Digital Life Certificate: pensioners can now submit it from home on a smartphone, no bank visit needed
The Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare held a mega camp with Punjab National Bank in New Delhi on 3 November 2026 under the 5th nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign. It benefits every pensioner and family pensioner, who can now submit a life certificate from home using face authentication.
What this means for you
If you receive a pension or family pension, this concerns you. You no longer need to depend on someone else or visit a bank branch for your life certificate — face authentication on a smartphone lets you do it from home. Those who cannot do it themselves can get help at home through banks and post offices.
Key facts
- The 5th nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign is under way
- A mega camp was held at the Sansad Marg branch in New Delhi on 3 November 2026
- In the last campaign, over 14 lakh pensioners aged 80 and above submitted digital life certificates
- Face authentication technology was introduced in 2021
- Digital life certificates made through face authentication rose from 50 lakh to about 1.25 crore in the last campaign
What happened
The Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) held a mega camp on 3 November 2026 at the Sansad Marg branch in New Delhi with Punjab National Bank, under the 5th nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign. The camp aimed to help pensioners and family pensioners submit digital life certificates through face authentication technology, and to spread awareness about digital services.
Why a life certificate matters
To keep receiving a pension, a pensioner has to confirm from time to time that they are alive — this is called a life certificate. According to the department, a digital life certificate lets a pensioner use services without depending on others.
What has changed
Joint Secretary Shri Dhrubajyoti Sengupta said digital life certificate services have grown considerably since they began in 2014, and the process became easier after face authentication technology started in 2021. In the last campaign, digital life certificates made through face authentication rose from 50 lakh to about 1.25 crore.
Who benefits
The facility is for every pensioner and family pensioner. Secretary Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma said the campaign’s success depends on reaching every pensioner, including those in remote areas. She said that in the last campaign, more than 14 lakh pensioners aged 80 and above submitted their digital life certificates.
What you should do
According to the department, pensioners can make their digital life certificate from home using a smartphone. They do not need to depend on another person or visit a bank branch. For those unable to go to camps or complete the process themselves, banks and post offices have arrangements to provide services at home.
What else happened
The camp also held an interaction session with senior pensioners, and a medical camp was set up alongside the digital life certificate services. The department encouraged pensioners to share their experiences and inspire fellow pensioners to adopt face authentication.
Questions and answers
How can I make a Digital Life Certificate from home?
By using face authentication on a smartphone. According to the department, you do not need to depend on another person or visit a bank branch for this.
What if I cannot make the life certificate myself?
Banks and post offices have arrangements to provide services at home. This is meant for pensioners who cannot go to camps or complete the process themselves.
Can family pensioners also use this facility?
Yes. The camp aimed to help both pensioners and family pensioners submit digital life certificates.
When did face authentication technology start?
According to the department, the technology started in 2021, which made the life certificate process easier.
Where can I get more information about this campaign?
The information comes from a release by the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare. You can also ask your bank or post office for help.
Source: PIB, "पेंशन एवं पेंशनभोगी कल्याण विभाग ने 5वें राष्ट्रव्यापी डिजिटल जीवन प्रमाणपत्र अभियान के दायरे में सभी पेंशनभोगियों को लाने का आह्वान किया", 3 November 2026. Read the original notice
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