It has been made mandatory since October 1 that pensioners must submit their annual life certificates or Jeevan Pramaan Patra to continue receiving their pensions. But those receiving a pension from the government don’t have to go through the hassle of visiting banks physically to submit their documents.
To submit the annual life certificates, pensioners have the option of either physically visiting the bank or avail the service at their doorstep. The pensioners who live abroad can submit the life certificates online with ease as well. Also, people aged 80 years or above can submit their annual life certificate starting from October 1 to November 30.
The circular released by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) says that a pensioner living outside India needs to follow some guidelines for submitting the Jeevan Pramaan Patra.
Guidelines for NRI Pensioners
- If a pensioner or family pensioner is living overseas and is drawing their pension through any bank included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1943, the Jeevan Pramaan Patra can be signed by an officer of the Bank. They can avail of an exemption if a Life Certificate signed by the below-mentioned officer of the bank is submitted.
- You are exempted from personal appearance if the pensioner or family pensioner is not living in India and his life certificate is signed by a Magistrate, a Notary, a Banker, or a Diplomatic Representative of India.
- A Digital Life Certificate can also be provided online through Aadhaar based biometric authentication system.
- If you are unable to visit India, the pension can be allowed based on a certificate issued by a sanctioned official of the Indian Embassy/High Commission of India or Consul of Indian Consulate in the country where the pensioner lives. The certificate will be issued based on the photographs pasted in the PPO or picture on the Passport or any other such document.
- If you are unable to visit the Embassy of India/Consulate, you can submit the necessary documents by post to the Embassy or Consulate. A medical certificate should be included in this to present as proof that your family was unable to show up in person.
