New Delhi: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, today launched the Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 3.0 aimed at empowering pensioners through digital means. This initiative, which aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Digital Empowerment of Pensioners,” will enable pensioners from Central and State Governments, EPFO, and Autonomous Bodies to submit their Digital Life Certificates at designated Pension Disbursing Banks or India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
The campaign, taking place from November 1-30, 2024, will be held in 800 cities and towns across India. For super senior pensioners, the process has been made even more accessible with the provision of doorstep service for the submission of their life certificates.
In his address, Dr. Singh emphasized that the initiative is part of the government’s continued efforts to improve pensioners’ welfare, following the Prime Minister’s “Nation First, Citizen First” approach. He also highlighted that the Digital Life Certificate initiative was first launched in 2014 with the Jeevan Praman system, followed by the introduction of Face Authentication in 2021.
The Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 is the largest of its kind, with 1,900 DLC camps being organized across the nation. The campaign will include the participation of pension disbursing banks like State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and the Department of Posts, along with the collaboration of 1.8 lakh Gramin Dak Sewaks (rural postal workers) who will assist in delivering services at IPPB camps in 785 cities and towns. In addition, the Pension Disbursing Banks will conduct DLC camps in 157 cities and towns.
The previous DLC Campaigns have already seen substantial success, with the DLC Campaign 2.0 in 2023 reaching 597 locations and generating over 1.47 crore digital life certificates. Of these, 45.46 lakh were for Central Government pensioners, and over 30,500 pensioners aged 90 and above benefited from the initiative.
Dr. Singh also assured that feedback from pensioners regarding the DLC Campaign 3.0 could be shared via the helpline, social media, or directly with him, helping to identify areas for improvement in the delivery process. The campaign will be monitored through real-time data on certificate submissions and stakeholder feedback.
While digital submission of life certificates will be encouraged, Dr. Singh confirmed that alternative non-digital options will remain available for those who cannot access the digital platform. Pensioners can still submit their certificates through traditional methods, such as visiting pension offices or post offices, ensuring that no pensioner is excluded from the process.
The launch event was attended by senior officials from the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DPPW), Pension Disbursing Banks, IPPB, UIDAI, and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the campaign.