Pensioners are required to submit a life certificate every year to continue receiving their pension. While this was traditionally done by visiting a bank branch or pension disbursing office, the government allows pensioners to complete the process digitally through the Jeevan Pramaan platform.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is conducting its fifth nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign from November 1 to 30, 2026, across 2,000 cities and districts.
The campaign aims to help pensioners, particularly senior citizens and those living in remote areas, submit their certificates using Aadhaar-based face authentication.
At a recent event, Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, DoPPW, encouraged pensioners to use face authentication to generate their certificates from home through smartphones, without visiting bank branches. The department has also highlighted doorstep services for pensioners who need assistance.
Here is how pensioners can submit a life certificate online, the available alternatives and the process for defence pensioners registered on SPARSH.
What is a life certificate and why is it required?
A life certificate is an annual document through which pensioners confirm that they are alive and eligible to receive pension. It must be submitted to the pension disbursing authority to ensure the continuation of pension payments.
The government introduced the Digital Life Certificate facility, known as Jeevan Pramaan, in November 2014. It uses Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to allow pensioners to complete this verification digitally instead of submitting a physical certificate.
Once generated, the digital certificate is made available electronically to the pension disbursing agency. Pensioners receive a unique Pramaan ID, which can be used to access and download the certificate.
Life Certificate 2026: When should pensioners submit it?
The annual submission window depends on the pensioner’s age:
- Pensioners aged 80 years and above: From October 1.
- Pensioners below 80 years: From November 1.
The fifth nationwide DLC campaign will run from November 1 to November 30, covering 2,000 cities and districts.
Pensioners can also seek assistance at designated camps, bank branches and other service centres. Doorstep services are being arranged for those unable to visit these facilities.
How to submit a Digital Life Certificate online through Jeevan Pramaan?
Pensioners can generate a digital life certificate using a smartphone through Aadhaar-based face authentication. The facility is available on Android and iOS devices.
The steps are:
- Download the Jeevan Pramaan Face App and AadhaarFaceRD application from the respective app store.
- Open the Jeevan Pramaan app and complete operator authentication.
- Enter the pensioner’s details, including Aadhaar number, name, mobile number, PPO number and pension account details.
- Give consent for Aadhaar-based authentication.
- Capture the pensioner’s photograph using the smartphone camera and complete face authentication.
- Following successful authentication, the digital life certificate is generated and a Pramaan ID is sent to the registered mobile number.
- Pensioners can use this ID to access their certificate through the Jeevan Pramaan portal.
What if a pensioner does not have a smartphone?
Pensioners who cannot generate a certificate using a smartphone can use other available facilities:
- Bank branches: Visit the pension disbursing bank or an authorised branch for biometric authentication.
- Common Service Centres: Submit the certificate with assistance from an authorised operator.
- Post offices: Use Digital Life Certificate services available through designated post offices and India Post Payments Bank.
- Doorstep services: Request assistance through participating banks if unable to visit a branch or service centre.
- Physical submission: Submit a physical life certificate to the pension disbursing authority.
The government is also organising special camps during the November campaign to facilitate submission and address pensioners’ grievances.
How can defence pensioners submit their life certificate through SPARSH?
Defence pensioners covered under the System for Pension Administration (Raksha), or SPARSH, can complete their annual identification through the portal or other authorised facilities.
SPARSH is an online pension administration system managed by the Defence Accounts Department. It provides services relating to pension processing, disbursement and pensioner identification.
Defence pensioners can use the following methods:
Digital Life Certificate through Jeevan Pramaan
Pensioners can generate their certificate using Aadhaar-based authentication. While entering the details, they should select:
- Sanctioning authority: Defence – PCDA (P) Allahabad
- Disbursing authority: SPARSH – PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad
Identification through the SPARSH portal
Pensioners can log in to the SPARSH portal and access the identification facility.
They can select Services, followed by Identification and Digital Life Certificate. For manual submission, they can select the Manual Life Certificate option, download the prescribed certificate, get it signed by an authorised signatory and upload it on the portal.
Authorised service centres
Defence pensioners can also approach designated Common Service Centres, Defence Pension Disbursement Offices (DPDOs) and other authorised service centres for annual identification.
The SPARSH portal also allows pensioners to check their previous identification date and next identification due date.
Defence pensioners who have not migrated to SPARSH should follow the applicable identification process through their existing pension disbursing authority.
What happens if a pensioner does not submit a life certificate?
Submission of a life certificate is necessary for the pension disbursing authority to verify the pensioner’s continued eligibility. Failure to complete the annual identification within the prescribed period can affect pension payments.
Pensioners should check whether their certificate has been successfully generated and accepted by the pension disbursing agency. In case of rejection or authentication failure, they should contact the concerned bank or pension authority to resolve the issue.