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Major Relief for Pensioners as EPFO Waives Off Charges for Digital Life Certificate

In a major move aimed at easing the lives of millions of senior citizens, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced that obtaining a Digital Life Certificate (DLC), also known as Jeevan Pramaan, will now be completely free of cost.

Until now, pensioners had to pay a nominal fee at banks or post offices to generate their life certificate. But with this new decision, EPFO will bear the entire cost, making the process fully free for all pensioners across India.

Partnership with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)

This initiative has been made possible through EPFO’s partnership with the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). With this collaboration, pensioners can now generate their Digital Life Certificate from the comfort of their homes using biometric authentication.

The service aims to eliminate the hassle of visiting banks, post offices, or common service centers (CSCs), particularly benefiting elderly citizens and those living in remote areas.

Simplifying Pension Verification

The Digital Life Certificate (DLC) serves as proof that a pensioner is alive and eligible to continue receiving pension payments. Traditionally, pensioners had to physically appear before officials or visit designated centers to submit this document each year.

Under the new system, once a pensioner completes the biometric verification process from home, they will instantly receive a confirmation SMS from EPFO. This ensures that the pension remains active without any interruption or delay.

Boost to Digital India and Ease of Living Mission

The initiative aligns with the government’s Digital India and Ease of Living missions, which aim to make public services more accessible, transparent, and citizen-friendly.

EPFO officials highlighted that this move will:

• Reduce the physical and financial burden on senior citizens.

• Promote digital inclusion across rural and semi-urban areas.

• Encourage more pensioners to adopt online services for essential documentation.

“This step not only simplifies the process but also reflects the government’s commitment to building a truly digital and inclusive pension system,” an EPFO spokesperson said.

A Boon for Rural Pensioners

Experts have called this update a game-changer for rural pensioners, many of whom face difficulties traveling to banks or government offices to complete annual verification. With the IPPB’s wide rural network, even pensioners in remote villages can now access this facility without leaving their homes.

Moreover, the free-of-cost model removes the financial barrier that previously existed, ensuring that every eligible pensioner can update their status seamlessly.

How to Generate Your Free Digital Life Certificate

To avail of the new facility, pensioners can:

1. Contact their nearest India Post Payments Bank agent or Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS).

2. Complete biometric authentication using a fingerprint or iris scan.

3. Receive instant confirmation through SMS once the certificate is successfully uploaded.

The entire process takes just a few minutes and can be done through a smartphone or IPPB handheld device.

Key Highlights

• No more fees: EPFO will now cover the full cost of generating Digital Life Certificates.

• Home-based service: Pensioners can complete the process without visiting banks or post offices.

• Digital verification: Done through biometric authentication with instant confirmation via SMS.

• Nationwide rollout: Available through India Post Payments Bank’s extensive network.

• Supports Digital India: Strengthens government’s push for digital accessibility and ease of living.

Final Takeaway

EPFO’s decision to make Digital Life Certificate services free and home-deliverable marks a major step in modernizing India’s pension ecosystem. By removing both logistical and financial hurdles, the organization has ensured that senior citizens can manage their pension verification process quickly, securely, and comfortably from home—a true reflection of India’s growing digital transformation.