If you or a family member receives a pension, you may need to submit a Digital Life Certificate every year so that pension payments can continue without interruption.
For pensioners aged 80 years and above, the annual Life Certificate can be submitted from October 1. Other eligible pensioners generally submit it during November. Instead of relying only on a physical certificate, eligible pensioners can use Jeevan Pramaan to generate a Digital Life Certificate.
Elderly individuals who need other government services can also check our guide on how to apply for a Senior Citizen ID Card in Tamil Nadu.
Here is what you need to know before you start.
Who Is the Digital Life Certificate For?
Jeevan Pramaan is available to pensioners whose Pension Sanctioning Authority is onboarded with the Digital Life Certificate system.
This includes many pensioners receiving pensions from Central Government, State Government and other supported organisations.
The Digital Life Certificate is not only for pensioners above 80. The main difference for super-senior pensioners is the submission period: pensioners aged 80 and above are allowed to start earlier, from October.
If you are unsure whether your pension authority supports Jeevan Pramaan, you can check the list of onboarded authorities on the official Jeevan Pramaan portal.
When Should Pensioners Submit the Life Certificate in 2026?
The submission period depends mainly on the pensioner’s age.
| Pensioner | Submission period |
| 80 years and above | From October 1, 2026 |
| Below 80 years | Generally from November 1, 2026 |
| Usual annual deadline | November 30, 2026, subject to the pension authority’s rules |
The earlier October window gives pensioners aged 80 and above more time to complete the process.
It is better not to wait until the final day, especially if the pensioner may need help with authentication, pension details or an assisted service.
What Do You Need Before Submitting a Digital Life Certificate?
Keep the pensioner’s important details ready before starting.
You may need:
- Aadhaar number
- Mobile number
- PPO number
- Pension account number
- Pension type
- Pension Sanctioning Authority details
- Pension Disbursing Agency details, such as the bank or post office
- The pensioner’s Aadhaar should already be registered with the Pension Disbursing Agency.
If the pensioner generated a Digital Life Certificate in an earlier year, some pension information may already be available in the system.
How to Submit a Digital Life Certificate?
Pensioners can generate a Digital Life Certificate in more than one way. Choose the method that is easiest for the pensioner.
1. Submit From Home Using a Smartphone
A Digital Life Certificate can be generated using the official Jeevan Pramaan app and Aadhaar-based face authentication.
The basic process is:
- Install the official Jeevan Pramaan app.
- Install AadhaarFaceRD for face authentication.
- Complete the required operator authentication.
- Enter the pensioner’s Aadhaar, PPO and pension details.
- Complete face authentication using the phone camera.
- Submit the details and save the Pramaan ID generated after successful submission.
The current Jeevan Pramaan app supports face authentication on compatible Android and iOS devices. A separate fingerprint or iris scanner is not required when the face-authentication method is used.
2. Visit a Bank, Post Office or Service Centre
A pensioner does not have to use a smartphone.
Digital Life Certificates can also be generated through supported locations such as:
- Banks
- Post offices
- Pension Disbursing Agency offices
- Common Service Centres
- Jeevan Pramaan service centres
This can be useful for pensioners who are uncomfortable using mobile applications or need assistance.
3. Request Doorstep Assistance
Doorstep Digital Life Certificate services are also available through supported channels such as India Post Payments Bank.
A pensioner can contact a nearby post office or request assistance from a postman or Gramin Dak Sevak, subject to service availability.
This can be particularly useful for elderly pensioners, people with mobility difficulties or those who cannot easily travel to a bank or service centre.
What Happens After You Submit the Digital Life Certificate?
After successful generation, the pensioner receives a Pramaan ID.
The Digital Life Certificate is made electronically available to the relevant Pension Disbursing Agency. This means the pensioner generally does not have to take a printed copy to the bank or post office again.
Keep the Pramaan ID or confirmation message safely.
The pensioner can also sign in to the official Jeevan Pramaan portal using the Pramaan ID or Aadhaar number, generate an OTP and download a PDF copy of the Digital Life Certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Jeevan Pramaan the same as a Digital Life Certificate?
Jeevan Pramaan is the Government’s Aadhaar-based service used to generate a Digital Life Certificate. The Digital Life Certificate is the electronic Life Certificate created through the service.
2. Can a son or daughter help an elderly pensioner submit it?
Yes. A family member can help with the phone, app and pension details. However, the pensioner’s own Aadhaar and authentication are required to generate the certificate.
3. Do I need a fingerprint scanner?
Not if you use face authentication on a supported smartphone. Jeevan Pramaan can use the phone camera for Aadhaar-based face authentication.
4. Do I need to submit the digital life certificate again at the bank?
Normally, no. Once generated successfully, the Digital Life Certificate is electronically available to the Pension Disbursing Agency.
5. What should I do if my Digital Life Certificate is rejected?
First check whether the PPO number, pension account information and authority details were entered correctly. If the certificate is rejected, contact the Pension Disbursing Agency and verify the pension records. A fresh Digital Life Certificate can then be generated using the correct information.
Before You Submit
For pensioners aged 80 years and above, the key date is October 1. Keep the Aadhaar, PPO, mobile number and pension account details ready, then choose the most convenient method: smartphone, assisted centre or doorstep service.
For the latest rules and supported pension authorities, always check the official Jeevan Pramaan or relevant pension authority website.
If you are looking for financial assistance for eligible elderly citizens, see our guide to the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).
