The Ministry of Defence has introduced the System for Pension Administration Raksha (SPARSH) as a modern solution to streamline the pension disbursement process for Defence personnel. The goal of SPARSH & SPARSH Migration is to automate and centralize pension-related activities, moving away from the traditional system where banks played a significant role. This system is aimed at providing greater accuracy, transparency, and ease of use for pensioners, making it a key step towards a more efficient pension management system for Ex-Servicemen.
Introduction to SPARSH
SPARSH is an initiative led by the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA), Prayagraj. The platform centralizes all pension-related tasks, including the crediting of pensions, issuance of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs), grievance redressal, and life certificate submission. Under the old system, pensioners had to rely on bank branches and their Central Pension Processing Centres (CPPC) for disbursements and other updates. This created dependency on banks and often led to delays in pension processing or lack of transparency. With SPARSH, all these tasks are now managed directly by the PCDA, reducing the need for pensioners to visit their banks for pension-related queries.
Though the pensioners’ bank accounts remain the same, the processing of their pensions no longer involves the banks’ CPPCs. Instead, all pension-related queries and actions can be performed on the SPARSH portal. This platform is not only a centralized solution for pension management but also integrates all updates and corrections, including One Rank One Pension (OROP) arrears and any changes in pension amounts due to policies or corrections.
How SPARSH Affects Pensioners
The shift to SPARSH portal has significantly altered how pensioners manage their pension accounts and other related processes. The main changes include:
- Banks no longer handle pension credits or life certificate submissions: Migrated Pensioners now interact with the SPARSH portal for these services. The annual life certificate submission can be done digitally through SPARSH, using Aadhaar-based authentication or other methods offered by the portal.
- Centralized handling of pension adjustments: Updates such as OROP-2 arrears, pension increments, or deductions due to government policies are directly processed through SPARSH. Pensioners are notified of these changes via their registered contact details.
- A 12-digit Pensioner ID: Upon migration, each pensioner receives a unique 12-digit Pensioner ID. This ID serves as the pensioner’s SPARSH PPO number and is also used as the login username on the SPARSH portal. The unique ID simplifies pension management by consolidating all pension-related information under one identifier, eliminating the need for multiple IDs or bank-specific information.
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Step-by-Step Guide for SPARSH Migration and Account Activation
Migrating to SPARSH and activating your account is a simple process once you receive your login details. Here is a guide to help you navigate the system:
- Account Activation: After receiving an SMS or email from SPARSH with your username and password, visit the SPARSH portal at sparsh.defencepension.gov.in to log in. If you haven’t received your login credentials but your bank confirms that pension credits are coming from SPARSH, you can still activate your account by following the “Forgot Username/Password” steps on the SPARSH website.
- Password Setup: After the first login, it is crucial to change the system-generated password to a strong one for better security. SPARSH Portal recommends using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to enhance the security of your account.
- PDV Process: The Pensioner Data Verification (PDV) process must be completed to access all the features of the SPARSH system. Pensioners are required to verify and update their details, such as Aadhaar, PAN, address, and bank details. Completing the PDV ensures that pension-related services, such as life certificate submission and grievance management, are fully functional.
- PPO and Corrigendum Updates: Keep track of any updates to your Pension Payment Order (PPO) by regularly checking the SPARSH portal. Changes made to your PPO, such as pension adjustments or policy changes, are reflected through a corrigendum PPO, which is also accessible online.
PDV (Pensioner Data Verification) Process and Profile Management
The PDV process is one of the most critical steps for a smooth migration to SPARSH. It ensures that all personal information is correctly entered into the system. SPARSH portal allows pensioners to directly update certain details, such as contact information and bank details. However, other information, such as service details, may require approval from the respective Record Offices.
By completing the PDV process, pensioners can access the full range of services on the SPARSH portal, including the ability to submit life certificates and file grievances. Regularly checking and managing your profile ensures that any errors are corrected promptly, avoiding delays in pension disbursement.
Key Considerations for SPARSH Pensioners: Life Certificate Submission and Grievances
Life Certificate Submission is mandatory for all pensioners to continue receiving their pension. SPARSH website offers multiple options for submitting the Annual Life Certificate (ALC):
- Digital Submission via Jeevan Pramaan: Pensioners can submit their ALC using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication through the Jeevan Pramaan app or at designated centers like post offices or common service centers (CSCs).
- Manual Submission: Pensioners who prefer the traditional method can download and fill out a Manual Life Certificate (MLC) from the SPARSH portal. Once verified by a gazetted officer, postmaster, or designated official, the pensioner must upload the form back to SPARSH.
- Post Office Service: For a small fee, the Post Office offers a service where pensioners can submit their life certificates through their network.
- Email Submission for NRI & NDG Pensioners: To assist Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Nepal-Domiciled Gorkha (NDG) pensioners facing SPARSH portal restrictions, life certificates can now be submitted via email. By sending their ALC to sparshnri.dad@gov.in eligible pensioners abroad can conveniently ensure the continuation of their pension without accessing the portal directly.
SPARSH also provides an efficient grievance management system. Pensioners can raise any concerns or issues related to their pension, such as discrepancies in pension amounts or delays in credits, directly on the portal. The centralized system ensures that grievances are addressed more promptly than the previous bank-based system.
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Summary
SPARSH is transforming the way defence pensioners manage their pensions by offering a centralized, transparent, and automated system. The migration to SPARSH simplifies life certificate submissions, pension disbursements, and grievance management, while also providing a secure platform to handle all pension-related tasks. Pensioners must ensure their profiles are updated, and the PDV process is completed to fully enjoy the benefits of this modern system. By embracing SPARSH, pensioners can now experience more accurate and efficient pension management.
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