Keralam launches India’s first Elder-Friendly Office Certification
Kerala has launched the 'Elder-Friendly Office Certification' (EFOC) to improve accessibility for senior citizens in government institutions. Offices will be evaluated on criteria such as building accessibility, service delivery, and staff training, with gold, silver, or bronze certifications awarded based on performance.
Why it matters
This initiative addresses the practical challenges faced by an aging population in accessing essential public services.
The Senior Citizens’ Welfare department on Friday (September 11, 2026) launched Elder-Friendly Office Certification (EFOC) certification, a first of its kind scheme in the country, to make government offices across Keralam more accessible to senior citizens.
The certification will cover institutions ranging from village and taluk offices to hospitals, banks and transport counters. Inspections will be carried out against common standards and Gold, Silver or Bronze status will be awarded.
Certificates must be renewed periodically, and offices will also face unannounced spot checks.
Keralam has one of India’s highest proportions of senior citizens, a share that is projected to grow over the next two decades.
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