State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 01 Oct 2025

Rajasthan to Make State Elderly Friendly

Why in News?

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reiterated the state government's commitment to making Rajasthan an "elderly-friendly state" during his address ahead of the International Day of Older Persons, which is observed annually on 1st October.

Key Points

• Initiatives by Rajasthan Government:
  • Honouring Contributions: The Social Justice and Empowerment Department has launched various welfare programs for the elderly, and on 1st October, individuals and institutions contributing to elderly welfare will be honoured at the district level.
    • Rajasthan currently operates 63 old-age homes that provide food, healthcare, and shelter for destitute citizens.
    •  Facilities like Shravan Kumar Welfare Ashrams offer medical support, adult education, religious activities, and recreation for senior citizens.
  • Inclusive Welfare Projects: All new welfare and infrastructure projects will include provisions tailored for senior citizens.
  • Housing Schemes: New housing developments will feature ramps, supportive staircases, parks, and medical facilities to cater to the needs of the elderly.
  • Parents and Senior Citizens Maintenance Act, 2007: The Act is being strictly enforced, and tribunals have been set up at both subdivision and district levels to safeguard the rights of senior citizens.
• International Day of Older Persons: This day is celebrated to recognise the contributions made by older people and promote the need for inclusive and age-friendly societies.
  • Designated by the UN General Assembly on 14th October, 1990, it is based on the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing (1982) and the UN Principles for Older Persons. 
• Theme: The 2025 theme, “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”, highlights the transformative role older persons play in building resilient and equitable societies.
• Commitments & Global Framework:
  • The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) aligns with SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being. 
  • India formulated the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) in 1999 and is a signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002).
    • As of December 2023, India has 153 million elderly individuals (aged 60 and above), projected to rise to 347 million by 2050, accounting for 20.8% of the total population.

Jaipur Leads NCRB List in Cheating Cases

Why in News?

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023 highlights that Jaipur ranks third in the country for major crimes, including murder, theft, kidnapping, and crimes against women.

• However, the most significant concern for the city police is the surge in cheating cases, where Jaipur occupies the first position nationwide.

Key Points

• Cheating: According to the NCRB, Jaipur recorded 3,331 cases of cheating in 2023, making it the highest in the country. Bengaluru followed with 3,109 cases, New Delhi with 2,766 cases, and Mumbai with 2,445 cases. 
  • A large number of these cases are linked to financial fraud, such as the use of cloned debit and credit cards, which the police admit pose a serious challenge because of the involvement of multiple stakeholders like banks and financial services companies. 
• Theft: In terms of theft, Jaipur stands at the third position with 10,003 cases, only behind Bengaluru, which recorded 10,438 and New Delhi, which topped the list with an alarming 2,28,173 cases. 
• Kidnappings: A similar trend is seen in kidnappings, where Jaipur registered 939 cases, again ranking third after Bengaluru with 1,203 cases and New Delhi with 5,867 cases. 
• Murder: When it comes to murders, Jaipur is in the third spot with 131 cases, while Bengaluru recorded 215 and New Delhi 521 cases in 2023.
• Crime Against Women: The city also features prominently in crimes against women, especially in cases related to outraging the modesty of women. Jaipur recorded 408 such cases in 2023, placing it behind Bengaluru with 736, Mumbai with 781, and New Delhi with 800 cases.

Law and Order Initiatives by Rajasthan

• Strengthening of the surveillance and security system under the 'Rajasthan Civil Security Act'
• Provision of expenditure of Rs 350 crore on the establishment of the Sardar Patel Centre for Cyber Control and War Room. 
• Establishment of 400 Video Conference (VC) Nodes for the production of undertrial prisoners. 
• Installation of the T-HCBS system to block illegal mobile signals in 7 Central Prisons. 
• Provision for establishing 8 new cyber police stations.