In its ongoing commitment to enhancing the ‘Ease of Living’ for Central Government pensioners, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has actively promoted the use of Digital Life Certificate (DLC) or Jeevan Pramaan. Beginning in 2014 with the introduction of biometric device submissions for DLCs, the department has since collaborated with MeitY and UIDAI to develop a Face Authentication technology system based on Aadhar database. This technology allows pensioners to submit their Life Certificates conveniently from any Android-based smartphone, reducing reliance on external biometric devices.
The breakthrough Face Authentication technology, launched in November 2021, made the DLC submission process more accessible and affordable, leveraging smartphone-based technology. To further promote awareness and usage of DLC/Face Authentication technology among Central Government pensioners and Pension Disbursing Authorities, DoPPW initiated a nationwide campaign in November 2022, spanning 37 cities and generating over 35 lakh DLCs.
Building on the success of the first campaign, the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 2.0 is currently underway from November 1st to 30th, 2023. This campaign is being conducted at 500 locations in 100 cities across the country, targeting 50 lakh pensioners. Collaborating with 17 Pension Disbursing Banks, Ministries/Departments, Pensioners’ Welfare Associations, UIDAI, MeitY, and others, DoPPW aims to create widespread awareness and adoption of the DLC-Face Authentication technique.
To facilitate the campaign, DoPPW has strategically placed banners and posters in offices, bank branches, and ATMs to educate pensioners. Banks have established dedicated teams using smartphone apps for extensive DLC submissions by pensioners. For those unable to visit branches due to age or illness, bank officials are conducting home or hospital visits for DLC submissions.
Pensioners’ Welfare Associations are actively supporting the campaign, motivating pensioners to participate and submit their DLCs at nearby camp locations. Department officials are visiting major locations throughout the country to assist pensioners in utilizing various digital modes for submitting their Life Certificates, closely monitoring progress.
The campaign has generated considerable enthusiasm, with over 25 lakh Digital Life Certificates generated by the end of the second week of the launch. Notably, 14,500 pensioners above 90 years old and 1,93,601 pensioners between 80–90 years old have successfully submitted their DLCs from the comfort of their homes, offices, or branches. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh lead the campaign with a combined total of 6.25 lakh DLCs generated during the second week of the month-long campaign.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare remains committed to ensuring the success of this campaign and will continue its efforts to streamline and simplify the Life Certificate submission process for pensioners nationwide.
