STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: In a significant move to simplify pension services for India’s elderly, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister launched the “Digital Life Certificate” (DLC 3.0) campaign, a pioneering initiative aimed at making pension verification more accessible and efficient. The nationwide campaign leverages advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition, to authenticate pensioners’ identities, enabling them to complete essential documentation without leaving their homes.
During the launch, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of the DLC 3.0 initiative, which enables India’s senior citizens to maintain their pension benefits with greater ease. “This government’s priority is to reach every citizen, and DLC 3.0 reflects that vision by ensuring that every pensioner, regardless of location or physical ability, can access their rights conveniently,” he stated. The campaign, backed by the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), uses a vast network of postmen and Gramin Dak Sewaks trained to offer biometric-based authentication, allowing pensioners to complete their verification at their doorstep.
Dr. Jitendra also discussed the larger context behind this initiative, tracing its roots to the government’s broader digital outreach efforts under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He shared stories of the challenges faced by pensioners in rural areas and how technology can alleviate these struggles. “Today, a senior citizen can authenticate their identity in seconds using facial recognition, sending real-time verification to their bank-a stark contrast to the tedious processes of the past,” he remarked, underscoring the government’s commitment to harnessing technology for citizen welfare.
The involvement of 57 Pensioners’ Welfare Associations in organizing camps and mobilizing pensioners underscores the government’s dedication to reaching every pensioner, making this one of the largest digital outreach initiatives dedicated to senior citizens.
The campaign also focuses on advancing the use of Face Authentication Technology, a method specifically designed for elderly pensioners, allowing them to generate life certificates effortlessly using a smartphone.
To maximize engagement and awareness, the department has rolled out a saturation approach with extensive media support from Doordarshan, All India Radio, and PIB, and digital outreach through SMS, social media, and short films.
This year’s ambitious goal is to generate 2 crore DLCs, with an emphasis on Face Authentication, underscoring the government’s commitment to streamlining processes for senior citizens and enhancing their quality of life through digital innovation.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Jitendra said that the Digital Life Certificate 3.0 campaign aligns with the government’s vision for a more inclusive and efficient welfare system, reducing dependency on physical processes while embracing digital solutions to serve citizens across India.