Discuss the role of standardised skilling frameworks in professionalising eldercare in India.

India's population aged 60 and above is projected to grow from 10.1% (2021) to 20.8% (2050) [3]. Most eldercare is still given by untrained family members or informal workers. Standardised skilling frameworks set common job roles, curricula and certification, and so turn caregiving into a recognised profession. The SHATAYU caregiver dashboard, launched in May 2026, builds on this approach [2].

Role in professionalising eldercare

• Defined job roles: there are four certified categories: Geriatric Care Provider, Geriatric Caregiver (Institutional and Home Care), Wellness Therapist (Elderly) and Elderly Care Companion. NISD (under MoSJE) and NSDC (under MSDE) support them [1].
• Uniform competencies: the core skills include physiological monitoring, emergency handling, rehabilitation and cognitive engagement. These allow specialised dementia, Alzheimer's and palliative care [1].
• Verifiable credentials: certificates are reviewed before a profile is listed. 30,151 caregivers can now be searched district by district, and users can rate them [1].
• Portability and inclusion: a standard certificate is recognised across employers and states. In Kerala, ILO-supported Skills Collectives help domestic workers earn certified care qualifications [4].
• Valuing care work: certification puts the "Recognise" step of the ILO's 5R framework into practice [4].

Limitations

• A certified skill is not a formal job: hiring happens off the platform. Wages, contracts and safety are not recorded [1].
• Retention: across OECD countries, long-term care workers earn a median of EUR 9 an hour against EUR 14 for hospital workers, and they leave their jobs sooner [5]. Training alone does not keep workers.
• Affordability: searching is free but the care is paid. Among older women, 59% have no personal income [3].
• Uneven spread: a national total can hide districts with no caregivers [1].

Way forward

• Publish district-wise and care-type data. Training can then go first to the districts with gaps [1].
• Add the 5R framework's Reward and Represent steps (fair pay and a voice for workers), and link certified caregivers to social security [4].
• Bring in standard written contracts at the callback stage.

Standardised frameworks give eldercare clear roles, trusted credentials and market access. They professionalise the skill. To professionalise the job, they must be paired with decent pay, social protection and support for poorer families. Together, these would help secure dignified old age under Article 41 and decent work under SDG 8.