India’s elders, now comprising 14% of the population and projected to reach 347 million by 2050, face critical challenges in securing dignity, health, and economic stability. This research traces the evolution of elder rights from traditional family-based care to formal state protections, culminating in the landmark Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. This transformative legislation empowers seniors to claim financial support from children, safeguards against property exploitation as demonstrated in the pivotal Urmila Dixit case, where an elderly mother successfully reclaimed her home and criminalises abandonment. Constitutional guarantees under Articles 21 and 41 further enshrine the right to life with dignity and state assistance during old age. Despite these frameworks, implementation gaps persist. Nearly 40% of elders live below the poverty line, rural healthcare remains inaccessible to many, and one in ten seniors’ experiences abuse. Families, historically the primary caregivers, now grapple with urbanisation and shrinking support systems, yet their role in preventing isolation remains irreplaceable. Globally, India’s approach contrasts with Western nations comprehensive social security models but aligns with Global South contexts where familial duties are legally codified. Judicial responses have progressively reinforced protections, with courts prioritising elders’ welfare over legal technicalities. Moving forward, meaningful solutions must emerge through digital literacy programs to bridge technology gaps, fast-track tribunals resolving disputes within 90 days, community guardian networks identifying neglect, tax incentives for multi-generational households, and expanded geriatric care under national health missions. India stands at a pivotal moment. By weaving legal accountability with community mobilisation, we can transform ageing from a struggle into a journey of dignity. Honouring those who built our nation is not merely policy it is the ultimate testament to societal integrity.