Dear Esteemed Members,
Now that FAQ is around our necks, we better try to educate ourselves about SPARSH (I have no idea of this devil SPARSH as SBI, Trimulgherry, Secunderabad is giving me excellent service).
Read the FAQs sent by Maj SK Jain, a one man Army fighting for our rights.
This is attached.
Warm regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Retd)

FAQ SPARSH

(NOTE: All Bank Branches are expected to be Common Service Centers)

(ह िंदी में जानकारी के हिए हनम्नहिखित हििंक पर जाएँ)

Videos of SPARSH PCDA – Bing video

SPARSH RELATED QUIERIES

How can I change or update my login password?

You can update your password as applicable.

Go to: My Profile > Change Password, and update as applicable.

I have forgotten my login password. What should I do ?
- You can change your forgotten password. Click on Forgot Password on the

You can call the SPARSH Helpline, provide necessary details and access using temporary password provided
- You can visit the nearest Service Center, provide necessary details and access using temporary password provided
Will login in portal available 24*7 hours ?

Yes. You can access the SPARSH portal anytime & anywhere

Where can I find out the list of service centers in my area ?

The list of active Service Centers is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Contact & Support > SPARSH near You > Service Center Locator

How can I avail services through Service Center ?

You can visit your nearest Service Center & request for services to be availed by providing necessary identification data for verification.

Verify yourself using OTP sent to your Registered Mobile Number (RMN), or answer a set of Security Questions

Can I be entertained at a Service Center if I visit there without my phone?

To avail services at a Service Center, you need to verify yourself using OTP sent to your Registered Mobile Number (RMN), or answer a set of Security Questions

Are the services provided at service centre different from pensioner’s portal?

All services available on SPARSH can be availed via Pensioner Portal as well as Service Centers without any charges.

What are the timings of Service Centers ?

Working Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday to Friday)

What should I do if I am facing troubles while availing services on SPARSH Portal?
- Check internet connection
- Check browser compatibility

You can alternatively reach out to us via SPARSH Helpline or visit the nearest Service Center to avail services

What should I do if an error message is displayed for ‘Services Temporary Unavailable’ while using SPARSH Portal?
- Check internet connection
- Check browser compatibility

You can alternatively reach out to us via SPARSH Helpline or visit the nearest Service Center to avail services

PENSION RELATED QUERIES

How can I view my pension details? (Basic Pension, Disability Element, Gratuity, Other Entitlements etc.) ?

You can view your pension details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Entitlements alternatively, you can access your PPO via My Documents > PPO

How can I view & download a copy of my monthly pension slips?

You can view & download your pension slip in SPARSH.

How can I view & download a copy of my Pension Payment Order (PPO)?

You can view & download your pension payment order (PPO) in SPARSH.

Where can I find the current & previous rates of DR applicable?

The table of Dearness Relief (DR) rates applicable till date is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Pension Orders & Information > Common Problems > Dearness Relief

How can I view the deduction of commutation amount from my pension?

You can view & download your monthly pension payments & deductions in SPARSH.

How can I view the date of restoration of the deduction of commutation amount?

You can view your commutation details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Entitlements Alternatively, you can access your PPO via My Documents > PPO

What to do if I am not getting correct rate of disability element?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

How can I view that benefit of broadbanding has been given to me?

You can view your pension details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Entitlements alternatively, you can access your PPO via My Documents > PPO

How can I view my projected tax details of the financial year?

You can view your pension details in SPARSH.

Where can I find the latest rates of Gallantry applicable?

The details for Gallantry Awards along with the applicable rates till date is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Pension Orders & Information > Common Problems > Gallantry Awards

Where can I find the current & previous rates of Fixed Medical Allowance applicable?

The details for Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) along with the applicable rates till date is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Pension Orders & Information > Common Problems > Fixed Medical Allowance

PENSIONER DATA VERIFICATION QUERIES

What is Pensioner Data Verification? Applicable only for Service Pensioners.

~~Pensioner Data Verification (PDV) aims at enabling the retiree to~~ ~~verify his/her own details before sanction of pension. This activity~~ ~~should be completed within 15 days of notification via SMS/Email~~ ~~sent to your Registered Mobile Number/Email ID~~

My annual identification is due. How can I identify myself in SPARSH?

You can identify yourself using Aadhar, or provide life certificates issued by designated authorities to have the entitled pension credited to your bank account.

For identification using Aadhar (Digital Life Certificate): Go To: Services >

Identification > Digital Life Certificate

For identification using Manual Life Certificate: Go To: Services > Identification > Manual Life Certificate

PENSIONER VERIFICATION (Annual Life certificate)

How can I view my next identification date?

Go To: Services > Identification, and view details of your identification completed, including last identification date & next identification due date

How can I obtain a blank form of Manual Life Certificate?

You can identify yourself using Aadhar, or provide life certificates issued by designated authorities to have the entitled pension credited to your bank account.

For identification using Manual Life Certificate:

Go To: Services > Identification > Perform Identification
1. Generate your MLC Number & download the blank form for Manual Life Certificate
Is there a time limit for uploading of Manual Life Certificate after download on Portal?

No. Manual Life Certificate can be uploaded anytime on SPARSH

Can a last year downloaded form be used this year for Manual identification?

No. Manual Life Certificate once submitted for identification cannot be reused.

Whether I would be able to receive all my pensionary arrears on delayed identification?

Yes. Upon delayed identification, all applicable pensionary arrears shall be paid.

