Jeevan Pramaan 2026: Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners Guide

Every pensioner in India — whether retired from a central government job, state government, EPFO, defence services, or a public sector bank — must prove once a year that they are alive to keep receiving their pension. This proof is called a Life Certificate. Until a few years ago, this meant standing in a queue at a bank or post office branch, often difficult for elderly or bedridden pensioners. Jeevan Pramaan, the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) system launched by the Government of India, lets pensioners submit this proof online using Aadhaar-based biometric or face authentication, from home.

What Is Jeevan Pramaan?

Jeevan Pramaan is a biometric-enabled digital service that generates a Digital Life Certificate for pensioners and stores it in a central database. Once submitted, the pensioner's bank, post office, or pension disbursing agency can access the certificate directly and continue crediting the pension without the pensioner visiting any office. The certificate is linked to the pensioner's Aadhaar number, so Aadhaar enrolment and a mobile number are mandatory.

When to Submit — The Annual Window

The Digital Life Certificate submission window opens on 1 November and closes on 30 November every year for most pensioners. Super senior citizens aged 80 years and above are allowed to submit earlier, starting 1 October, so they are not rushed in the final weeks. Always check the current year's exact dates on jeevanpramaan.gov.in or the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare website (pensionersportal.gov.in), since the window is occasionally extended by a few weeks if there is high demand or technical downtime.

What You Need Before You Start

• ●Aadhaar number, with your mobile number linked and active
• ●PPO (Pension Payment Order) number
• ●Bank account number or post office savings account used for pension credit
• ●Name of the pension disbursing agency (bank branch, post office, or department)
• ●Type of pension (Central Government, State Government, EPFO, Defence, Railways, etc.)
• ●A smartphone or computer with a working camera, or access to a biometric fingerprint/iris device

Method 1: Face Authentication (No Device Needed)

The easiest option for most pensioners in 2026 is face authentication, which needs only a smartphone camera — no separate biometric scanner. It can be done by the pensioner alone, or with help from a family member or an operator at a Common Service Centre (CSC).

1. 1On an Android phone, open Google Play Store and install the app named 'Aadhaar Face RD'
2. 2Install a second app named 'Jeevan Pramaan Face App' from Google Play Store
3. 3Open Jeevan Pramaan Face App and tap 'Operator Authentication' — the operator (which can be the pensioner's own registered Aadhaar) scans their own face first to unlock the session
4. 4Tap 'Pensioner Verification', then enter the pensioner's Aadhaar number, PPO number, mobile number, and select the pension disbursing agency from the dropdown list
5. 5Tap 'Capture Face', hold the phone at eye level in good lighting, and let the pensioner look directly at the camera until the scan completes
6. 6On successful match, the app shows a confirmation screen and generates a Digital Life Certificate ID — save or note this ID
7. 7Download the certificate PDF from jeevanpramaan.gov.in under 'Download DLC' using the same Aadhaar or PPO number, usually available within a few hours

Method 2: Jeevan Pramaan Mobile App with Fingerprint Device

If a fingerprint or iris biometric scanner (STQC-certified device, commonly used at Aadhaar centres) is available, the original Jeevan Pramaan app can be used instead of face authentication.

1. 1Visit jeevanpramaan.gov.in and download the 'Jeevan Pramaan' desktop or Android application under the 'Downloads' section
2. 2Connect the fingerprint or iris biometric device to your computer or phone via USB and install its device driver from the same downloads page
3. 3Open the Jeevan Pramaan app and click 'Generate Life Certificate'
4. 4Enter Aadhaar number, mobile number, PPO number, pension account number, disbursing agency name, and pension type
5. 5Click 'Submit' — an OTP is sent to the linked mobile number; enter it to proceed
6. 6Place the finger or eye on the connected biometric device when prompted for scanning
7. 7On a successful match, a confirmation with the Digital Life Certificate ID appears on screen

Method 3: Doorstep Service via India Post Payments Bank

Pensioners who are unable to use a smartphone or visit a centre can request a postman to visit home with a biometric device through India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).

1. 1Call the IPPB toll-free number 155299 or visit ippbonline.com to request a Doorstep Digital Life Certificate service
2. 2Alternatively, download the 'IPPB Online' or 'PostInfo' app and select 'Doorstep Banking' then 'Digital Life Certificate'
3. 3Share your address, Aadhaar number, PPO number, and pension account details with the request
4. 4A postman visits with a biometric device on the scheduled date, verifies the fingerprint or iris scan, and generates the DLC on the spot
5. 5A service fee of approximately ₹70 is charged for this doorstep visit

For EPFO Pensioners (EPS-95)

EPFO pensioners drawing pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme can submit their Digital Life Certificate through the UMANG app, the Jeevan Pramaan portal using their Aadhaar, or at any nearby EPFO office and authorised bank branches. EPFO has also introduced a Video Life Certificate facility for pensioners who cannot complete biometric or face verification, allowing submission through a scheduled video call with an EPFO official.

How to Download or Check Your Digital Life Certificate

1. 1Go to jeevanpramaan.gov.in
2. 2Click 'Download DLC' or 'Certificate Download' on the homepage
3. 3Enter your Aadhaar number or Certificate ID (received after submission) and the registered mobile number
4. 4Enter the OTP sent to your mobile
5. 5Click 'Submit' to view and download the certificate as a PDF

Common Problems and Fixes

• ●Fingerprint not matching: try iris scan instead, or switch to the Face Authentication app
• ●Mobile number not linked to Aadhaar: visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update it before attempting DLC submission
• ●OTP not received: check that the mobile number in Aadhaar records matches the one used for pension records; wait a few minutes and retry
• ●Face scan failing repeatedly: ensure bright, even lighting with no cap, mask, or sunglasses, and hold the phone steady at eye level
• ●PPO number not found in records: contact your pension disbursing bank branch or the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) to verify the PPO details on file

Helpline and Support

For technical issues with the Jeevan Pramaan portal or apps, pensioners can call the toll-free helpline 1800-11-1555. For grievances related to central government pension processing, the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare can be reached through the CPENGRAMS portal at pgportal.gov.in. EPFO pensioners can use the EPFO helpline 1800-118-005 or the UMANG app grievance section for pension-specific issues.