Every pensioner of the central government, state governments, banks and most public sector bodies has to prove once a year that they are alive, so that the pension keeps coming. This is the annual life certificate, or Jeevan Pramaan. For 2026, the last date is 30 November 2026.
Who submits, and when
| Pensioner | Window for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Aged 80 and above (super senior) | 1 October to 30 November 2026 |
| Below 80 | 1 November to 30 November 2026 |
| EPS pensioners (EPFO) | Any time of the year; the certificate is valid for one year from the date it is submitted |
Re-employed pensioners and family pensioners who have remarried may have to give a physical certificate at the bank instead of a digital one. Check with your pension-paying branch.
Four ways to submit the life certificate
- From home, with face authentication. Install the AadhaarFaceRD and Jeevan Pramaan apps on an Android phone. Enter Aadhaar, mobile number and pension details such as the PPO number, then do a face scan. On success you get a Pramaan ID by SMS. No fingerprint device is needed.
- At the bank branch. The branch that pays your pension can record the certificate with a fingerprint or iris scan, or take a signed physical form.
- Doorstep service. India Post Payments Bank and many banks send someone home for a fee. This is the easiest option for bedridden or very elderly pensioners.
- At a Common Service Centre (CSC) or an EPFO office, using biometric authentication.
Before you start, keep these ready
- Aadhaar number, and the mobile number linked to it, which receives the OTP.
- PPO (Pension Payment Order) number.
- Pension account number and bank name.
- Name of the pension sanctioning and disbursing authority, which you can find in the PPO.
How to check that it was accepted
Generating a Pramaan ID only means the certificate was created. The bank still has to accept it. Download the certificate from the Jeevan Pramaan website using the Pramaan ID, and ask the branch or check the bank's pension page to confirm it has been recorded. Do this in the third week of November, so that there is time to fix a rejection before 30 November.
Common problems and fixes
- Face scan keeps failing. Use good daylight, remove spectacles, and hold the phone at eye level. If it still fails, use the bank's fingerprint device.
- OTP not received. The mobile number linked to Aadhaar may be old. Update it at an Aadhaar centre first.
- Wrong PPO or bank details. The certificate is rejected. Copy the details exactly as printed in the PPO.
A tax point many pensioners miss
Pension is taxable as salary, and the bank deducts TDS on it. Pensioners in the new tax regime get a standard deduction of ₹75,000, and resident individuals with taxable income up to ₹12 lakh pay no tax under the new regime. If TDS is being deducted although your income is below the limit, tell the bank which regime you want and give your investment details, so that TDS for the rest of the year is correct.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to submit the life certificate in 2026?
30 November 2026. Pensioners aged 80 and above could submit from 1 October, and others from 1 November.
What happens if I miss the life certificate deadline?
There is no penalty, but the pension can be stopped from December until the certificate is submitted. Once it is recorded, the pending pension is paid with arrears.
Can I submit the life certificate from home?
Yes. Use the Jeevan Pramaan app with face authentication on an Android phone, or book a doorstep service from India Post Payments Bank or your bank.
Do EPS pensioners have to submit in November?
No. EPFO lets EPS pensioners submit the life certificate at any time of the year, and it stays valid for one year from the date of submission.
How Vitt-Marg helps
We help retired clients and their families with pension-related tax work: Form 12BB-type declarations for TDS on pension, interest and senior citizen deductions, and filing the income-tax return every year. If a parent's pension has stopped or TDS is being cut wrongly, send us the details.
General information, current as of 11 November 2026, not advice for a specific case. Due dates and fees change with MCA and CBDT notifications. Check with us before acting on it.