibility for both businesses and workers, offering companies an on-demand workforce while allowing workers immediate earnings. Yet, this transformation has a dual nature: while it offers flexibility and income opportunities, gig work also brings challenges, such as...
New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) Delhi health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj announced on Monday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has re-launched the senior citizen pension scheme, despite challenges posed by the Central government. The scheme, offering financial assistance to Delhi residents aged 60 and above, was revived under the leadership of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had previously launched it but saw it halted during Political setbacks. The re-launched scheme has seen overwhelming interest, with over 10,000 applications on its first day. The...
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said an additional 80,000 people are now eligible for old-age pension in Delhi, raising the total number of such beneficiaries to 5.3 lakh. Kejriwal said at a press conference that the Delhi government is committed to social welfare and highlighted that the decision to pay old-age pension to more people is being implemented following Cabinet approval on Sunday. On Sunday, the Delhi government launched a portal for the elderly to apply for pensions. It has...
Syed Lateefuddin was only in the first week of his job as a driver for Uber when an early dawn ride changed his life. Lateefuddin, who is Muslim, accepted a ride around 3:30 am and was driving across the streets of southern India’s metropolis of Hyderabad—home to 11 million people and located about 440 miles east of Mumbai—when six men accosted him. The men trailed him and later attacked him, forcing him to chant Hindu religious slogans and pelting his car...
NPS Vatsalya allows accounts to be opened for children. India’s recent launch of the National Pension System (NPS) Vatsalya aims to expand pension coverage to a broader demographic, allowing individuals from infancy to 70 years old to participate. With its flexibility and portability, NPS Vatsalya allows accounts opened for children to be seamlessly integrated into workplace pensions as they enter the workforce. The flexibility of the NPS remains a key feature, with subscribers having control over their contributions, pension fund choices, and...
The Indian government plans to advance the launch of social security benefits for workers employed in unorganised sectors potentially before the full implementation of the comprehensive Social Security Code, according to a report by The Economic Times. This development follows efforts by several states to introduce similar provisions within their local laws. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has been engaged with aggregators operating in digital marketplaces for gig work, urging them to prepare for the extension of social security benefits...
The Indian government approved on Saturday a pension scheme which will guarantee federal government employees 50% of their base salary as a pension, moving away from a current scheme where the payout is linked to market returns. The Modi government has been forced to reassess the current pension system, adopted after a significant fiscal reform in 2004, as some states switched back to the older, fiscally straining system of fully funding a guaranteed pension. The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for India's...
