GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE)
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2366
(ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026)
BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION FOR ELDERLY PENSIONERS
#2366. SHRI NEERAJ DANGI:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is aware that elderly pensioners are facing persistent difficulties...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE) RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2366 (ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026) BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION FOR ELDERLY PENSIONERS #2366. SHRI NEERAJ DANGI:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is aware that elderly pensioners are facing persistent difficulties with biometric authentication for digital life certificates, particularly due to fingerprint failures;
(b) if so, the manner in which Government is addressing this issue;
(c) whether Government has done any assessment of pensioners who have been unable to obtain digital life certificates, so far; and
(d) whether any special arrangements have been made to address the practical difficulties faced by senior citizens, especially pensioners above 80 years of age, in using this system? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (d): To address the practical difficulties faced by senior citizens and elderly pensioners, especially pensioners above 80 years of age, including those in the remotest parts of the country, Nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaigns have been held from 1st to 30th November every year, from 2022 onwards in which DLC camps are held at multiple locations in identified cities/towns. To address the issue of difficulty in submission of DLCs through biometric mechanisms for elderly pensioners, the Government of India has launched the Face Authentication Technique which requires only a smartphone for generation of DLCs.
All Pension Disbursing Banks have been directed to monitor non-submission of DLC and to make arrangements to ensure DLC submission. The Department also monitors the Banks for ensuring submission of DLCs. Services of India Post and Payments Bank, Post Offices and Gramin Dak Sevaks are also utilized to help senior citizens especially above 80 years of age to submit their DLCs. Pensioners above 80 years can submit their DLCs in the month of October also. Mega Camps are held at places having large concentration of pensioners.
During the DLC campaigns, provision is made for doorstep service to aged/ sick/ incapacitated/ Divyang pensioners also. *****