Guide
Life certificate for pensioners: how your parents can submit it on time
When pensioners in India must submit their annual life certificate, the ways to do it from home or the bank, and what NRI children can arrange.
Updated 30 October 2026
Most pensioners must submit a life certificate every November, and those aged 80 and above can do it from 1 October. It can be given digitally through Jeevan Pramaan with a face scan on a phone or a fingerprint device, through doorstep banking where the bank offers it, or in person at the bank. If it isn't submitted, the pension can be held back until it is.
Who needs to submit it
Central and state government pensioners, defence and family pensioners, and many others whose pension is paid through a bank or treasury. Some employers and pension funds have their own rules, so check with the office that pays the pension.
Ways to submit
- Face scan at home, using the Jeevan Pramaan face app on an Android phone
- Fingerprint or iris device at a Jeevan Pramaan centre or a bank
- Doorstep banking, where the pension bank offers it
- In person at the bank branch that pays the pension
What your parent needs
- Pension payment order (PPO) number
- Aadhaar number and the Aadhaar-linked mobile
- Pension bank account details
- Name of the pension-paying office
How you can help from abroad
Put a reminder in your calendar for the start of November, or early October if your parent is 80 or older. Check that the Aadhaar-linked mobile still works. If your parent struggles with the app, arrange for someone to help at home or take them to the bank, and ask for the confirmation message as proof.
If you need help
SafeNRI reminds you before the deadline, helps your parent give the certificate at home or at the bank, and confirms it was accepted. See Pensioner life certificate.