Later Life in India: Ageing Well in Perspective
Later Life in India: Ageing Well in Perspective marks the inaugural flagship policy report of the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness (CRWBH), FLAME University, a defining step in the Centre’s mission to generate actionable, data-driven insights on wellbeing in India. As India rapidly ages, this report offers one of the most comprehensive state-level assessments of the ageing experience to date, focusing on health capacity to work, social protection, and the structural inequalities shaping later life. Drawing on the India Wellbeing Insights research platform, the report compiles secondary data from multiple national sources to illuminate both progress and persistent gaps. But beyond the numbers, this is a values-driven document, anchored in the belief that ageing should be met not with neglect, but with investment, care, and dignity. It is both a scientific resource and a policy manifesto, calling for regionally nuanced, equity-focused approaches to support India’s elders. As CRWBH’s first major policy output, it sets the tone for the Centre’s commitment to advancing wellbeing through rigorous research and bold ideas.
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Global Approaches to Wellbeing Measurement: Indices and Frameworks
As one of the Centre for Research in Wellbeing and Happiness’s (CRWBH) first research contributions, the Global Approaches to Wellbeing Measurement: Indices and Frameworks reflects our foundational commitment: to build an Indian wellbeing framework that is globally informed and locally grounded. This compendium curates 15 leading international indices and frameworks that explicitly incorporate subjective wellbeing, offering a panoramic view of how nations are redefining progress beyond GDP. Spanning efforts from Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness to Ireland’s Wellbeing Framework and Korea’s Quality of Life Indicators, the compendium reveals both shared global domains, such as life satisfaction, education, and health, and the distinct cultural lenses shaping each country’s priorities. It highlights how spiritual resilience, indigenous belonging, environmental stewardship, and caregiving roles are woven into wellbeing narratives worldwide. As CRWBH embarks on its journey to define India’s own wellbeing metrics, this compendium serves as both anchor and aspiration. It is a foundational resource for researchers, policymakers, and civil society to learn from global innovations while charting a uniquely Indian path, where wellbeing becomes not just a measure, but a mandate.
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Centenarians and Near-Centenarians in India: For All We Know?
This study was an attempt at profiling centenarians and near-centenarians in India, utilizing data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-19). Our findings revealed centenarians (and near-centenarians) as predominantly widowed, residing in rural areas, and possessing at least a secondary level of education. Remarkably, these centenarians were found to be in good health, characterized by lower rates of chronic ailments, and elevated subjective well-being. As the World Health Organization heralds 2021-2030 as the Decade for Healthy Aging, India, poised to house the world’s largest centenarian population, stands at a pivotal juncture. Timely research and policy action are imperative to achieve these global commitments.
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Expanding Horizons: The use of AYUSH System of Medicine in India
This study explores the utilization of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) systems of medicine in India, leveraging data from the 2022-2023 National Sample Survey (NSS). The findings reveal that nearly half of the population utilizes AYUSH, with Ayurveda being the most prominent. The report highlights demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing AYUSH usage, including higher utilization among urban residents, elderly populations, and pregnant women. The study highlights the potential of AYUSH in complementing conventional medicine, especially in managing chronic diseases, and calls for increased integration and regulation within India’s healthcare system.
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Reducing Neonatal, Infant and Child Mortality: Malnutrition and Morbidity in Vulnerable Urban Slums of Kolkata
Child in Need Institute (CINI) has implemented a two-year project (2023 - present) aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes in the slum areas of three wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, targeting critical healthcare gaps in urban slums. The project addressed significant challenges, including a high prevalence of high-risk pregnancies (89%), nutrition-related risks (78%), and inadequate antenatal care with less than 4 ANC checkups for 49% of pregnant women
