ABOUT NLU DELHI

National Law University, Delhi is one of the premier law universities in India, accredited with ‘A’ Grade by NAAC and is ranked second (for the last five years) in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of HRD, Government of India. It aims to impart comprehensive and interdisciplinary legal education. The primary objective of the University is to evolve and impart legal education that is socially relevant. Its chief mandate is to promote legal and ethical values, objectives enshrined in the Constitution of India and to foster rule of law.

ABOUT THE CENTRE FOR COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN PERSONAL LAWS (CPL)

The Centre aims to undertake research in various matters relating to constitutional law and other laws dealing with personal, matrimonial, and succession-related issues and to impart knowledge, to provide counselling, assistance, and litigation support. The Centre is involved in research and analysis of current laws, policies, programs and judicial pronouncements. It organises events such as thematic seminars, conferences and debates on various topics, concerning different kinds of stakeholders depending upon the topic of research. Keeping in mind the values of indigenous Indian society and fundamental constitutional principles, the Centre endeavors to study and research various changes occurring in socio-economic set-up, family system and behavioral patterns, varying needs and aspirations of common man, including women, children and elderly people, ever widening gap between various strata of society, for which different kinds of initiatives are taken to decipher the causes and to suggest measures to improve overall peace, tranquility and development in the society.

CONCEPT NOTE

The global demographic transition marked by increasing longevity and declining fertility has led to a significant rise in the elderly population, particularly in countries like India and Japan. While Japan stands as one of the most aged societies globally, India is witnessing a steady increase in its elderly demographic, with critical implications for health, social security, legal rights, and economic participation. This edited volume aims to offer a comparative socio-legal exploration of aging in these two diverse yet interlinked jurisdictions.

Through the lens of law and public policy, this volume seeks to understand how both India and Japan are addressing the challenges and opportunities contested by the aging population. The work is situated within a rights-based and development-oriented framework that critically engages with legal regimes, institutional mechanisms, family structures, economic entitlements, and social welfare schemes. The endeavour is not only to assess statutory frameworks and judicial responses but also to reflect on broader structural, cultural, and technological factors that shape aging in society.

By aligning this analysis with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly those concerning gender equality, health, dignity, peace and socio- economic justice — the volume aspires to contribute to a nuanced, interdisciplinary conversation on the future of elder care and active aging. Contributors are encouraged to interrogate existing laws and policies, identify implementation gaps, and propose evidence-based reforms that are contextually grounded yet globally relevant.

We invite original and unpublished chapters for the present volume that undertakes a comparative legal and policy analysis of issues concerning senior citizens in India and Japan. The book will be divided into two parts — Part I (India) and Part II (Japan) — and seeks to critically examine national laws, policies, institutional frameworks, and socio-legal issues and solutions thereon, towards aging populations in both countries. This volume aims to foster a deeper understanding of aging through a socio-legal framework, while also undertaking  the inquiry with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We encourage contributions that explicitly engage with one or more SDGs and map their research and analysis to specific targets within these Goals.

THEMES/ SUB-THEMES

Following themes are only suggestive and indicative. Contributors are welcome to propose related themes that align with the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

TRACK 1: GENDERED IMPACT OF AGING

Mapped to SDG 5: Gender Equality (Targets-5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 5.a, 5.b, 5.c)

Suggested Sub-themes:

• Feminization of aging
• Policy interventions for elimination of discrimination, abuse, neglect, and violence faced by elderly women
• Participation of elderly women in public life and employment
• Laws and policies to ensure economic rights and resources for elderly women       Gendered access and availability of healthcare facilities
• Aging, gender, and the law across the life cycle
• Facilities and enabling technologies for empowering elderly women
• Equality and empowerment of elderly women: laws and policy initiatives

TRACK II: INEQ UALITY AND AGING

Mapped to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (Target 10.2, 10.3) 

Suggested Sub-themes:

• Laws and policies for social, economic, and political inclusion of the elderly
• Equal opportunities and reducing income disparities through  non-discriminatory laws and policies
• Regulation, control and elimination of caste and class-based disparities for elders
• Fiscal, wage and social protection laws and policies for elderly
• Role of pensions and social safety nets in reducing inequality for elders      
• Legal support for the financially dependent elderly

