This guide aims to give pensioners in India a clear understanding of the Life Certificate submission process. It covers the definition, importance, and various methods of submission, with a focus on the digital submission process via mobile devices.
What is a Life Certificate?
A Life Certificate, officially known as Jeevan Pramaan or Digital Life Certificate (DLC), verifies a pensioner’s existence and continued eligibility for pension benefits. It serves as a crucial element in the pension disbursement system in India.
Importance of Life Certificate
The Life Certificate holds significant importance for several reasons:
- It ensures uninterrupted pension disbursement to eligible recipients.
- It safeguards against fraudulent claims, ensuring that pension benefits are not misused after a pensioner’s demise.
- It aids in government authorities’ efficient management and allocation of pension funds.
Here are some key points about Life Certificates in India:
- Purpose: To prevent fraudulent pension claims after a pensioner’s death.
- Requirement: Pensioners must submit this certificate once a year, typically in November.
- Format: It can be submitted either in physical form or digitally through the Jeevan Pramaan portal.
- Digital Life Certificate: The Indian government introduced a Digital Life Certificate system in 2014 to make the process more convenient for pensioners.
- Validity: The certificate is usually valid for one year from the date of issue.
- Submission: It needs to be submitted to the pension-disbursing agency, such as banks or post offices.
- Consequences: Failure to submit the Life Certificate may result in the suspension of pension payments.
Submission Timeline
Pensioners are typically required to submit their Life Certificate annually, with November being the standard submission month. However, confirming the exact submission dates with your Pension Disbursing Agency is advisable.
Methods of Life Certificate Submission
There are several methods available for submitting a Life Certificate:
1. Traditional Method
Pensioners can submit a physical Life Certificate by visiting their bank branch or post office. While this method is still available, more convenient alternatives are now offered.
Most pensioners submit their life certificates to the State Bank of India (SBI). If you are amongst them, you can download the Life Certificate SBI form below and submit it to any branch of the SBI Bank.
2. Citizen Service Centres (CSC)
Life Certificates can be obtained from nearby Citizen Service Centres. To locate the nearest CSC:
- Visit the official website: https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in
- Click on the ‘Locate a Centre’ option
- Alternatively, send an SMS to 7738299899 with the message format: “JPL [your pincode]” (e.g., JPL 110003)
3. Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Submission
This method allows pensioners to submit their Life Certificate from the comfort of their homes using a computer or mobile device.
Computer-based Submission:
- Download the Jeevan Pramaan application from https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in
- Ensure you have a STQC certified Biometric Device
- Install the ‘RD Service’ for your Biometric Device
- Maintain an active internet connection throughout the process
Mobile-based Submission:
The following steps outline the process for submitting a Life Certificate using a mobile device:
- Download the Jeevan Pramaan Mobile Application:
- Navigate to https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in
- Select the ‘Download’ option
- Provide your email address and complete the captcha
- Agree to the download terms
- Enter the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your email
- Choose ‘Mobile App download’
- Access the download link sent to your email to obtain the application
- Install the application on your Android device (Android version 4.4 KitKat or higher is required)
- Launch the application and follow these steps:
- Input your Aadhaar number
- Provide your full name and mobile number
- Enter your pension details, including PPO Number, Pension Account number, and Bank details
- Specify your Pension Sanctioning Authority and Pension Disbursing Authority
- Biometric Verification:
- The application will request biometric verification.
- You may use either your fingerprint or iris scan.
- Ensure that a compatible biometric device is connected to your mobile device.
- Upon successful biometric verification, your Digital Life Certificate will be generated.
- You will receive an SMS containing your Pramaan ID, a unique identifier for your certificate.
Important Considerations
- Ensure the accuracy of all provided information. Incorrect details may result in the rejection of your DLC.
- It is unnecessary to submit the DLC to your bank or post office manually. The certificate is automatically transmitted to the relevant authorities.
- The Digital Life Certificate is legally valid and recognized under the Information Technology Act.
- Please note that remarried or re-employed pensioners are not eligible for the Digital Life Certificate. In such cases, a physical certificate must be submitted through traditional channels.
Assistance and Support
If you encounter any issues during the submission process or if your certificate is rejected, please get in touch with your Pension Disbursing Agency for guidance on the necessary steps to resolve the situation.
Conclusion
The Digital Life Certificate system has been implemented to simplify the annual verification process for pensioners. It eliminates the need for physical visits to banks or post offices, offering a more convenient and efficient submission method. We encourage all eligible pensioners to utilize this digital system for a smoother experience.
