Major Update for Pensioners on Digital Life Certificate Campaign

A significant update has emerged for pensioners regarding the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign. This nation-wide campaign, known as Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0, is organized by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare. It will run from November 1 to November 30, 2024, across 800 cities and districts. The campaign launch will take place on November 6, 2024, at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, led by State Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Importance of the Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners

Pensioners are required to submit an annual life certificate to ensure the continuity of their pensions. Traditionally, these certificates were submitted in person, which posed challenges for many pensioners. To address this, an online, Aadhaar-based life certificate system, Jeevan Pramaan, was introduced in November 2014. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and provide pensioners with a more convenient way to submit their certificates, making the process easier and more accessible.

Raising Awareness and Expanding Reach of Digital Life Certificates

To promote the benefits of digital life certificates and the technology to generate them, the government launched the first DLC campaign in 2022 across 37 cities. In 2023, DLC Campaign 2.0 expanded to 100 cities with 597 locations, generating over 14.7 million digital life certificates, of which 4.5 million were for central government pensioners. About 2.5 million certificates were generated using facial recognition technology, benefitting over 30,500 pensioners aged 90 and above.

Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 Across 800 Cities

This year, the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) has launched the third DLC campaign, targeting 800 cities and districts from November 1 to 30, 2024. A dedicated DLC portal has been established, mapping 800 districts, 1,900 camps, and 1,000 nodal officers to streamline operations.

Key Partnerships and Responsibilities in the Campaign

The campaign will be carried out in collaboration with pension-disbursing banks, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), pensioner welfare associations, the Controller General of Defence Accounts, the Department of Telecommunications, and Indian Railways. The goal is to reach all pensioners, even in remote areas, through extensive outreach meetings and training sessions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UIDAI will provide full technical support throughout the campaign.

IPPB will also conduct camps in 785 districts through its vast network of 180,000 postal workers and Gramin Dak Sevaks, offering DLC services directly at pensioners' doorsteps.

Focus on Facial Authentication for Pensioners

A key focus of this year’s campaign is promoting the use of facial authentication technology, with technical support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UIDAI. Facial recognition has been made more user-friendly for elderly pensioners and is now compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

The benefits of DLC generation extend to pensioners from state governments, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), and other autonomous bodies, making it easier for pensioners to continue receiving their entitlements conveniently.