When to submit
- Pensioners aged 80 and above: from 1 October.
- All other pensioners: in November (1–30 November).
- A certificate submitted in this window is valid until 30 November of the following year.
UIDAI's life certificate FAQ states that "every Central Government pensioner has to submit an Annual Life Certificate in the month of November", and that pensioners aged 80 and above may submit from 1 October. The Government told Parliament on 1 April 2026 that nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaigns have been held from 1 to 30 November every year since 2022, and that "pensioners above 80 years can submit their DLCs in the month of October also".
What happens if you miss it
According to the same FAQ, pension for December onwards is not paid until the certificate is received. Once it is updated, pension is paid with arrears in the next payment. If no certificate is submitted for three years or more, pension restarts only after sanction by the competent authority through CPAO.
Five ways to submit
- From home with a smartphone (face authentication): install UIDAI's Aadhaar Face RD app and the Jeevan Pramaan app on an Android phone (version 9 or above, 13 MP camera, about 500 MB free). Authenticate the operator once with OTP, then scan the pensioner's face. You receive a Pramaan ID by SMS.
- Doorstep by postman (India Post Payments Bank): through the Postinfo app, for a nominal fee of ₹70.
- Doorstep banking by public sector banks: nominal fee of ₹75, through the Doorstep Banking app, website or toll-free number.
- At a Jeevan Pramaan centre / CSC: find one through "Locate a Centre" on jeevanpramaan.gov.in or by SMS "JPL <pincode>" to 7738299899.
- In person on paper: at your pension paying bank branch, post office or a designated government office, in the form in Annexure XIII of the CPAO scheme booklet.
What you need for a digital life certificate
- Aadhaar number, linked to the pension account at your bank or post office.
- PPO number, pension account number, sanctioning authority and disbursing agency (auto-filled if you generated a DLC last year).
- A mobile number for the SMS acknowledgement.
Face authentication is not available for re-employed pensioners and in cases of remarriage; they must submit the certificate in the conventional way.
Common reasons a face scan fails
- Poor light, a busy background, or more than one person in the frame.
- Moving or not blinking during the scan, or holding the phone too close or too far.
- Aadhaar or biometrics locked, or a slow internet connection.
- Not wearing glasses if the Aadhaar photo shows glasses.
For help, the FAQ lists UIDAI's helpline 1947 and the Jeevan Pramaan FAQ page; the Jeevan Pramaan portal lists 1800 111 555.
If the pensioner is ill or bedridden
A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner can be sent to the bank's pension branch, which may nominate an officer to visit the home or hospital. A paper certificate signed by specified officers (for example a gazetted officer, a magistrate, a postmaster or a bank officer) is also accepted.
Defence and family pensioners
Defence pensioners can submit through SPARSH, including Jeevan Pramaan face authentication, or at a SPARSH Service Centre. Family pensioners follow the same November rule.
Beware of fraud
Banks and the Government do not ask for OTPs by phone to "update" your life certificate. Generate the certificate yourself through the official apps or a known centre, and report fraud to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
While your pension is safe for another year, see what the 8th CPC could mean for it with the pension calculator, or check the DR in your credit with the DA/DR calculator.
Face authentication, step by step
- From the Google Play Store, install UIDAI's Aadhaar Face RD app. It runs in the background and must be installed first.
- Install the Jeevan Pramaan app and open "Operator Authentication". Enter the operator's Aadhaar number, mobile number and email, then the OTP. The operator can be the pensioner or a family member, and this is a one-time step.
- Enter the name as on Aadhaar, tick the consent box and tap Scan. Allow the camera, read the instructions and capture the operator's face.
- On the "Pensioner Authentication" screen, fill in the pensioner's name as on Aadhaar, type of pension, sanctioning authority, disbursing agency, PPO number and pension account number.
- Scan the pensioner's face. When it succeeds, the screen shows the Pramaan ID and PPO number, and an SMS follows. One phone can be used to generate certificates for many pensioners.
A checklist before you start
- Is Aadhaar linked to the pension account at the bank or post office? If not, ask the branch to seed it first.
- Keep the PPO number and pension account number handy.
- Choose a well-lit room, a plain background and a steady hand; remove a mask, and wear glasses only if the Aadhaar photo has them.
- After submitting, download the certificate with the Pramaan ID after a few days to confirm the status.