The rapid increase in the aged population is a global phenomenon. Like many developed countries, India has a large proportion of the elderly in the population. This demographic change is a result of the decline in child death and increased life expectancy due to advancements made in medical sciences for the control of infectious diseases. India has currently an aged population (60 plus) that comprises nearly 7% (75 million) of the total population. This is expected to increase to nearly150 million by the year 2025. Thus it becomes very essential that scientists of different disciplines and workers of various social organizations, interested in the welfare of the elderly, get together and make a united effort to keep the aged people healthy and happy.
With the above objective in mind, the Association of Gerontology (India) (AGI) was established in December 1981 with its headquarters at the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, where pioneering research in biological aspects of aging is going on since 1965. AGI is a non-profit organization registered under U.P. government Society Registration act XXI 1860 No.41 VI-268. In 1982 the association was affiliated to the International Association of Gerontology (IAG) as its sister society. The IAG was established in 1950 in Liege. The IAG has four regional associations: North American, South American, European and Asia-Oceania region. In 2005, the name of IAG has been changed to IAGG (International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics).