The Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0, launched by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, Government of India, is bringing major relief to pensioners across Uttarakhand, particularly in Pauri Garhwal, where multiple camps are being held to facilitate the submission of digital life certificates.
Our correspondent reports that the nationwide campaign, which began on November 1 and will continue until November 30, aims to ensure that all government pensioners can submit their Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) through simplified and technology-driven means, including face authentication.
In Pauri, the Post Payments Bank Head Post Office and the State Bank of India’s branches at Pauri, Srinagar Garhwal, Base Hospital, HNB Srinagar, Satpuli, and Kotdwar hosted special DLC camps where hundreds of pensioners availed themselves of the facility. The initiative has been designed to reach even the remotest beneficiaries through doorstep and on-site assistance.
The campaign is part of a larger nationwide effort covering over 2,000 cities and towns, following a saturation-based approach to maximise coverage. The Aadhaar-based Face Authentication method, introduced in 2021, has significantly eased the process by allowing pensioners to use smartphones to submit their certificates without visiting a bank or office.
Our correspondent adds that the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is providing doorstep DLC services for elderly and differently-abled pensioners, ensuring accessibility and inclusion. Meanwhile, banks, pensioners’ associations, and regional offices are conducting awareness camps to educate pensioners on using digital tools effectively.
During the ongoing campaign, Lalta Prasad Pal, Consultant at the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, Government of India, visited camps held at various locations in Pauri, Srinagar Garhwal, Base Hospital, HNB Srinagar, Satpuli, and Kotdwar on November 6. He interacted with pensioners, reviewed the process, and encouraged the use of digital services for greater convenience.
He also discussed with IPPB and SBI officials ways to enhance the outreach of the campaign and ensure that every pensioner in the region could access the digital life certificate facility.
According to the department’s data, over 1.62 crore Digital Life Certificates were generated during the DLC 3.0 campaign in 2024, of which nearly 50 lakh were created through face authentication. This year, with combined efforts from banks, IPPB, UIDAI, MeitY, CGDA, Railways, and pensioners’ welfare associations, the government has set an ambitious target of 2 crore certificates.
The campaign highlights the government’s push towards Digital India, aiming to empower senior citizens by using technology to simplify administrative processes. The face authentication feature has emerged as a game-changer, reducing the need for physical visits, especially for aged and differently-abled pensioners.
Officials said that such digital initiatives are promoting transparency and efficiency in the pension system while making service delivery more citizen-friendly. Pensioners expressed satisfaction with the ease and speed of the process, calling it a “digital revolution for retirees.”
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare reiterated its commitment to improving the lives of pensioners through technology-based solutions. It emphasised that the campaign is part of a broader vision to achieve paperless, transparent, and accessible governance across all sectors.
With increasing participation from banks, government agencies, and digital platforms, the Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0 is emerging as one of India’s most inclusive and impactful welfare initiatives for the elderly.
