PM Modi launches digital life certificate 'Jeevan Pramaan' for pensioners

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the 'Jeevan Pramaan', an Aadhar-based digital life certificate for pensioners, a move that could eventually benefit over one crore pensioners.

The Prime Minister said that after the push towards self-certification, this digital life certificate was another enabling mechanism which would benefit the common man.

The proposed digital certification will do away with the requirement of a pensioner having to submit a physical 'life certificate' in November each year, in order to ensure continuity of pension being credited into his account. The Department of Electronics and IT has developed a software application which will enable the recording of the pensioner's Aadhar number and biometric details from his mobile device or computer, by plugging in a biometric reading device.

The earlier requirement entailed that a pensioner either personally presents himself before the Pension Disbursing Agency, or submits a Life Certificate issued by authorities specified by the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).

At present, 50 lakh individuals draw pension from the Central Government alone. A similar number draw pension from State and Union Territory Governments. Several PSUs also provide pension benefits. Over 25 lakh retired personnel draw pension from the Armed Forces. The Jeevan Pramaan will help reduce hardship of producing a life certificate every year.

The software application system will be made available to pensioners and other stakeholders on a large scale at no extra cost. It can be operated on a personal computer or a smartphone, along with an inexpensive biometric reading device. This facility will also be made available at Common Service Centres being operated under the National e-Governance Plan, for the benefit of pensioners residing in remote and inaccessible areas.