• Aadhaar — Identity proof
• Age proof — Birth certificate / SSLC / Passport / PAN / Aadhaar
• Address proof — Aadhaar / Voter ID / Electricity bill / Property tax receipt
• Two passport-size photographs — Recent, white background
• Self-declaration / affidavit — On Rs. 10 stamp paper, notarised
• Bank passbook — For senior citizen savings scheme linkage
• Application form — State-specific (downloadable from state social welfare portal)

• Pension PPO — For govt-pensioners — strengthens application
• Insurance policy — For senior-citizen insurance scheme linkage
• Disability certificate — For combined senior + disability benefits
• Caste certificate — For state-specific top-up benefits for SC/ST seniors
• Family income certificate — For BPL senior citizens — additional welfare schemes

• Eligibility: Indian citizen aged 60+ (some states 65+). Super-senior at 80+ unlocks additional IT benefits.
• Issuing authority: State Social Welfare Department / District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO).
• Validity: Lifetime (no renewal).
• Benefits unlocked: Railway/bus discounts (40-50%), Air India special fares, separate hospital queue, IT exemption Rs. 3 L (60+) / Rs. 5 L (80+), SCSS (Senior Citizens Saving Scheme), LIC Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana.
• National helpline: 14567 (Elderline) for senior-citizen grievances.
• Maintenance Act 2007 — adult children legally bound to maintain elderly parents; tribunal at SDM level.

District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) office OR state social welfare portal. National Senior Citizens Council services available too.

→ Official source: https://socialjustice.gov.in/schemes/106

If senior citizen card is denied OR benefits withheld, file RTI to State Social Welfare Department for application status + welfare scheme eligibility + projected issuance.

→ Use our 🪄 AI RTI Drafter to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.

• Q: Eligibility age? — 60+ (most states); 65+ in a few. Super-senior at 80+.
• Q: Cost? — FREE in most states. Some charge nominal Rs. 50-100.
• Q: Validity? — Lifetime — no renewal.
• Q: Healthcare benefits? — Separate hospital queue + Ayushman Bharat 70+ universal coverage (announced 2024) + state-specific schemes.
• Q: Can elderly parents claim from children for maintenance? — Yes — Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007. SDM-level tribunal; quick disposal.

1. Gather mandatory documents above before applying — saves a re-visit
2. Apply via official portal (link above) — no agent needed
3. Track status: see our status-check guides
4. If rejected for “documents inadequate”: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
5. For state-specific guidance: see state portals directory

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score draft win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window

• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• All documents checklists: All 30 checklists

• Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
• Official portal: linked in “Where to apply” above
• RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.