Keralam launches India’s first Elder-Friendly Office Certification

On September 11, 2026, the Senior Citizens’ Welfare department in Keralam inaugurated the Elder-Friendly Office Certification (EFOC) program, a pioneering initiative designed to enhance accessibility for senior citizens in government offices across the state. This certification scheme extends to a wide range of institutions, including village and taluk offices, hospitals, banks, and transport counters.

Inspections will be conducted against standardized criteria, with successful offices receiving Gold, Silver, or Bronze status. Certificates must be renewed periodically, and unannounced spot checks will also be performed. Keralam, known for having one of the highest proportions of senior citizens in India, is projected to see this demographic share increase over the next two decades.

The EFOC aims to address long-standing issues such as long queues, stairs without handrails, and forms printed in small fonts. The certification process evaluates offices across five key domains: building accessibility (30%), service delivery (25%), staff training and conduct (20%), communication (15%), and participation (10%). Four criteria are mandatory for certification: step-free entry, a ground-floor toilet, a priority queue for senior citizens, and dedicated staff to assist them.

An office lacking any of these requirements will not be certified. To achieve a Gold certificate, an office must score 85% or higher, with no domain scoring below 60%. A Silver score falls between 70% and 84%, while a Bronze status is awarded for scores between 60% and 69%, valid for two years and subject to re-inspection. Approximately 10% of certified offices will undergo unannounced inspections annually.

Third-party agencies, empanelled by the department and free from any conflicts of interest, will conduct the assessments. A nodal cell within the department will maintain the registry, while a State-level Steering Committee will establish the standards and determine Gold award recipients. The EFOC model incorporates elements from the Sharjah program in the UAE, the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities network, and the U.S. Certified Age-Friendly Employer initiative.

Technical standards for ramps, signage, and toilets are aligned with the 2021 national guidelines set under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, marking the first time these guidelines have been applied to a nationwide scheme in India. Phase one of the program focuses on finalizing the criteria, issuing a government order, and empaneling assessment agencies.

A pilot phase will commence within six months, initially covering one office per district. The second year will see the scheme expanded statewide, covering village, taluk, and collectorate offices, Treasuries, RTOs, and government hospitals. Beginning in the third year, additional offices will be included. Private healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies, may also participate voluntarily on a paid basis.

Certified offices will receive a plaque and a QR-coded digital certificate, and their names will be listed on a public registry. Gold-rated offices receive additional benefits, including priority under the Silver Economy program. The pilot phase is anticipated to commence within the current fiscal year once agencies are empanelled.