Options for NRIs to submit life certificates from abroad
To ensure pension payments under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) continue uninterrupted, a valid life certificate must be submitted each year. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living outside India, the pension-disbursing system offers practical alternatives that don’t require a trip home. The two main pathways are Video-Based Life Certificate (VBLC) and the digital Jeevan Pramaan life certificate.
Video-based Life Certificate (VBLC)
VBLC is a real-time video verification carried out by the pensioner’s bank or a designated service provider. It is specifically designed for pensioners who cannot travel to India. If you are abroad, start by confirming with your pension-disbursing bank whether they support VBLC and what their exact process is. Then you can schedule a VBLC session. You will typically need to have ready your pension account details and identification documents such as your passport, and any Aadhaar-based ID if available. During the call, you will be asked to confirm your identity on camera, show your face clearly, and present the required documents. Once the verification is completed, the bank forwards the verified information to the pension authority, and the life certificate is recorded for the relevant period.
Jeevan Pramaan digital life certificate
The Jeevan Pramaan Patra is a digital life certificate generated through Aadhaar-based verification. This route usually requires access to a Jeevan Pramaan facility or a bank that can generate and transmit the certificate to the pension authority. For NRIs abroad who do not have easy access to Aadhaar verification or a Jeevan Pramaan facility, this option may be less practical from overseas. In such cases, VBLC is generally the more feasible alternative.
What to prepare and practical tips
- Keep your pensioner number, bank account details, and up-to-date contact information with the pension disbursing authority.
- Note the submission deadlines and ensure the life certificate covers the required period.
- Retain digital copies of identity documents (passport, etc.) in case they are requested by the bank or pension authority.
If you are unsure which route to take, contact your pension-disbursing bank’s helpdesk or the relevant government helpline for guidance.
