Defence pensioners can use the government’s digital life certificate system during a nationwide campaign being held from 1 to 30 November 2026. The exercise is intended to help pensioners complete the annual verification required for the continuation of their pension without relying only on visits to a bank branch or pension disbursing office.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is conducting the fifth nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign across 2,000 cities and districts. The initiative includes pensioners registered on SPARSH, the pension administration system used by defence pensioners, although the process for other pensioners is also covered under the wider campaign.
Why the annual certificate is required
A life certificate is the yearly confirmation that a pensioner is alive and remains eligible to receive pension. It is submitted to the pension disbursing authority so that pension payments can continue. The government introduced the Digital Life Certificate facility, known as Jeevan Pramaan, in November 2014 to provide an electronic alternative to the physical certificate.
Jeevan Pramaan uses Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. The current campaign particularly promotes face authentication, enabling pensioners to generate the certificate through a smartphone. Once the verification is completed, the digital certificate is sent electronically to the pension disbursing agency. A pensioner also receives a unique Pramaan ID, which can be used to access and download the certificate.
| Category | Submission period |
|---|---|
| Pensioners aged 80 years and above | From 1 October |
| Pensioners below 80 years | From 1 November |
| Nationwide DLC campaign | 1–30 November 2026 |
Digital and assisted options
The submission period depends on the pensioner’s age. Those aged 80 years and above can submit their certificates from 1 October, while pensioners below 80 can do so from 1 November. The November campaign provides a common assistance window for pensioners across the country, including senior citizens who may require support in completing the digital process.
Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, DoPPW, has encouraged pensioners to use face authentication from home through smartphones. This option is intended to reduce the need to travel to bank branches. The department has also highlighted doorstep services for pensioners who need assistance with generating their certificates.
- The Digital Life Certificate campaign is being held from 1 to 30 November 2026.
- It covers 2,000 cities and districts and promotes Aadhaar-based face authentication.
- Defence pensioners registered on SPARSH are included among the pensioners who need to complete annual verification.
For defence pensioners, timely completion of the life certificate remains linked to the regular administration of pension payments. The digital route is designed to transmit the certificate directly to the relevant pension disbursing agency, while the Pramaan ID provides a reference for accessing the submitted certificate. Pensioners who cannot complete the process independently can seek the assistance available through the campaign, including doorstep support where required.
