The Pension Disbursing Authority data (CPAO + state treasuries combined) shows over 78 lakh DLCs were generated in November 2025 alone — about 62% via Face Authentication (up from 18% in 2022). Yet roughly 3.4 lakh pensioners had their pension paused that month for non-submission. Most of them were either unaware of the digital option or stuck at the bank queue.

Jeevan Pramaan is an Aadhaar-based biometric authentication system launched in November 2014 by the Department of Electronics & IT (now MeitY). It generates a Digital Life Certificate (DLC) — a digitally signed proof that the pensioner is alive — and pushes it directly to the Pension Disbursing Authority (PDA: bank, post office, treasury, EPFO).

You must submit a DLC if you are:

• A central government civil pensioner (Defence civilian, Railway, P&T, etc.) — disbursing authority is CPAO through your bank.
• A defence pensioner (Army, Navy, Air Force, ex-paramilitary) — disbursing authority is PCDA Allahabad / Naval Pension Office Mumbai / AFCAO Delhi through your bank.
• A state government pensioner — disbursing authority is the State Treasury through your bank.
• An EPS-95 pensioner (Employees' Pension Scheme 1995, ~78 lakh subscribers) — disbursing authority is EPFO through your bank.
• A PSU / autonomous-body pensioner — disbursing authority is the PSU / body's nodal bank.

When?

• Standard window: 1 November to 30 November every year.
• Pensioners aged 80 years and above can submit from 1 October (special early window since 2020).
• Family pensioners: same November rule.

If you miss November, your pension is paused from 1 December until you submit. Once submitted, the bank releases the held amount in 3-7 working days (no interest is paid for the gap).

The legal anchor is Rule 38 of the CCS (Pension) Rules 2021 (and parallel state rules) — the rule that requires annual proof of life.

This is the prerequisite for any digital DLC method. Without Aadhaar linkage to the PPO (Pension Payment Order) and bank account, none of the digital methods will work.

• Check on https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in → “Pensioner Authentication” → enter Aadhaar + PPO number → if your record shows up, you're linked.
• If not, visit your disbursing bank branch with original Aadhaar + PPO + photo and submit a PPO-Aadhaar seeding request. Linkage takes 7-10 days.
• EPS-95 pensioners can also seed via the EPFO Member Portal (https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in).

Match your situation to the easiest option:

+----------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Situation                  | Recommended method                         |
+----------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Smartphone + good lighting | Face Authentication (Step 3)               |
| Working fingerprints +     | Biometric at bank / CSC (Step 4)           |
|   nearby branch            |                                            |
| Bedridden / 80+            | IPPB doorstep — postman comes home (Step 5)|
| Already does video-KYC     | Video DLC at PSU bank app (Step 6)         |
|   with bank                |                                            |
| All digital options failed | Physical Form-A at bank (Step 7)           |
+----------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

Recommended for ~85% of pensioners with a smartphone.

• On Android: install AadhaarFaceRD (publisher: UIDAI) AND Jeevan Pramaan (publisher: NIC, Govt of India) from Play Store. Both are free.
• On iOS (since Sep 2024): install Jeevan Pramaan iOS — built-in face module, no separate AadhaarFaceRD needed.
• Open Jeevan Pramaan → “Generate Life Certificate” → enter Aadhaar + mobile + email → OTP from UIDAI.
• Enter PPO number, bank account, name of disbursing agency.
• Hold phone at arm's length, good light, blink twice when prompted. Liveness check + face match in 3-5 seconds.
• On success: Pramaan ID (12 digits) + PDF DLC sent on SMS + email.

Common gotcha: if you're wearing glasses with thick frames or strong reflection, the liveness step can fail. Take glasses off briefly; blink slowly.

The traditional method for those without smartphones.

• Locate your nearest centre on https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in → “Locate a Centre” → enter PIN code.
• Centres include all PSU + private + RRB bank branches (since 2017 mandate), all CSCs (Common Service Centres), all Head Post Offices, and select Pension Adalats (camp mode).
• Carry: original Aadhaar + PPO + bank passbook + active mobile (linked to Aadhaar).
• Operator scans your fingerprint (or iris on STQC-certified scanners). DLC generated on the spot. Pramaan ID printed/SMS'd.
• Cost: free at bank; ₹30 at most CSCs (regulated).

Launched in 2020, expanded post-Covid; now available across all 1.55 lakh post offices.

