HelpAge India Launches Institute for Longevity and Ageing Research

New Delhi, July 22, 2026: HelpAge India has launched the Institute for Longevity and Ageing Research (ILAR), a national platform aimed at advancing interdisciplinary research, innovation and evidence-based policy to address the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population in India.

The institute was launched in the presence of Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Former Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Government of India, along with experts from leading institutions. The initiative comes as India is projected to have nearly one in five people aged 60 years and above by 2050, highlighting the growing need for research and policy interventions on ageing.

Building on HelpAge India's work for the wellbeing of older persons, ILAR will focus on scientific research, innovation, policy development and capacity building. It aims to connect academia, government and practitioners to promote evidence-based solutions and translate research into programmes and policies.

The institute will adopt a citizen-centred approach by incorporating the experiences and needs of older persons into its research. Its five core research areas include Precision Geriatrics, Silver Economy, Legal Gerontology, Geron Tech and Ageing Futures. Planned initiatives include an annual State of Ageing in India report, a Silver Tech Innovation Lab, an Observatory for Elder Healthy Longevity and Health Systems, an Innovation Fellowship Programme and an online learning platform.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Former Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Govt. of India, 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."

Rohit Prasad, CEO, HelpAge India, highlighted, “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. Through ILAR, we aim to catalyse these efforts and advance solutions so that longer lives are also healthier, more secure, dignified, and meaningful lives.”