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NEW DELHI: In a significant move to simplify pension services for India’s elderly, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Launched the “Digital Life Certificate” (DLC 3.0) campaign, a pioneering initiative aimed at making pension verification more accessible and efficient.
The nationwide campaign leverages advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition, to authenticate pensioners’ identities, enabling them to complete essential documentation without leaving their homes.
During the launch, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of the DLC 3.0 initiative, which enables India’s senior citizens to maintain their pension benefits with greater ease.
“This government’s priority is to reach every citizen, and DLC 3.0 reflects that vision by ensuring that every pensioner, regardless of location or physical ability, can access their rights conveniently,” he stated. The campaign, backed by the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), uses a vast network of postmen and Gramin Dak Sewaks trained to offer biometric-based authentication, allowing pensioners to complete their verification at their doorstep.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also discussed the larger context behind this initiative, tracing its roots to the government’s broader digital outreach efforts under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He shared stories of the challenges faced by pensioners in rural areas and how technology can alleviate these struggles.
“Today, a senior citizen can authenticate their identity in seconds using facial recognition, sending real-time verification to their bank-a stark contrast to the tedious processes of the past,” he remarked, underscoring the government’s commitment to harnessing technology for citizen welfare.
In the latest iteration of the Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions has adopted a comprehensive strategy aimed at reaching even the remotest regions of India. For the DLC 3.0 campaign, the department has mapped 800 districts across the country, involving 1,900 camp locations and the support of 1,000 nodal officers.
This initiative is further strengthened through partnerships with 19 pension-disbursing banks, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), Pensioners’ Welfare Associations, and technical support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and UIDAI.
As a part of this outreach, banks and IPPB representatives will be visiting the homes and hospitals of aged and disabled pensioners, ensuring that these individuals can access DLC services without any physical strain.
The involvement of 57 Pensioners’ Welfare Associations in organizing camps and mobilizing pensioners underscores the government’s dedication to reaching every pensioner, making this one of the largest digital outreach initiatives dedicated to senior citizens.
The campaign also focuses on advancing the use of Face Authentication Technology, a method specifically designed for elderly pensioners, allowing them to generate life certificates effortlessly using a smartphone.
To maximize engagement and awareness, the department has rolled out a saturation approach with extensive media support from Doordarshan, All India Radio, and PIB, and digital outreach through SMS, social media, and short films.
This year’s ambitious goal is to generate 2 crore DLCs, with an emphasis on Face Authentication, underscoring the government’s commitment to streamlining processes for senior citizens and enhancing their quality of life through digital innovation.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Digital Life Certificate 3.0 campaign aligns with the government’s vision for a more inclusive and efficient welfare system, reducing dependency on physical processes while embracing digital solutions to serve citizens across India. Through initiatives like DLC 3.0, the government reaffirms its pledge to bridge the gap between governance and the everyday needs of the nation’s senior population.
The launch event saw the participation of key dignitaries, including V Srinivas, Secretary, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW); Devika Raghuvanshi, Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA); Sanjay Sharan, Director General of Postal Services; Dhrubajyoti Sengupta, Joint Secretary, DoPPW; and Shalini Kacker, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India.
