To address the practical difficulties faced by senior citizens and elderly pensioners, especially pensioners above 80 years of age, including those in the remotest parts of the country, Nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaigns have been held from 1st to 30th November every year, from 2022 onwards in which DLC camps are held at multiple locations in identified cities/towns. To address the issue of difficulty in submission of DLCs through biometric mechanisms for elderly pensioners, the Government of India has launched the Face Authentication Technique which requires only a smartphone for generation of DLCs. All Pension Disbursing Banks have been directed to monitor non-submission of DLC and to make arrangements to ensure DLC submission. The Department also monitors the Banks for ensuring submission of DLCs. Services of India Post and Payments Bank, Post Offices and Gramin Dak Sevaks are also utilized to help senior citizens especially above 80 years of age to submit their DLCs. Pensioners above 80 years can submit their DLCs in the month of October also. Mega Camps are held at places having large concentration of pensioners. During the DLC campaigns, provision is made for doorstep service to aged/ sick/ incapacitated/ Divyang pensioners also.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

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NKR/SR/AV