Digital Life Certificate Campaign 5: Nearly 40 Lakh Certificates in Five Days as Face Authentication Reaches Nearly 80%, Says Minister — PTI (November 6, 2026)
Article Updated: November 6, 2026 · Campaign runs until November 30, 2026
Union Minister Jitendra Singh says nearly 40 lakh digital life certificates were generated in the first five days of Campaign 5, 60% more than in the same period last year.
This report covers the figures, how they compare with last year, the face-authentication trend, progress toward the target and what remains unknown.
1. What was announced
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, formally launched the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 5 in New Delhi on Friday, November 6, even though the campaign itself began on November 1 and runs to November 30. He said nearly 40 lakh digital life certificates had been generated in the first five days, surpassing last year’s achievement for the corresponding period, according to PTI.
| Measure | Figure (as stated by the minister) |
|---|---|
| Certificates, first five days of Campaign 5 | Nearly 40 lakh |
| Same period last year | About 25 lakh |
| Increase | 60% |
| Face authentication share | 61% to nearly 80% |
| Last year’s full campaign | 1.92 crore, about 1.17 crore by face authentication |
2. Compared with last year
The minister said the five-day total of nearly 40 lakh compares with about 25 lakh in the corresponding period last year. A 15 lakh gap on a base of 25 lakh is the 60% increase he cited. The government also describes the campaign as a “whole of government” and “whole of society” effort, with pensioners’ welfare associations and family members helping elderly relatives.
3. Face authentication’s growing share
Singh said face authentication’s share rose from 61% to nearly 80% between the corresponding five-day periods. He traced the history: conventional certificates came first, then fingerprint biometrics, then face authentication to overcome limits faced by elderly pensioners, who can now use a mobile phone without visiting banks or offices. Using the minister’s full-year numbers, 1.17 crore of 1.92 crore is about 61%, so this year’s early share is well above last year’s overall share. That comparison is our arithmetic, and early days may not represent the whole month.
4. Progress toward the 2.30 crore target
The government’s target for the month is 2.30 crore certificates, including 1.50 crore through face authentication. Nearly 40 lakh is about 17% of 230 lakh after five of 30 days, which is about 17% of the time. The early pace averages about 8 lakh a day, while the remaining 190 lakh over 25 days would need about 7.6 lakh a day. This is simple arithmetic, not a forecast, and daily numbers can change as camps and doorstep services ramp up.
5. What it means for pensioners
Pensioners must submit a life certificate every year to keep receiving their pension. The campaign runs until November 30, with face authentication on Android and iOS phones, camps with health check-ups and Aadhaar updation, and doorstep services through banks and post offices where needed. The minister also said central government pensioners number nearly 70 lakh, against about 50 lakh working employees. This is general information, not official guidance, so check with your pension-disbursing bank or office for your own deadline.
6. A note on figures
Our earlier report on this campaign used last year’s totals of 1.91 crore and about 1.16 crore face-authenticated from a secondary summary. The minister’s statement now gives 1.92 crore and about 1.17 crore, which this article uses.
7. What is still unknown
The reports do not break the five-day numbers down by state, age group or channel (camp, bank, post office or home), and they do not say how many pensioners, as opposed to certificates, are covered. We read PTI through ThePrint and the ministry statement through reproductions, and we did not see the underlying data.
8. Related reading on WB Scheme News
9. Frequently asked questions
1. How many certificates were generated in the first five days?
Nearly 40 lakh Digital Life Certificates between November 1 and 5, 2026, according to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, compared with about 25 lakh in the same period last year, a 60% increase.
2. What does “80% face authentication” mean?
It means nearly 80% of the certificates generated in the first five days used face authentication, up from 61% in the corresponding period last year. It is a share of certificates, not 80% of all pensioners.
3. What was last year’s total?
The minister said 1.92 crore certificates were generated last year, about 1.17 crore of them through face authentication. Some earlier reports gave slightly different figures.
4. What is the target for this campaign?
The government aims for 2.30 crore certificates by November 30, including 1.50 crore through face authentication.
5. Can pensioners still submit certificates?
Yes. The campaign runs until November 30, and reports describe camps, doorstep services through banks and post offices, and Jeevan Pramaan face authentication on smartphones.
6. Are these numbers independently verified?
No. They are statements by the minister reported by PTI and others, and we have not seen the underlying data.
10. Conclusion
The early numbers suggest strong take-up and a shift towards face authentication, though they are government figures for five days of a 30-day campaign. The next markers are the mid-month and final totals against the 2.30 crore target, and any breakdown by state or age.
11. Sources and references
- PTI (via ThePrint) — Nearly 40 lakh digital life certificates in 5 days: Centre’s campaign gets overwhelming response, November 6, 2026. Primary source for the 40 lakh, 25 lakh, 60% and 61% to nearly 80% figures.
Read the PTI report on ThePrint ↗ - Kashmir Despatch — Face authentication adoption surges to 80% as DLC Campaign 5 generates nearly 40 lakh certificates in first five days. Reproduces the ministry statement, including last year’s 1.92 crore and 1.17 crore.
Read the ministry statement text ↗ - ETV Bharat — Digital innovation transforming pensioners’ ease of living, says Union Minister, November 6, 2026. Confirms the first-five-days figures.
Read the ETV Bharat report ↗ - Jammu Links News — Face authentication used by 80% pensioners for generating life certificate. Adds the figure on central government pensioners and the Campaign 4 compendium launch.
Read the Jammu Links News report ↗ - The 420 — Nearly 40 lakh digital life certificates issued in five days as face authentication surges. Explains the share comparison and Jeevan Pramaan use.
Read The 420 summary ↗ - PIB release of October 30, 2026 (reproduced by Indian Govt Scheme) — Campaign 5 announcement. Source for the 2.30 crore and 1.50 crore targets.
Read the campaign announcement ↗
