Part A (Q2): What is meant by demography of ageing in India?

The Demography of Ageing refers to the statistical study of the size, composition, and distribution of the older population within a society, and how these factors change over time due to birth rates, death rates, and migration.

In the context of India, it highlights a profound demographic shift:

• Rapid Growth: India is experiencing a "greying" of its population. The number of people over 60 is growing faster than the general population. From around 100 million in 2011, it is projected to cross 300 million by 2050.
• Feminization of Ageing: Because women biologically outlive men, the older population in India has a higher proportion of women, many of whom are widows and highly vulnerable economically and socially.
• Rural Concentration: A vast majority (over 70%) of India's elderly live in rural areas, where healthcare and formal social security networks are weakest.
• Dependency Ratio: The demography indicates an increasing "old-age dependency ratio"—meaning fewer working-age people are available to support a growing number of retirees.