Every year, crores of pensioners must prove they are alive to keep receiving their pension. This is done through a life certificate. With Jeevan Pramaan, the digital life certificate, pensioners can now do this from home. Here is a simple guide.
Who needs to submit
Central government pensioners and many state government, PSU and EPFO pensioners must submit a life certificate once a year to the bank or agency that pays their pension. For central government pensioners, the certificate is usually submitted in November. Pensioners aged 80 years and above can submit it from 1 October. Check your pension disbursing agency’s rules if you are a state or EPS pensioner.
What is Jeevan Pramaan
Jeevan Pramaan is a digital life certificate system launched by the Government of India in November 2014. It uses Aadhaar based authentication, so the pensioner does not need to visit the bank in person. The certificate is stored online and shared with the pension disbursing agency.
Option 1: Face authentication on a phone
This is the easiest method, introduced in 2021.
- Install the AadhaarFaceRD app and the Jeevan Pramaan app from the Play Store.
- Open Jeevan Pramaan and complete operator authentication with Aadhaar.
- Enter pensioner details: Aadhaar number, mobile number, PPO number and the pension disbursing agency.
- Scan the pensioner’s face with the phone camera.
- On success, a Pramaan ID is generated and the certificate is sent to the agency.
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Option 2: Biometric devices
Pensioners can also use a fingerprint or iris scanner connected to a computer or phone, following the steps on the Jeevan Pramaan portal.
Option 3: Centres and doorstep service
- Visit your bank branch, a Common Service Centre or a post office.
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) offers doorstep digital life certificate service through postmen for a small fee.
- Some banks offer doorstep banking for senior citizens.
Option 4: Paper certificate
Pensioners can still submit a physical life certificate signed in front of the bank manager or by an authorised officer.
Nationwide campaign
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare runs a Digital Life Certificate campaign every November in cities across India, with special camps for elderly pensioners.
What if you miss it
If the certificate is not submitted on time, the pension may be put on hold. It resumes once the life certificate is submitted, along with arrears as per rules.
Bottom line
Submit your life certificate every year on time. With Jeevan Pramaan face authentication, it takes only a few minutes on a smartphone.
Source / स्रोत: Jeevan Pramaan portal, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, Press Information Bureau
