New Delhi, August 13(HS): In a historic move to digitally empower the nation’s pensioners, the Department of Pension & Pensioner’s Welfare (DoPPW) is rolling out its largest-ever Digital Life Certificate (DLC) drive — a sweeping, month-long nationwide campaign from November 1 to 30, 2025.
Branded as Campaign 4.0, this ambitious initiative will span more than 1,850 districts, cities, and towns with over 2,500 camp locations — nearly tripling its footprint compared to last year. The mission is clear: achieve an unprecedented two crore DLC submissions, using state-of-the-art Face Authentication technology to bring speed, efficiency, and ease to the annual life certificate process essential for uninterrupted pension payments.
From 1.62 Crore to 2 Crore: A Giant Leap
The last DLC Campaign, held in November 2024 across 845 cities, recorded an impressive 1.62 crore submissions. This year, the DoPPW is adopting a saturation model — ensuring outreach to every possible pensioner, including those in the most remote corners of India.
A Nationwide Collaborative Machinery
The campaign is a mammoth collaborative effort involving Pension Disbursing Banks, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), UIDAI, EPFO, Railways, Department of Posts, Ministry of Defence (CGDA), Department of Telecommunications, MeitY, and 57 Pensioners’ Welfare Associations.
IPPB will drive the campaign at 1,600 district and sub-divisional post offices through its 1.8 lakh-strong network of postmen and Gramin Dak Sewaks, even offering doorstep DLC services.
19 major banks, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, and Indian Bank, will host dedicated camps in 315 cities across more than 900 locations.
State leaders: Uttar Pradesh (170 cities), Madhya Pradesh (127), Bihar (114), Odisha (110), and Maharashtra (106) will anchor the drive.
Technology Meets Service
By embracing face authentication, the campaign eliminates the hassle of physical presence at distant pension offices, making life easier for senior citizens, especially those with mobility issues. The technology ensures authentication is as quick as a blink, without the need for biometric devices or elaborate paperwork.
The Road Ahead
In the words of V. Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW, this is more than just a compliance exercise — “It is a landmark in the nation’s journey towards digital inclusion, financial security, and dignified ageing for our senior citizens.”
With its scale, technological edge, and deep-rooted community penetration, DLC Campaign 4.0 promises to set a new benchmark in governance — ensuring every pensioner, from bustling metros to the farthest Himalayan hamlet, stays connected to their rightful benefits with dignity and ease.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
