Medical support for senior citizens
Section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 deals with medical support for senior citizens. The State Government shall ensure that,-- (i) the Government hospitals or hospitals funded fully or partially by the Government shall provide beds for all senior citizens as far as possible; The Act was enacted on 29 Dec 2007.
The State Government shall ensure that,--
(i) the Government hospitals or hospitals funded fully or partially by the Government shall provide beds for all senior citizens as far as possible;
(ii) separate queues be arranged for senior citizens;
(iii) facility for treatment of chronic, terminal and degenerative diseases is expanded for senior citizens;
(iv) research activities for chronic elderly diseases and ageing expanded;
(v) there are earmarked facilities for geriatric patients in every district hospital dully headed by a medical officer with experience in geriatric care.
Section 20, The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (Act 56 of 2007).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Dr. Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Judgement of Main Case order-52.pdf 2018-12-13 labelled (the only labelled Judgement among 72 orders). WP(C) 193/2016. Madan B. Lokur REPORTABLE. DATE-CHECK false positive on 2018-11-26 (Constitution Day address cited in para 2); digitally signed 2018.12.13; the document is the named 13 Dec 2018 merits (same Ghisalal/Thwaha/Eera FP pattern). Isolate: MWP Act s.19 old-age homes, s.20 medical/geriatric support, s.21 publicity, plus Art. 21 dignity/shelter/health and continuing mandamus. Not s.5 (application for maintenance). Do not pad 4/23 (Vanitha filled). Do not pad 22 (implementing authorities not isolated as a statutory ingredients holding).
On this section: MWP Act s.20 requires States to earmark geriatric and medical facilities for senior citizens as part of the right to health (Ashwani Kumar).
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 20
What have the courts held on Section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act?
Dr. Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India (13 Dec 2018) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: MWP Act s.20 requires States to earmark geriatric and medical facilities for senior citizens as part of the right to health (Ashwani Kumar).
How do I find court cases under Section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Senior Citizens Act 20, section 20 Senior Citizens Act, section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Dr. Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India (13 Dec 2018).
When was Section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act enacted?
Section 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, cited as Senior Citizens Act 20, was enacted on 29 Dec 2007 as Act 56 of 2007. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 5. Application for maintenance488 words
- 6. Jurisdiction and procedure318 words
- 16. Appeals273 words
- 32. Power of State Government to make rules234 words
- 2. Definitions231 words
- 4. Maintenance of parents and senior citizens218 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.