The origins of HelpAge India go back to the late 1960s when the then speaker of the Lok Sabha visited his counterpart in the House of Commons (UK), who was also honorary secretary of an organisation called Help The Aged. He came back with a vision of setting up something similar in India.

But it took 7 years for this vision to take shape. In March 1974, when Mr. Jackson Cole, founder of HelpAge International visited India, an intrepid philanthropist named Samson Daniel approached him for financial help to set up a member organisation in Delhi. A far-sighted man, Mr. Cole instead offered to train him to raise funds. After a three month training course in London, Mr. Daniel and his wife returned to India and organised a sponsored walk with schoolchildren in Delhi. It was so successful that in 1975 HelpAge International recruited more staff to cover Bombay, Madras and Calcutta.
In April 1978, HelpAge India was registered in Delhi. Within three months it became autonomous as financial support ceased from UK. Soon after, in July, the Society was awarded Certificates of Exemption under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, thus indicating general confidence in the Society's affairs.

HelpAge India is a not-for-profit organization registered under the Societies' Registration Act of 1860. It was set up in 1978, and since then has been raising resources to protect the rights of India's elderly and provide relief to them through various interventions.

HelpAge India voices the needs of India's 90 million (estimated) "grey" population, and directly impacts the lives of lakhs of elders through its services every year.

1. It advocates with national & local governments to bring about policy that is beneficial to the elderly.
2. It makes society aware of the concerns of the aged and promote better understanding of ageing issues.
3. It helps the elderly become aware of their own rights so that they get their due and are able to play an active role in society.