Life Certificates can be issued/signed by one or other of the following authorities.
- Any person exercising the power of a Magistrate under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (5 of 1898).
- A Registrar or Sub-Registrar under the Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908).
- Any pensioned Officer who before retirement exercised the powers of a Magistrate.
- Any Gazetted Officer of Government.
- A Munsif.
- A Post Master.
- A Departmental Sub Post Master.
- An Inspector of Post Offices.
- A Class I Officer of the Reserve Bank of India.
- An Officer of the State Bank of India.
- An Officer of a subsidiary Bank of the State Bank of India.
- Head of a Village Panchayat, Gram Panchayat or Gaon Panchayat.
- Head of an Executive Committee of a village.
- An officer of a bank included in the second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) in respect of pensioner drawing his/her pension through that Bank.
- A Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector-in-Charge of a Police Station.
- A member of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Vidhan Sabha/Vidhan Parishad or a Corporator of Municipal Corporation or a Councilor of a Municipality. (xvii) In the case of pensioners reemployed a life certificate furnished by the pensioner signed by the Head of the office, where he is re-employed. (xviii) A District Sainik Welfare officer- (DSWO).
What all biometric devices are compatible with SPARSH?

For recommended list of biometric devices: Click Here

SPARSH- Life Certificate through different modes Click Here
How do I report death of a family member in SPARSH?

Go To: Services > Report Event > Death, and provide required details along with copy of Death Certificate

How do I report about a missing family member in SPARSH?

Go To: Services > Report Event > Missing, and provide required details along with copy of FIR

SERVICE REQUEST

How do I report about a convicted family member in SPARSH?

Go To: Services > Report Event > Conviction, and provide required details along with copy of Judgment

What is Initiate Family Pension?

You can request for your share of pension via Initiate Family Pension Go To: Services > Report Event > Initiate Family Pension, and provide required details along with necessary documents as applicable

How do I update my basic details (Mobile Number, Bank Account Number, PAN etc.) in SPARSH?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can manage & update your profile details like personal details, service details, family details etc. by logging in to your SPARSH account.

How do I add/remove family details (Spouse/Dependents) in SPARSH?

My annual identification is due. How can I identify myself in SPARSH?

You can identify yourself using Aadhar, or provide life certificates issued by designated authorities to have the entitled pension credited to your bank account.

For identification using Aadhar (Digital Life Certificate): Go To: Services >

Identification > Digital Life Certificate

For identification using Manual Life Certificate: Go To: Services > Identification > Manual Life Certificate

How can I declare my investments or proof of savings for tax purposes in SPARSH?

You can declare & manage your investments in SPARSH by logging into your SPARSH account.

How can I apply for commutation in SPARSH?

You can apply for commutation by logging into your SPARSH account.

I have registered a Service Request in SPARSH. How can I track it?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

How can I report or update re-employment details including discharge from re-employment?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can report your employment/re-employment details by logging in to your SPARSH account.

How can I report my marriage/re-marriage?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can report your marriage/remarriage details by logging in to your SPARSH account. Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Profile > Report Remarriage

How can I request to stop my Fixed Medical Allowance for availing ECHS facility?

For Indian resident pensioners: If you don’t wish to continue availing Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), you need to update the FMA option in your personal profile by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Go to: My Profile > Manage Profile > Personal Details > Fixed Medical Allowance

How to draw Fixed Medical Allowance if I am not availaing any ECHS facility?

For Indian resident pensioners: If you wish to opt for Fixed Medical

Allowance (FMA), you need to update the FMA option in your personal profile by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Note: Your address should be part of the districts eligible for FMA. Please verify your address before applying for FMA.

Go to: My Profile > Manage Profile > Personal Details > Fixed Medical Allowance

How can I claim death gratuity of my late husband?

The demise of the deceased member needs to be reported first

Go To: Services > Report Event > Death, and provide required details along with copy of Death Certificate

Once approved by the competent authority, apply claim for Family Pension & Death Gratuity.

Go To: Services > Report Event > Initiate Family Pension, and provide required details along with necessary documents as applicable

What are straight through profile requests? How can I identify them?

Available to registered users on SPARSH, Straight Through Profile Requests don’t need authorization from the competent concerned authorities. You can refer the legends displayed on your profile page to identify such requests (My Profile > Manage Profile)

Example:

Change in personal details like Residential Address, Mobile Number, Email ID, Aadhaar Number, PAN etc.
1. Change in Bank Details (For Indian Nationals)
What are approval based profile requests? How can I identify them?

Example:

Change in personal details like Name, Date of Birth etc.
1. Change in Service Details like Non Qualifying Service, Gallantry Awards etc.
1. Addition/Removal of Spouse/Dependent Details

GRIVIEANCE

I am receiving lesser payment than the sanctioned amounts in my PPO. How do I report such incorrect payments in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

My PPO doesn’t have some elements I’m entitled for, and I am not being paid the same. How do I report such incorrect payments in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

My tax has been deducted wrongly. How do I report such incorrect deductions in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

My amount for recovery is being displayed incorrectly in my PPO. How do I report such incorrect deductions in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

I have registered a Grievance in SPARSH. How can I track it?

You can raise & track grievances in SPARSH.

For unregistered users (without login credentials), For registered users (with valid login credentials)

How can I claim Constant Attendant Allowance?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

How to intimate about overpayments to the disbursing agency?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

What should I do if I am not getting dearness relief?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Can I raise a grievance against a service request?

Yes. You can raise a grievance against a completed Service Request by providing details of the service request for reference (Request ID, Request Date etc.)

Whom and how to approach if I am not getting correct pension?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same using any of the following modes:

Log into your SPARSH account
1. Call the SPARSH Helpline
1. Visit the nearest Service Center