Pensioners in India, especially retired government employees, must submit a Life Certificate every year to continue receiving their pensions. For those aged 80 and above, a special submission window opens from October 1st, allowing them extra time to submit their Digital Life Certificate (DLC), which is valid until November 30th of the next year. Failure to submit this certificate on time will result in a halt of pension payments starting December.
The introduction of the Jeevan Pramaan system has made the process of submitting life certificates much easier. It allows pensioners to generate their certificate digitally from home using biometric data linked to their Aadhaar number. However, many pensioners face issues while generating their DLC due to certain errors or technical problems. Let’s explore these common reasons and the solutions to ensure smooth submission of your life certificate.
Common Issues That Prevent Digital Life Certificate Generation
Here are some of the most frequent reasons why a Digital Life Certificate might not be generated:
- Aadhaar Card Locked: If your Aadhaar card is locked, it will prevent the generation of the DLC. Ensure your Aadhaar is unlocked and accessible.
- Biometric Lock: If biometric data is locked, it will not work for verification. You can check the status of biometric lock/unlock through the UIDAI website or mobile app and unlock it if needed.
- Lighting Conditions: Poor lighting can interfere with proper biometric capture. Ensure you are in a well-lit room when generating the DLC.
- Incorrect Camera Position: While scanning your face, ensure the camera captures it from the front. Avoid any side angles, and there should be no other person in the frame.
- Blinking or Moving Face During Scanning: While scanning your face for the biometric process, avoid blinking or moving. Keep your face still and maintain the correct distance from the camera.
- Background Issues: Ensure the background is plain and not multi-colored during the scanning process. Uneven backgrounds can confuse the system, leading to rejection.
- Mismatch in Aadhaar Details: If there is a mismatch between your Aadhaar card photo and your current appearance (e.g., wearing or not wearing glasses), it might cause issues. Ensure your Aadhaar details are updated if your appearance has changed significantly.
- Internet Connectivity Problems: Poor or weak internet connectivity can prevent the certificate from being generated. Ensure you have a stable and strong internet connection during the process.
- Phone Compatibility Issues: Using an Android smartphone with an outdated version (below version 9), a camera resolution of less than 13 MP, or less than 500 MB of free storage space can cause problems. Update your phone or use a compatible device for better results.
How to Fix These Problems and Successfully Generate a DLC
Here are some steps to ensure that your Digital Life Certificate is generated without issues:
- Unlock Your Aadhaar and Biometrics: Before starting the DLC generation, check if your Aadhaar and biometrics are unlocked. You can easily do this through the UIDAI portal or mAadhaar app.
- Check Camera Settings: Ensure you are using a phone or device with a camera resolution of at least 13 MP and maintain proper lighting while scanning.
- Update Your Aadhaar Details: If your appearance has changed since the Aadhaar photo was taken (e.g., now wearing glasses), update your Aadhaar details to avoid rejection.
- Ensure Good Internet Connectivity: A strong, stable internet connection is essential. Make sure you are connected to a reliable network while generating the certificate.
- Clear Storage on Your Device: Ensure your phone has at least 500 MB of free space before starting the process.
If problems persist, you can still submit your life certificate in person at your bank branch or pension disbursing authority.
