How pensioners can submit a digital life certificate from home using a smartphone

Life certificate

For many pensioners, the annual life certificate used to mean a morning lost to travel, queues and paperwork. If you were unwell, out of town, or simply tired of standing in line, it became an unnecessary stress point.

Face authentication has made the process much easier. With a smartphone and a few basic details, pensioners can submit a digital life certificate from home, and the certificate goes electronically to the pension disbursing authority.

Here is a clear, practical way to do it.

Step 1: Get your information in one place first

Do not begin with the apps. Begin with the details. Keep the pensioner’s Aadhaar number, PPO number, and the mobile number linked to Aadhaar ready. Also keep the bank and pension authority details you usually provide for the life certificate. This saves time and avoids mistakes later.

Step 2: Use a phone with a decent front camera

The pensioner does not have to own a smartphone. A family member’s phone works fine. What matters is a working front camera, stable internet, and updated software. If the camera is weak or the phone is very old, the face scan may fail repeatedly.

Step 3: Download only the official apps

You will typically need two apps: one that supports Aadhaar face authentication and the Jeevan Pramaan face app used to generate and submit the certificate. Install both from the official app store. Avoid links sent on WhatsApp or by unknown callers, even if they claim they are “helping”.

A small note that confuses many first-timers: the face authentication component often runs in the background, so you may not “open” it like a normal app.

Step 4: Complete the one-time operator authentication

When you open the Jeevan Pramaan face app for the first time, it may ask for operator authentication. This is a setup step so the app can proceed. The pensioner can do it, or a family member can do it on their behalf. Once it is done, you generally do not have to repeat it each time.

Step 5: Enter the pension details slowly, then do the face scan

This is where accuracy matters most. Enter the Aadhaar number, PPO number, pension disbursing authority, bank name and the mobile number. Recheck the PPO number before you move forward.

Then the face scan begins. Sit in a bright place, ideally facing a light source. Hold the phone at eye level and keep it steady. If the scan fails, do not keep tapping “retry” in the same lighting. Move to a better-lit spot, remove glasses if needed, and try again.

Once the face match succeeds, the digital life certificate is created.

Step 6: Save the acknowledgement and the Jeevan Pramaan ID

After submission, the app shows a confirmation and a Jeevan Pramaan ID. An SMS confirmation is also usually sent to the registered mobile number. Take a screenshot of the ID or note it down. In most cases, you do not need to submit anything else, because the certificate is sent electronically to the pension authority.

A quick safety reminder

During life certificate season, scam calls increase. No legitimate process requires you to share OTPs over the phone, install random apps, or give remote access to your device. If in doubt, use the official apps only, or complete the process through your bank branch or a recognised service centre.

For pensioners, this small shift matters. It replaces a yearly outing and a queue with a short, calm task at home, and it reduces the chances of pension delays caused purely by logistics.