The government will prioritise Face Authentication Technology in the upcoming Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign, scheduled to run across 800 cities and districts in India from 1 to 30 November 2024.
The initiative conducted by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) aims to simplify the life certificate submission process for pensioners, with a focus on enhancing accessibility and efficiency, particularly for the elderly and those in remote areas, said a statement.
According to a senior officials, pensioners must submit their Life Certificates every November to continue receiving their pensions. Traditionally, this process has required physical verification, often posing difficulties for older individuals or those with limited mobility.
“The government’s focus on expanding digital options like face authentication seeks to mitigate these challenges by enabling pensioners to verify their identity using smartphone technology, making the process more streamlined,” the official said.
Focus on Face Authentication Technology
Face Authentication Technology allows pensioners to submit their Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) through facial recognition, which serves as an alternative to traditional fingerprint scanning methods that may not work well for older pensioners due to changes in fingerprint patterns.
The DoPPW said it is working closely with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to provide technical support, with the aim of making the technology accessible and functional for elderly users.
The government plans to implement this technology at scale, with officials citing its potential to reduce the need for physical visits to banks or government offices, thus improving the efficiency of the verification process.
This year the DLC campaign will involve several stakeholders, including Pension Disbursing Banks, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), and registered Pensioners’ Welfare Associations. These entities will collaborate to expand the use of face authentication across 800 cities and districts nationwide.
The DoPPW said it has mapped out 1,900 camp locations and identified 1,000 nodal officers to coordinate the operations effectively.
In the previous DLC campaign held in November 2023, face authentication was used to generate 25.41 lakh DLCs, reflecting a growing adoption of the technology. This year, the government aims to increase these numbers by widening the reach and availability of the technology. Preparations include training sessions for nodal officers and stakeholder coordination meetings to ensure smooth implementation.
The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is expected to play a crucial role in the campaign by conducting camps in 785 districts through its network of 1.8 lakh postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks.
Equipped with mobile devices capable of performing face authentication, these personnel will provide doorstep DLC services, making it easier for pensioners to submit their life certificates digitally.
In addition, 19 Pension Disbursing Banks will set up camps in 150 cities at over 750 locations, providing pensioners with the necessary digital tools. Banks will also conduct home and hospital visits for aged, disabled, or sick pensioners, ensuring they have the support needed to submit their certificates digitally without travelling.
The campaign will also be supported by 57 Pensioners’ Welfare Associations, which are registered with the DoPPW. According to the department, these associations will help mobilise pensioners, particularly those in remote and rural areas, to participate in the camps organised by IPPB and the banks.
According to officials, the aim is to ensure that all pensioners, including those in remote corners of the country, can access digital methods for life certificate submission.
DoPPW said that officials from MeitY and UIDAI have confirmed that they will provide technical support throughout the campaign to ensure the face authentication system functions effectively.
Dedicated Digital Life Certificate portal has been developed
A dedicated DLC portal has been developed to map out the campaign’s 800 cities and districts, providing information on camp locations and nodal officers. This digital infrastructure reflects a broader, long-term strategy to integrate face authentication into regular government services, ensuring that digital solutions are accessible to all demographics.
The government aims to reach pensioners across rural and urban regions, focusing particularly on those in remote and underserved areas who may have limited access to physical banking facilities.
The 3rd Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate campaign will run from 1 to 30 November 2024, and the government will monitor its progress to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology. Officials said that they are optimistic that the increased use of face authentication will enhance efficiency and accessibility for millions of pensioners throughout the country.
