New Delhi — Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today launched the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 5, with nearly 40 lakh Digital Life Certificates generated in its first five days against approximately 25 lakh during the corresponding period last year, registering a 60 per cent increase.
Key Developments & Strategic Framework
Face authentication adoption has surged from 61 per cent to nearly 80 per cent during the same period, reflecting growing confidence among pensioners in technology-enabled pension services. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the overwhelming response demonstrates how digital innovation is transforming pensioners’ ease of living while making governance more accessible, convenient and dignified for elderly citizens.
Addressing a press conference at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh said the campaign has progressively evolved into a nationwide movement, bringing together government departments, pension disbursing banks, pensioners’ associations and families to facilitate seamless pension-related services.
The event was attended by Secretary, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma; Chairman and CEO, Railway Board, Shri Satish Kumar; Secretary, Department of Posts, Shri Subrat Das; Controller General of Defence Accounts, Ms. Alka Nangia Arora; Controller General of Communication Accounts, Ms. Vandana Gupta; CEO, UIDAI, Shri Saurabh Vijay; and Additional Director General, PIB, Shri Nanda Kishore Reddy, among other senior officials.
Operational Benchmarks & Key Figures
Comprehensive program documentation and official disclosures outline key operational figures and quantitative benchmarks:
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 40 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 25 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 70 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 50 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 60 lakh under the active deployment framework.
Official Perspectives & Key Statements
In official remarks concerning the development, Union Minister of State highlighted the imperative of rigorous milestone tracking, cross-agency alignment, and steadfast adherence to established operational timelines.
Contextual Background & Implementation Scope
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the fundamental objective of the campaign is to ensure ease of living for elderly citizens, adding that India’s changing demographic and socio-economic landscape makes pensioners an increasingly important segment of society. The number of central government pensioners has now reached nearly 70 lakh against approximately 50 lakh working employees, reversing the earlier situation when the number of working employees was around 55–60 lakh and pensioners approximately 50 lakh.
In terms of implementation context, the Minister said increasing life expectancy and improved health conditions have created a new opportunity to harness the experience, expertise and potential of senior citizens for nation-building. Many employees retire at the age of 60 when they are still at the prime of their health, experience and professional capabilities.
In the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat, Dr. Jitendra Singh said elderly citizens must be actively engaged in nation-building by ensuring their comfort, health and financial security, enabling them to contribute their potential to constructive national endeavours. He emphasised the need to build a healthy synergy between the younger and older generations as partners in India’s development journey.
Looking Forward: Strategic Roadmap
Administrative bodies and departmental task forces will maintain active oversight across designated implementation cycles, ensuring scheduled deliverables translate into tangible public outcomes.
