This paper focuses on the urgent need in India to design built environment in the public domain to include the elderly. In the last 3 decades the elder population of India has been increasing due to advances in medical science and technology, improved health care opportunities and overall improved quality of life. But such increased population brings with it challenges for the economy and infrastructure of the nation. This paper first examines the Government’s intervention on its part as a provider in this context. A case study of a typical built environment of the precinct and neighbourhood in the National Capital Region of India follow wherein its suitability from the eyes of the elderly is examined. Based on this examination it identifies the particular needs of the elderly and points to issues that architects and urban designers need to consider in order to make the built environment in India cities an inclusive habitat for the elderly.