Archive · 7 Sep 2026
NRIs Can Submit Life Certificates Abroad Without Returning to India
A life certificate is proof that a pensioner is still alive.
Pensioners usually need to submit it every 12 months so their pension continues.
People who move to another country do not automatically lose their pension.
They may ask a designated bank officer to handle the certificate.
They may also use the online Jeevan Pramaan service if they have the required Aadhaar and mobile-number access.
An Indian embassy or consulate can issue the certificate in some cases.
An authorized agent, such as a notary, banker or magistrate, may also help.
If the certificate expires without being renewed, pension payments may stop from the next payment cycle.
More than 85 lakh Employees’ Pension Scheme beneficiaries rely on monthly pension payments for financial security.
Pensioners must submit a Life Certificate, or Jeevan Pramaan, every 12 months to keep payments active.
NRIs may submit the certificate through a designated bank officer if their pension is paid by an eligible bank.
Digital Jeevan Pramaan face authentication is available to pensioners with Aadhaar, an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and registered pension details.
Indian embassies, consulates and authorized agents can help issue or authenticate certificates for pensioners unable to use other routes.
- Who
- NRI pensioners covered by the Employees’ Pension Scheme, particularly those receiving pension through an Indian bank or other pension-disbursing agency.
- What
- They can submit or authenticate their annual Life Certificate through a bank officer, digital Jeevan Pramaan, an Indian embassy or consulate, or an authorized agent.
- When
- The certificate must be submitted every 12 months and remains valid for 12 months from its submission date.
- Where
- The process can be completed through an eligible bank, the digital Jeevan Pramaan system, an Indian embassy or consulate, or an authorized agent abroad.
- Why
- The certificate proves that the pensioner is alive and helps prevent interruption of pension payments.
- Pension coverage
- More than 85 lakh people are covered under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95).
- Certificate name
- Life Certificate, also known as Jeevan Pramaan or Jeevan Pramaan Patra.
- Validity
- The certificate remains valid for 12 months from the date of submission.
- Bank route
- A pensioner may use a designated officer of a bank covered under the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
- Digital requirements
- Digital submission requires a valid Aadhaar number, an active Aadhaar-linked mobile number and pension-related details.
- Embassy route
- An Indian embassy or consulate may verify the pensioner using documents including the Pension Payment Order and a passport photograph.
- Non-submission
- Pension payments may stop from the next payment cycle after the certificate’s validity expires.