Getting this certificate for the Life Certificate, or Jeevan Pramaan Patra, submitted in time is very important to ensure the continuous monthly pension payments to elderly pensioners in India. Otherwise, if the pensioner fails to submit the certificate by 30th November 2025, the pension payment will be discontinued, resulting in financial difficulties. More than six million pensioners being catered to by schemes like EPS-95, this requirement thus concerned central and state governments’ retirees. This article discusses the significance of the Life Certificate, means of submitting it, and a stepwise guide to avoid suspensions.
Why the Life Certificate is Necessary
Jeevan Pramaan Patra is a biometric-enabled digital certificate that has to be issued to continue the pension disbursement. Without this certificate, the authorities can assume the pensioner to be dead and stop the pension. Such a requirement has to be fulfilled every year by 30th November by all pensioners, regardless of whether they are pensioners under EPFO, central scheme, or state scheme. In 2024, over 50,000 pensioners faced the situation of delay due to non-submission, making it clear how one should adhere to such provisions to avoid any financial difficulties.
Submission Deadlines and Rules
Pensioners in the category of 60–80 years are to present the Life Certificate between November 1 and November 30, 2025. For super seniors, i.e., those crossing 80 years of age, the time period is extended from October 1 to November 30. Late submission means stoppage of the pension from December, but if he or she submits the Life Certificate along with arrears later, his or her payments need to commence again. The Life Certificate will be valid for one year; hence, it has to be renewed every year to ensure the continuous flow of payments. If a pensioner fails to renew it for any reason, the payment process is immediately suspended until the Life Certificate is renewed again, and the pensioner has to prove his or her eligibility.
How to Submit: Online or Offline
Pensioners can either choose the online or offline route to complete their Life Certificate submission.
- Online: The Jeevan Pramaan portal (jeevanpramaan.gov.in) and apps such as UMANG and DigiLocker are some of the platforms that a pensioner may use.The steps involved in the process for generations: the pensioner downloads the Jeevan Pramaan app, registers himself/herself by providing details such as Aadhaar, bank details and Pension Payment Order (PPO) number. Thereafter, either fingerprint or face scan authentication is performed. The biometric data is then sent to the server with a One-time Password (OTP) generated to complete the signing process. Once the biometric verification is complete, a digital Life Certificate is generated.
- Offline: If the pensioner cannot obtain the Life Certificate online, he or she may visit banks, post offices and treasury offices to submit a physical certificate verified by a gazetted officer, bank manager or local authority such as Patwari.
- Doorstep Banking: The banks and India Post offer home visits-for the super seniors or for disabled pensioners-for a small charge from the pensioner’s accounts.
Also Read: Unified Pension Scheme Changes From August 1: 3 New Rules Bring Big Benefits