This paper provides a review of old-age health in India and its important dimensions including size, aetiology and the socioeconomic distribution of the sick and disabled (i.e., epidemiology of ageing) to help in evolving health-care policies for the older population (60+) in the country. Drawing largely on data obtained from previous population censuses and the multiple rounds of surveys on health and disabilities conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), this study analyses the serious morbidity issues with social backwardness, consumption and poverty as the core factors in the health outcomes of the older population. The large concentration of the aged in lower consumption quintiles and among the socially backward appears to pose serious challenges for the country’s health care system. Another important value addition of this paper lies with the discussion on the anomalies in health data, particularly those relating to disabilities. The study argues that these anomalies may not only affect research on geriatric health, it may undermine efforts to plan for old age healthcare services in the country as well as its financing mechanism.