As India stands at a defining phase in its demographic transition, HelpAge India today launched the ‘Institute for Longevity and Ageing Research’, a national platform dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research, innovation and evidence-based policy, in the presence of chief guest Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Former Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Govt. of India, who as Chairperson led the Committee to Develop Comprehensive Strategy for Senior Citizens Care in India, along with experts from a range of leading institutions.

As India enters an era of unprecedented population ageing, with nearly one in five Indians projected to be aged 60 years and above by 2050, the need for research and advocacy has never been more urgent.  Therefore, building on its longstanding legacy of working for the wellbeing and empowerment of older persons, HelpAge India launched the Institute for Longevity and Ageing, an institute that brings together four critical functions – advancing rigorous scientific research, driving innovative solutions, informing policy and building capacity. By integrating these functions, it aims to create a seamless link between academia, government, and on-ground practice, enabling cross-sector collaboration in ageing and longevity research. Anchored in the Indian context, while engaging with global research networks, the Institute hopes to bridge the critical gap between knowledge and implementation.

Adopting a citizen-centred approach, it will place older persons' voices, lived experiences and aspirations at the heart of research, ensuring that evidence is translated into actionable strategies, programmes and policies. It will focus on five core research frontiers - Precision Geriatrics, Silver Economy, Legal Gerontology, Geron Tech and Ageing Futures.

The Institute will serve as a national knowledge and innovation platform on ageing, produce flagship annual State of Ageing in India report, advance interdisciplinary research, and translate evidence into scalable models that strengthen health systems, protect rights, and promote healthy longevity. Amongst other initiatives, it aims to pilot studies in select areas, establish a Silver Tech Innovation lab, an Observatory for Elder Healthy Longevity and Health Systems, create an Innovation Fellowship Programme and establish a Longevity Research Leadership Programme and Online Learning Platform.

Mentioning that the institute is a first-of-its-kind in the space, Dr Vinod Kumar Paul said, “As we open a new chapter, I want to mention that there is a gender dimension, an economic dimension, a social dimension to be mindful of. There are five underpinnings of this Institution, that we look at our mantras: Indian model which is sustainable and imbedded in our culture, a model that is inclusive and equitable, a model that is gender sensitive to its heart, a model that is collaborative and looks at bringing the stakeholders such as

institutions, alliances organisations, bodies together and we become a nucleus. This will make a great beginning, a great start. Today, I congratulate the stakeholders of the elderly population of India.”

Prof. Anil Krishnan, Director, Institute for Longevity and Ageing Research, shared, "At the platform for Longevity and Ageing Research, we believe that longevity is not merely about adding years to life, but about adding life to those years. As populations continue to age, our mission is to advance cutting-edge research, foster meaningful collaborations, and translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that promote healthy, active, and dignified ageing. Building on decades of community engagement from HelpAge India, the platform is committed to conducting citizen-centred research generating evidence that informs policy and drives meaningful social change. This event reflects our commitment to bringing together leading minds from academia, healthcare, industry, and policy, to address the opportunities and challenges of longevity, and to build a future where individuals can thrive throughout every stage of life."

Rohit Prasad, CEO, HelpAge India, highlighted that, “HelpAge India has worked for decades for the cause and care of older persons, combining community-based interventions with research to better understand the evolving realities of ageing. As demographic shifts unfold and reshape societies, economies, and institutions, India has a unique opportunity to write its own chapter in the story of longevity, informed by its context, choices, and aspirations. Realising this potential will require coordinated action across stakeholders including age-inclusive and age-disaggregated datasets that help us better understand life beyond 60, greater academic focus through the establishment of Ageing and Longevity Research Hubs across universities and research institutions, and stronger investment by philanthropy, CSR, and other funders in research and innovation. Through ILAR, we aim to catalyse these efforts and advance solutions so that longer lives are also healthier, more secure, dignified, and meaningful lives.”

About HelpAge India

HelpAge India is a leading non-profit organisation working with and for older people in India for the past 48 years. Through healthcare, age care, livelihoods, disaster response, research and advocacy, HelpAge India works to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged older persons across the country while championing their rights, dignity and wellbeing. It is the first and only Indian organisation to receive the UN Population Award (2020) for its exemplary contribution to ageing and population issues and has also been conferred the Vayoshreshtha Samman by the Government of India for its work for senior citizens.