• Call 155299 (IPPB toll-free) OR book online at https://ippbonline.com → “Service Request” → “DLC at Doorstep”.
• Fill name, PPO, bank, address, Aadhaar.
• Charge: ₹70 + GST (≈ ₹83) per visit, payable in cash to the postman.
• The postman (with biometric device) visits your home within 3-5 working days, captures your fingerprint, generates the DLC on the spot, and gives you a printed acknowledgement.
• No need to be an IPPB customer — service is for all pensioners of any bank.

Live since November 2024 at SBI, BoB, PNB, Canara, Union Bank, BoI.

• Open your bank's mobile app → “Pensioner Services” → “Video DLC” → schedule slot.
• On the call, an officer asks 3-5 verification questions (PPO, last pension credit, mother's maiden name) and visually confirms you on video.
• DLC generated; Pramaan ID sent on SMS.
• No biometric, no app install — just your bank's existing mobile app.

If all digital methods fail or are inaccessible:

• Visit the disbursing branch in person. Form-A is given at the counter (also downloadable from CPAO website).
• Submit with original Aadhaar + PPO + bank passbook. Bank officer signs as witness; you sign in front of him.
• Caveat: since 2017, Form-A is only accepted when biometric and face fail. Some banks insist you first try the biometric route.

• Visit https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in → “Download DLC”.
• Enter Pramaan ID OR (Aadhaar + PPO).
• PDF downloads — keep a copy on your phone, email, and one printout in a file.
• Confirm with your bank's pension cell within 5-7 days that DLC is received and accepted. Most banks send a confirmation SMS — if not, call the cell.

+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Method                        | Cost / deadline                         |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Face Authentication (mobile)  | FREE. Do it 1-30 November.              |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Biometric at bank             | FREE. Do it 1-30 November.              |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Biometric at CSC              | ₹30 (regulated cap). Same window.       |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| IPPB doorstep (postman)       | ₹70 + GST. Book by 25 November to allow |
|                               | postman visit window.                   |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Video DLC at PSU bank         | FREE. Same November window.             |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Form-A at bank (physical)     | FREE. Last resort.                      |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Special early window for 80+  | 1 October each year (since 2020).       |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Pension paused from           | 1 December (if no DLC by 30 November)   |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Pension restarted             | 3-7 working days after DLC submission.  |
| (no interest for gap)         |                                         |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| RTI to CPAO PIO for held-up   | ₹10 IPO. BPL = free.                    |
| pension                       |                                         |
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+

• Aadhaar not seeded with PPO / bank account. Digital DLC will fail at “PPO authentication” step. Fix: visit bank, submit seeding form.
• Fingerprint not captured (common for elderly with worn fingerprints, manual labourers, after illness). Fix: switch to Face Authentication or IPPB doorstep (postman device tries 3 fingers + iris).
• Mobile not linked to Aadhaar — OTP fails. Fix: visit Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update mobile (₹50 fee).
• PPO number mismatch — typo in bank record vs CPAO record. Fix: bank pension cell raises a correction request to CPAO; takes 2-4 weeks.
• DLC submitted but pension still paused — bank pension cell didn't push the DLC to PDA. Fix: SMS to bank manager + escalate to CPGRAMS.
• Wrong “disbursing agency” selected in the app (e.g., chose CPAO when actually a state pensioner). Fix: regenerate DLC with correct agency.
• Old PPO number (legacy 5-digit) when CPAO has migrated to 12-digit. Fix: get new PPO number from bank's pension cell first.
• Missing 80+ early-window benefit — those over 80 don't realise they can file from 1 October and avoid the November rush.

• Every bank branch handling pensions has a dedicated pension officer. Ask for them by designation.
• Carry your Pramaan ID screenshot + PPO + bank passbook. Most issues resolved on the spot.

• CPAO toll-free: 1800-11-7788 (Mon-Fri, 9:30 am – 6 pm)
• Email: cgrams-cpao@nic.in
• CPENGRAMS portal: https://cpengrams.nic.in — dedicated grievance system for central government pensioners. 30-day SLA.
• For state pensioners, use the equivalent state portal (Maharashtra: https://mahakosh.maharashtra.gov.in; Karnataka: https://k2.karnataka.gov.in/welcome.aspx; etc.).

• https://pgportal.gov.in → Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions → Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare.
• Higher visibility — gets routed to a Joint Secretary level. Use when CPENGRAMS reply is unsatisfactory or absent.

