Jeevan Pramaan: PM Modi launches Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate for pensioners

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at benefitting over a crore pensioners, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched ' Jeevan Pramaan – Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners'.

According to PM Modi, Jeevan Pramaan, which is an Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate, will be an 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.

This step brings comfort & convenience. Pensioners will not have to submit physical Life certificates every year for pension continuity.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2014

Launched "Jeevan Pramaan", a Digital Life Certificate for pensioners.This step will benefit over a crore pensioners! pic.twitter.com/YbkfJW51VJ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2014

"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. Key details of the pensioner, including date, time, and biometric information will be uploaded to a central database on real-time basis, ultimately enabling the Pension Disbursing Agency to access a Digital Life Certificate. This will conclusively establish that the pensioner was alive at the time of authentication," a press release said.

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 Aadhar-Based Digital Life Certificate will go a long way in reducing hardship which so many senior citizens have to go through to produce a Life Certificate every year," the press release added.

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," the press release said.