Senior Citizens Act

Published on 13 Oct 2025

• The Supreme Court rejected a senior couple’s attempt to evict their son under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

• The Act allows senior citizens (60+) unable to support themselves “from his own earnings or property owned by him” to seek maintenance from children or legal heirs..

• It places an obligation on these children or relatives to meet the parents’ needs “so that such parents may lead a normal life”. 

• The Act also establishes dedicated tribunals to hear these suits, along with appellate tribunals to hear challenges to any orders passed.

• Section 23 of the Act gives parents an avenue to receive maintenance even after transferring or gifting their property. 

• If this condition is not met, the provision states that the transfer “shall be deemed to have been made by fraud or coercion or under undue influence” and can be declared void if the senior citizen approaches the tribunal.

Keywords:

Senior Citizens Act Senior citizens Geriatrics Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 Maintenance of parents Domestic violence social exclusion Inclusion Social groups Dependency