New Delhi: The Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 3.0, launched by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, has made significant strides in its mission to simplify the lives of pensioners through digital solutions. The campaign, which runs from 1 to 30 November 2024, is being conducted across 800 cities and towns, with 1,575 camps organised as of 17 November. With active participation from various stakeholders, over 77 lakh DLCs have been generated within the first two weeks of the campaign. Of these, 24 lakh certificates, accounting for 34% of the total, were submitted using face authentication technology, reflecting the campaign's focus on innovative solutions.

The initiative, inspired by the vision of digital empowerment, has brought together pension disbursing banks, government departments, and pensioners' associations to ensure its success. Efforts have been intensified to raise awareness about the DLC process, including the use of banners and posters in bank branches, offices, and ATMs. Banks have deployed dedicated staff equipped with the necessary tools to assist pensioners in submitting their life certificates. For those unable to visit branches due to age or health issues, bank officials have extended support by visiting homes and hospitals.

Pensioners' associations have played a vital role in motivating individuals to participate in the campaign. Officials from the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare have also travelled across the country, offering assistance and monitoring progress closely. This hands-on approach has ensured that even senior citizens above 90 years of age can comfortably generate their DLCs from their homes.

Maharashtra has emerged as the leading state with over 10 lakh DLCs generated, followed by Tamil Nadu and West Bengal with 6 lakh each. Uttar Pradesh has also shown strong participation, crossing the 5 lakh mark. On the institutional front, the Defence Department has contributed 21 lakh DLCs, while the Telecom and Civil Departments generated 3.1 lakh and 3.4 lakh certificates, respectively. Among banks, SBI and PNB have led with over 9 lakh DLCs each, while Canara Bank and Central Bank of India achieved 1 lakh and 57,000 submissions, respectively.

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has made a notable contribution by generating 4.4 lakh DLCs and delivering services directly to the doorsteps of pensioners. The campaign has also seen a remarkable increase in face authentication usage, which has grown 204 times compared to previous efforts. Mega camps in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have brought together stakeholders to further drive this initiative.

The DLC Campaign 3.0 reflects the growing commitment to leveraging digital tools to enhance convenience for pensioners, demonstrating how collaboration among government agencies, banks, and associations can bring meaningful change. With such momentum, the campaign is on track to achieve remarkable success.

BI Bureau