Chennai: Dr. Karthik Narayan R, Founder and Managing Director of Athulya Senior Care, has been appointed Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Committee on Senior Care for the 2026–27 term. The appointment, effective July 2026, was announced at the meeting of the CII Committee on Senior Care held on July 14.
The appointment comes at a time when India’s senior care sector is poised for significant growth, driven by rapid demographic changes and increasing demand for organised elder care services. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the country’s population aged 60 years and above is projected to grow from around 100 million in 2011 to nearly 230 million by 2036, accounting for almost 15% of the total population.
The demographic transition is expected to accelerate demand for organised senior care, geriatric healthcare, skilled caregivers and long-term care infrastructure, while also increasing the need for policy interventions and industry collaboration to strengthen the ecosystem.
Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Karthik Narayan R, Founder and Managing Director, Athulya Senior Care, said, “It is an honour to be appointed as the Chair of the CII Senior Care Committee at a defining moment for India’s senior care sector. Looking further ahead, NITI Aayog projects that India’s elderly population could reach nearly 320 million by 2050, accounting for almost one in every five Indians. This demographic transition presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for all stakeholders. Through this platform, we look forward to working closely with policymakers, industry leaders, healthcare providers and academia to develop evidence-based policy recommendations that strengthen long-term care, build a skilled caregiving workforce, encourage innovation and create an enabling ecosystem where every senior citizen can age with dignity, independence and access to quality care.”
The appointment aligns with the growing national focus on strengthening elder care systems through integrated care models, workforce development, technology adoption and greater public-private collaboration. Industry stakeholders believe these measures will be critical in preparing the country to address the needs of its rapidly ageing population while ensuring access to quality and dignified care for senior citizens.
