Jeevan Pramaan face authentication: give your life certificate from a phone, step by step

The direct answer

You don't need a fingerprint scanner or a bank visit. The JeevanPramaan app from the National Informatics Centre uses your phone's camera, and UIDAI's AadhaarFaceRD app does the Aadhaar face match. jeevanpramaan.gov.in lists the requirements: Android 10 or later, or iOS 14 or later, on an un-rooted phone. The app's Play listing says face authentication works in India only. See our JeevanPramaan Face App page and AadhaarFaceRD page.

Who can use it: pensioners whose Pension Sanctioning Authority (PSA) is onboarded on Jeevan Pramaan. The list is under Circulars on jeevanpramaan.gov.in. The Jeevan Pramaan FAQ says re-employed or remarried pensioners can't use the digital certificate and must submit a life certificate the conventional way.

What you need

• The pensioner's Aadhaar number, and a mobile number to receive the OTP.
• Pension details, as the FAQ lists them: PPO number, pension account number, bank details, and the names of the Pension Sanctioning Authority and Pension Disbursing Authority. The FAQ warns that incorrect information can get the certificate rejected.
• NIC's Android user manual also lists: internet, 4 GB or more of RAM, a 5 MP or better camera for face authentication, and at least 500 MB of free storage.

Step 1: install the two apps

1. Install AadhaarFaceRD (UIDAI) from Google Play or the App Store. It has no app icon. UIDAI's listing calls it a "headless" app that other authorised apps open when they need face authentication. You'll find it only under Settings → Apps.
2. Install JeevanPramaan (National Informatics Centre) from Google Play or the App Store.
3. Open JeevanPramaan and tap Allow on the permission pop-ups.

Step 2: operator authentication (one time)

NIC's manual says anyone can be the operator, including the pensioner.

1. On the Device Registration & Operator Identification screen, enter the operator's Aadhaar number, mobile number and email address, then tap Submit. The manual says the operator's mobile number doesn't have to be linked to Aadhaar.
2. Enter either OTP you receive (by SMS or email) and tap Submit. If none arrives, tap Resend OTP.
3. Enter the operator's name and tick the consent box.
4. Tap Scan, read the face authentication instructions, tick the box and tap Proceed.
5. Keep the face inside the circle and blink when asked. You can use the front or rear camera.
6. On success, the app restarts and shows "Operator Authentication Successful".

The app is multilingual. Pick Hindi or another language from the drop-down at the top right.

Step 3: pensioner authentication

1. On Pensioner Identification, enter the pensioner's Aadhaar number and mobile number (email is optional) and tap Submit.
2. Enter the OTP and tap Submit.
3. Fill in the pension details. If details appear pre-filled, choose the right PPO No. from the list, or choose Add new pension PPO not in List for yourself to enter a new one.
4. Tap Next, check the preview, tick both boxes and tap Submit.
5. The app asks if you want certificates for other PPO numbers too. Choose Yes or No.
6. Tick the consent box and tap Scan. Scan the pensioner's face the same way as in Step 2.
7. On success, the screen shows a Pramaan ID for each PPO number. An SMS with the Pramaan ID and a download link goes to the pensioner's mobile.

You don't need to take the certificate to the bank or post office. NIC says it's forwarded automatically to the pension disbursing agency you entered.

Tips for a successful face scan

From NIC's best-practice page in the manual:

• Sit upright facing the camera. Don't turn or tilt your head.
• Use even, diffused light from the front, with no shadows on the face or eyes.
• Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at the camera.
• Clear glasses can stay on. Remove tinted or dark glasses.

The app's on-screen feedback includes messages such as "No face Found", "Enrolee too far", "Pose (Look Straight)", "Insufficient lighting" and "Very low face confidence". Adjust and try again.

Troubleshooting

"I installed AadhaarFaceRD but can't open it." That's how it's designed: it has no icon and opens automatically from JeevanPramaan.

OTP not received. Tap Resend OTP. For the pensioner step, the OTP goes to the mobile number entered on that screen.

The app won't run on my phone. The requirements are an un-rooted phone with Android 10+ or iOS 14+, inside India.

The certificate was rejected. The FAQ says rejection happens when wrong details are entered. Contact your pension disbursing agency and generate a new certificate with the correct details.

I want to check the status. Download your certificate from jeevanpramaan.gov.in (Pensioner Login). The FAQ says that's how you learn whether it was accepted.

I prefer a fingerprint device on a PC. Use the Windows client instead: see our Jeevan Pramaan Windows client guide.

Help: helpdesk jeevanpramaan@gov.in, helpline 1800 111 555. To find a centre, SMS JPL and your PIN code to 7738299899, for example JPL 110003.