Searches for “life certificate” have spiked this week as millions of pensioners across India rush to complete their annual verification process. The government’s November deadline for submission has driven record digital traffic to the Jeevan Pramaan platform and local bank branches.
The life certificate is a mandatory proof of existence that pensioners must submit annually to continue receiving pensions. While the digital system has made the process easier, glitches and authentication errors continue to frustrate many elderly citizens.
Officials have encouraged pensioners to use Aadhaar-based biometric authentication through the Jeevan Pramaan app, which allows remote verification via smartphones or designated centers. Banks, too, have opened help desks and extended working hours to handle the influx.
This surge reflects India’s ongoing transition toward e-governance. Over 60% of life certificates were filed digitally in 2024, and authorities aim for full digitization by 2026. However, experts caution that rural areas still struggle with connectivity issues and require assisted verification centers.
For pensioners, completing the process before the deadline remains crucial to avoid payment disruptions — a reminder that even in a digital-first India, last-minute rushes remain a national tradition.