• The Department of Pension organises All India Pension Adalat annually (usually February-March) — file a representation; case decided in 1 day.
• State pensioners: state-level adalats run by Treasury / Finance Departments.

CPAO, CGA (Controller General of Accounts), Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare, EPFO, state treasuries, IPPB and disbursing banks are all public authorities under §2(h) of the RTI Act 2005.

RTI helps here when:

• Your pension has been paused for > 30 days after DLC submission, with no clear reason — RTI to PIO CPAO (or PIO state treasury) gets the file noting + reason in writing.
• Your DLC was submitted but the bank claims “not received” — RTI to PIO at the disbursing bank for the pension-cell DLC register for November.
• Family pension (after a deceased pensioner) is delayed — RTI for status of Form-14 + Form-3 + processing time.
• Pension arrears (DA / dearness relief / 7th CPC arrears) not credited — RTI for the calculation sheet and CPAO disbursement letter.
• PIO addresses:
  1. Central pensioners: PIO, Central Pension Accounting Office, Trikoot-II, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110066.
  2. EPS-95 pensioners: PIO, Regional EPFO Office handling your PPO.
  3. State pensioners: PIO, State Treasury (district/state HQ).
• Fee: ₹10 by IPO; BPL = free.

See: RTI in 12 simple steps and All money & scheme RTI guides.

RTI does NOT help here when:

• Your DLC just went in 2 days ago — wait the 7-day SLA before filing RTI.
• You disagree with how your basic pension is calculated — that needs a representation under Pension Rules + appeal to CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal); RTI cannot revise pension.
• You want to change the bank account for pension credit — submit Form-A for change of branch / bank to your old branch; RTI is not the route.
• You want a medical opinion on your fitness for biometric (e.g., to get exemption) — that needs a Government Medical Board certificate, not RTI.
• Pension hike under any future Pay Commission is a policy matter — RTI cannot accelerate it.

Q. I missed the November 2025 deadline. My pension stopped. What now?
Submit your DLC immediately by any method above. The bank releases held pension in 3-7 working days from acceptance. No interest is paid for the gap (per Rule 38). For repeated lapses, the disbursing authority may insist on Form-A in person.

Q. Can I submit DLC from outside India (NRI pensioner)?
Yes — at the Indian Embassy / High Commission: most missions have a Jeevan Pramaan biometric device. Contact the Consular section. Alternatively, submit a Life Certificate signed before a notary public + Indian Embassy attestation posted to your bank — older method but still accepted.

Q. My fingerprint never works. Is there a permanent solution?
Switch to Face Authentication — works for 99% of cases including elderly with worn fingerprints. If even Face Auth fails (very rare due to severe facial injury / scarring), file a representation with the bank for biometric exemption certificate (issued by district CMO); thereafter Form-A submission is allowed.

Q. I am bedridden. Can family submit DLC on my behalf?
No — DLC is biometric (fingerprint / face) and cannot be delegated. Use the IPPB doorstep service (₹70) — postman comes home. If even that fails (you can't blink / move face), get a medical certificate of bedridden status; bank's pension officer is empowered to visit in person and conduct DLC on a portable device.

Q. Is there a fee for DLC at bank or post office?
Banks: free. CSCs: capped at ₹30. IPPB doorstep: ₹70 + GST. Face Authentication on phone: free. Anyone charging more is overcharging — complain on CPGRAMS.

Q. EPS-95 pension is small. Is DLC still mandatory?
Yes — for all pensions regardless of amount. EPFO has its own DLC interface integrated with Jeevan Pramaan; same Pramaan ID flows to EPFO automatically.

Q. Can I submit DLC before October?
Generally no — the disbursing authority's window opens 1 October (for 80+) and 1 November (for all others). DLC submitted before 1 October is rejected by the system as “premature”.

Q. How do I know my DLC has been accepted (not just submitted)?
Two signals: (1) SMS from your bank's pension cell within 5-7 days saying “DLC accepted, pension will continue”; (2) December pension credited on time. If December pension is missing on the usual date, follow up immediately — escalate to CPAO toll-free.

• Senior citizen card — eligibility, application, benefits
• Ayushman Vay Vandana for 70+ — full guide
• Ayushman Bharat ABHA card — full 2026 guide
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• All money & schemes RTI guides

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. Pension rules and Jeevan Pramaan workflows are revised by DoPPW periodically — verify on jeevanpramaan.gov.in or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot an outdated step.