India Enhances Pension Management with Digital Life Certificate Campaign

Context:

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is conducting its third annual Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign from November 1 to 30, aimed at facilitating the submission process for pensioners. Since 2014, retirees from government, defense, railways, public sector undertakings, and educational institutions have been required to submit a life certificate each November to continue receiving their pensions. With the Jeevan Pramaan system, pensioners can submit their life certificates online, avoiding the need to physically visit banks or post offices. For those who prefer traditional methods, the option to submit physical certificates at banks or post offices remains available. This campaign includes 1,900 camps across the country to assist pensioners in this digital transition, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Jeevan Pramaan Initiative
2. Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) Generation
3. Campaign Takeaways
4. Conclusion

Jeevan Pramaan Initiative

• Introduction and Purpose:
  • Jeevan Pramaan is a digital life certificate initiative launched by the Government of India in 2014, designed to streamline the process for pensioners to submit their life certificates.
  • Managed by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions through the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), the initiative significantly eases the annual verification process required for pensioners to continue receiving their pensions.
• Key Features:
  • Convenience: Allows pensioners to submit life certificates from any location, leveraging digital technology to avoid physical visits to pension-disbursing authorities.
  • Digital Access: Direct submission of certificates to pension-disbursing authorities through a digital platform, enhancing efficiency and reducing potential delays.
  • Wide Reach: Available at various accessible points including banks, post offices, and through biometric devices equipped for this purpose.
  • Annual Campaigns: Dedicated campaigns, typically in November, include setting up camps to assist pensioners in generating Digital Life Certificates (DLCs).

Challenges in Implementation

• Access Issues:
  • Pensioners in rural or remote areas often face challenges due to limited digital literacy or lack of internet connectivity, hindering their ability to use the digital service.
• Technical Difficulties:
  • Biometric authentication, particularly fingerprint recognition, can fail due to age-related degradation of biometric markers.
• Awareness:
  • Some pensioners remain unaware of the digital system and continue to rely on physical submissions, indicating a need for enhanced outreach and education about the system.

Pensioner Demographics and Participation

• Statistics:
  • As of March 31, 2024, India has 64.88 crore central government pensioners, including civilians, defence personnel, railway employees, telecom, and postal workers.
  • During the previous year’s DLC campaign, 1.47 crore certificates were generated, demonstrating widespread participation and the effectiveness of the initiative.

Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) Generation

• Authentication Methods:
  • The Jeevan Pramaan portal utilizes Aadhaar for biometric authentication, and since 2021, face authentication has been introduced as an alternative.
  • Pensioners need to have their Aadhaar linked with a mobile number and registered with the pension disbursing authority to generate a DLC.
• Campaign and Outreach:
  • Organized camps in 800 cities across India and at Indian missions abroad, with additional support from post offices and banks, to facilitate the generation of DLCs.

Campaign Takeaways

• Adoption of New Technology:
  • The adoption of face authentication has seen a significant increase, with 31.02% of pensioners opting for this method in the early days of the campaign.
• Statistics of DLC Generation:
  • In just the first 11 days of the campaign, 48.10 lakh DLCs were generated, showcasing the high engagement and utility of the initiative.
• Demographic Breakdown:
  • A substantial portion of DLCs were generated for pensioners aged 60-70 years, indicating active participation across various age groups.
• Regional Participation:
  • The highest numbers of DLCs were generated in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Conclusion

The Jeevan Pramaan initiative represents a significant stride towards digital empowerment for pensioners in India, substantially reducing the need for physical interactions and ensuring timely receipt of pensions. However, addressing the challenges of access, technical issues, and awareness remains crucial for maximizing its benefits across all demographic segments.

-Source: The Hindu