Why in news?
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has reported that SHATAYU, its national geriatric caregiver directory, lists 30,151 caregivers across States and Union Territories. The digital platform helps older people, families and institutions find trained professionals for elderly care. Users can search by State or Union Territory and district, examine profiles and request a callback. The ministry's 13 November 2026 update describes how the directory connects local care requirements with a trained workforce. It brings two needs into the same system: accessible support for senior citizens and employment opportunities for caregivers.
What SHATAYU connects
SHATAYU stands for Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the platform on 22 May 2026 during a national workshop on creating a well-functioning care economy. The department is part of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Geriatric care concerns the care needs of older people. These needs can include help with daily activities, mobility, recovery and companionship. The directory gives families and institutions a place to look for people whose training matches the support they require.
The geographical search matters because caregiving usually involves contact with the person receiving support. A district filter narrows the directory to the relevant area. Profile information then helps a family examine the professional's qualifications and the kind of care offered.
How a callback request works
A user selects the preferred State or Union Territory and district, specifies the type of care required and supplies contact details. The platform uses a one-time password, or OTP, to verify the callback request. The request is then made available to caregivers in the selected district, enabling direct communication with the person seeking care.
The ministry says the facility accommodates both full-time and hourly requirements. Searching the directory and placing a callback request are free. This describes the access facilities through which a user begins looking for support.
Matching support to a person's needs
The platform provides care categories for different situations. The ministry lists general geriatric care, post-surgical care, dementia and Alzheimer's care, physiotherapy and mobility assistance, palliative care and other elderly care requirements. Families can indicate the kind of support they are seeking when making contact.
Daily assistance can involve helping a person move safely or carry out ordinary activities. Other situations involve recovery, rehabilitation or more specialised support. Identifying the requirement helps the family discuss the relevant experience and qualifications with a prospective caregiver.
How caregivers enter the directory
Eligible professionals can apply by submitting personal and address details, course qualifications and training certificates. Applicants can track their enrolment status. Following review and approval, eligible profiles are listed so families and prospective employers can contact them.
The public portal also asks users to verify a caregiver's identity, background and suitability before engaging services. Where applicable, this includes police verification. These checks belong at the point where a family considers a particular professional and the support needed.
The training behind the workforce
The initiative recognises four broad training categories: Geriatric Care Provider, Geriatric Caregiver for institutional and home care, Wellness Therapist for the elderly, and Elderly Care Companion. Together, the tracks cover different forms of practical and personal support.
The ministry describes competencies including physiological monitoring, emergency handling, bedside mobility, daily-living assistance, rehabilitation, cognitive engagement and emotional companionship. Cognitive engagement involves activities that use thinking and memory. Companionship and social integration address the person's connection with other people alongside practical care.
The training framework is supported by the National Institute of Social Defence and the National Skill Development Corporation. The institutions sit under the social justice and skill development ministries respectively. Training, recognised qualifications and visibility in a directory help organise a workforce around identifiable skills.
Conclusion
SHATAYU connects a search for elderly care with information about trained caregivers in the relevant district. Its search, callback and enrolment facilities support that connection from both sides. The practical task is to match a person's care requirements with a suitable professional and maintain useful communication about the service.
Sources
- Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, 13 November 2026: SHATAYU directory, access facilities and caregiver training
- SHATAYU public portal: directory filters, enrolment facilities and guidance on engaging a caregiver