Indian Military Veterans

LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR PENSIONERS: WHEN TO SUBMIT, HOW TO SUBMIT, AND HOW TO CHECK APPROVAL STATUS

Pensioners in India are required to submit a Life Certificate annually to ensure the continued receipt of their pensions. Whether you are receiving a pension through the SPARSH system, DPDO (Defence Pension Disbursement Office), or a Bank’s Central Pension Processing Centre (CPPC), knowing when and how to submit your Life Certificate is crucial. Additionally, checking the status of your submission is important to avoid any disruptions in pension payments.

This article will guide you through the process, covering when to submit your Life Certificate, how to submit it (both digitally and manually), and how to check its approval status.

1. When to Submit Your Life Certificate

The submission date for your Life Certificate depends on the pension disbursement system you are using. Below is a breakdown of the different timelines based on your pension provider:

a) SPARSH Pensioners

Pensioners who receive their pension through the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration – RAKSHA) portal must submit their Life-Certificate according to the validity date shown in the SPARSH portal. If necessary, the Life Certificate can be submitted in advance before the expiration of the current certificate.

b) DPDO Pensioners

For pensioners who are still receiving their pension through the DPDO and have not yet migrated to SPARSH, the Life-Certificate must be submitted during the month of their birth.

c) Bank Pensioners

Pensioners receiving their pension from a Bank’s CPPC and who have not been migrated to SPARSH should submit their Life Certificate in October or November. This timing ensures the continuation of their pension payments without any interruptions.

2. How to Submit Your Life Certificate

Pensioners have the option to submit their Life-Certificate either digitally or manually. The digital submission process is encouraged for its convenience, but manual submission is also available for those who may have difficulty with digital methods.

a) Digital Life Certificate (DLC)

The Digital Life Certificate (DLC) can be submitted through several platforms using either fingerprint authentication or face authentication. Below are the different methods for submitting a DLC:

i. Through the SPARSH Portal

• Log in to the SPARSH portal.
• Use your Aadhaar number for fingerprint authentication.
• Ensure that your name in Aadhaar matches the name in your Pension Payment Order (PPO).
• Submit the DLC through the portal with all the necessary details.

ii. At SPARSH Help Centres

Pensioners can also visit any SPARSH Help Centre, such as DPDOs or JCDA offices, to submit their DLC using their Aadhaar-linked fingerprint.

iii. At Common Service Centres (CSC) or Cyber Cafes

You can visit CSC centers or a cyber café to submit your Life-Certificate digitally. These centers often provide digital services for pensioners.

iv. At Home Using a Finger Authentication Device

For those who are bedridden or unable to visit a service center, the DLC can be submitted from the comfort of their home using a finger authentication device.

v. Face Authentication via Mobile Phone

Pensioners can also submit their Life-Certificate using face authentication through the Jeevan Pramaan app on Android smartphones. This option allows pensioners to submit their DLC from any location.

vi. At Post Offices or Banks

Some Post Offices and banks also provide digital Life Certificate services. For bedridden pensioners, the Post Office offers a mobile facility that can be requested through the Post Info app, or pensioners can contact their area postman.

vii. While Abroad

Pensioners living abroad can also submit their Digital Life Certificate using the Jeevan Pramaan service. The Jeevan Pramaan system is not geo-fenced, meaning it can be accessed from anywhere in the world without the need for a VPN. The following steps should be taken:

• Use a finger authentication device with the Jeevan Pramaan software installed on your device.
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• Set your time zone to Indian Standard Time (IST).
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• You can also submit the DLC using face authentication via the Android app, with the VPN and time zone set to IST.
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• The SPARSH platform has launched dedicated email services for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Nepal-Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) pensioners to streamline pension management. Pensioners can now submit their annual life certificates, initiate family pensions, and update personal information through the email ID sparshnri.dad@gov.in. This initiative addresses challenges faced by pensioners living abroad due to geo-fencing restrictions, enabling them to access essential services without logging into the SPARSH portal. By utilizing this email service, NRIs and NDG pensioners can efficiently manage their pensions and ensure the continuation of their benefits from anywhere in the world.

Newly Introduced Defence Pension Payment system namely SPARSH

LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR PENSIONERS: WHEN TO SUBMIT, HOW TO SUBMIT, AND HOW TO CHECK APPROVAL STATUS