Context:

Recently, the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DOPPW) has launched an online Pension Sanction & Payment Tracking System called 'BHAVISHYA'.

More on the news: 

• This initiative aims to overcome the problems of delays, clerical errors, financial loss, and 
• harassment to pensioners in pension processing, ensuring a smoother experience for them.
• Bhavishya" was made mandatory for all central civil Ministries and Departments w.e.f. January 1, 2017. Since then, it has transformed pension processing for central government Ministries and Departments. 

• Currently, 99 Ministries/Departments, 1,020 Offices, and 8,320 Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) are on board, utilizing this innovative platform. 

About BHAVISHYA

• This software unified previously decentralized stakeholders onto a single platform and established a common process that follows the CCS Pension Rules, 2021.
• To ensure that all retirement dues are paid and the Pension Payment Order (PPO) is delivered to retiring employees on their last working day. 

• It allows both the individual and the administrative authorities to track the pension approval and payment process online. 
• It records the pensioner's personal and service details, and pension forms can be submitted online. 
• Retiring employees are kept informed of the progress through SMS and email notifications. 
• BHAVISHYA has been recognized as the 3rd best in the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) 2021. 

Features:

• Auto Registration of Retirees: BHAVISHYA integrates with payroll systems to automatically fill in basic data for retiring employees, enhancing efficiency.
• Self-Registration: All stakeholders, including DDOs and PAOs, can register themselves, streamlining the process.
• Self-Filling of Forms: Retirees can fill out pension forms independently, reducing administrative burden.
• Strict Timelines: The system enforces strict timelines for pension processing, starting 15 months before retirement, with alerts for deadlines.
• e-PPO Integration: BHAVISHYA enables the issuance of electronic PPOs, streamlining the disbursement process.
• End-to-End Digitization: e-PPO makes the entire pension application, procession and payments process paperless by transferring and accepting data in encrypted form.
• Digilocker Integration: e-PPOs are automatically stored in retirees' Digilocker accounts for easy access.
• Bank Integration: BHAVISHYA connects with bank portals to provide services like Form-16 and pension slips, enhancing post-retirement support.

Impact:

• As a result of its implementation, 83% of superannuation Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) are issued either before retirement or within 30 days. 
• This system not only promotes digital empowerment but also significantly enhances the ease of living for pensioners, ensuring a dignified retirement experience.
• It ensures transparency and prevents delays in pension payments.