THEMES/ SUB-THEMES

TRACK III: SUSTAINABILITY, PEACE AND ROBUST INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS

Mapped to SDGs 11 & 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (Target 11.2, 11.7, 16.b, 16.3, 16.10, 16.6)

Suggested Sub-themes:

• Analysis of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and its implementation
• National Commissions and Ministries for elderly welfare including Minimum Standards for Senior Citizen Homes, 2024
• Role of tribunals and courts in protecting rights of elderly
• Laws and policies to ensure access to safe, affordable, inclusive and sustainable private and public spaces for elderly
• Laws and policies to ensure safe, affordable, inclusive and sustainable transportation and recreational systems for elderly
• Efficacy of old age homes, elderly facilities, assisted living, and community centers
• Laws and policies to promote easy and effective access to justice for elderly Inter-generational justice and effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
• International commitments (e.g., UN Madrid Plan) and domestic compliances
• Laws and policies for legal identity and protection from age- and gender- based discrimination
• Promoting sustainable development through non-discriminatory laws and policies
• Access to legal aid and representation for the elderly
• Access to information and communication technologies for elderly inclusion
• Institutional care of senior citizens and mental health

THEMES/ SUB-THEMES

TRACK IV: SOCIO-LEGAL ISSUES IN AGING

Mapped to SDGs 1, 3 & 8: Good Health and Well-Being (Target 1.3, 3.8, 3.c, 8.3)

Suggested Sub-themes:

• Role of family in elderly care and impact of nuclearisation of families in India       Financial constraints and poverty among the elderly
• Social security systems and sustainable measures to support elderly
• Analysis of NITI Ayog’s recommendations in “Senior Care Reforms in India: Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm” (A Position Paper)
• Analysis of social welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana, National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (under PM-JAY/Ayushman Bharat) etc.
• Contribution to society and/or employment/employability of elderly
• Laws and policies for elderly rights to resources, services, property and technology
• Laws and policies to promote and develop the support and sustenance mechanisms to ensure elderly to contribute, create and innovate in nation building
• Role and active involvement of elderly in entrepreneurship and enterprising
• Sustainable, inclusive and productive opportunities for employment, decent and dignified work for elderly
• Right to health and well-being of elderly
• Right to health care services (physical, mental, and social health) and well- being of elderly
• Access and achievement of safe, quality, effective and affordable healthcare services for elderly
• Need and utility of affordable and sustainable health insurance and financing by legal intervention
• Protection of Older Persons in Crisis such as disasters and pandemics Inter generational justice and social security

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 Word Limit: 6,000 to 8,000 words (including footnotes; excluding abstract and references)

Citation Style: Bluebook 22nd Edition (strict compliance required)

Use of AI Tools: Not permitted; all submissions must be original and human- authored

Authorship is limited to 2 authors per submission. Each author must include a short bio-note (not exceeding 150 words)

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

 Abstract Submission (300–500 words): October 12, 2025

Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: October 31, 2025

Full Chapter Submission: January 24, 2026

Notification of Acceptance: February 14, 2026

All  abstract  should  be  in  .doc  or  .docx  format  and  submitted  through  the google form: https://forms.gle/62kB6svDu9rJ 2tKZ7

REVIEW PROCESS

 All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review. Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to submit full chapters, which will be reviewed for originality, relevance, and scholarly merit.

The Editors reserve the right to reject any submission at any stage of the publication process if found lacking in originality, scholarly rigor, thematic alignment, or ethical standards.

The decision of the Editors shall be final and binding in all matters relating to selection, editing, and publication.

PATRON-IN-CHIEF & PATRON

• Prof. ( Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi, India
• Prof. ( Dr.) Ruhi Paul, Registrar, National Law University, Delhi, India

PUBLISHER

Springer Nature Singapore Pvt. Ltd.,  152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore

EDITORS

• Prof. ( Dr.) Anupama Goel, Professor of Law & Research Director Centre for Comparative Studies in Personal Laws, National Law University, Delhi, India
• Dr. Haluna Kawashima, Associate Professor Faculty of Welfare, Tohoku Fukushi University, Japan

Official Links 

Official link of the Brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hW8mDedb5Wtybqo00zzGATKwPBCqDdEJ/view?usp=sharing

In case of queries

contact: agingindia@nludelhi.ac.in