National Anubhav Awards 2026 were organised at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on August 17, 2026, as part of an event focused on recognising the experiences and contributions of retiring and retired government employees. The 9th National Anubhav Awards Ceremony was held along with the 60th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW). Fifteen selected awardees were recognised for their contributions to government administration, public service and nation-building.

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The awards ceremony was scheduled to be attended by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The event also brought together government employees approaching retirement, pension-related officials and representatives of pension-disbursing banks.

Anubhav Platform Supports Knowledge Sharing

The Anubhav initiative is designed to preserve the professional experiences of government employees after they retire. The platform was launched in March 2015 for retiring and retired employees of the Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises and 12 Public Sector Banks.

Through the Anubhav platform, employees can share important experiences from their careers through written accounts. These experiences can describe administrative improvements, successful projects, innovative approaches and lessons learned during public service. Selected contributions are considered for the National Anubhav Awards.

The initiative provides a way to record institutional knowledge that could otherwise be lost when experienced employees leave government service. Such experiences can also help other officials understand how different government programmes and administrative systems developed over time.

Record Number of Write-Ups Considered

The 2026 awards saw a significant number of contributions. According to the information released for the event, 2,141 write-ups published on the Anubhav portal between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, were considered for the awards.

The selected contributions covered different areas of government work. These included the Passport Seva Kendra initiative, changes in administrative rules, the use of technology in government administration and efforts related to energy conservation.

The wide range of subjects shows how government work is changing with the use of digital technology and new administrative practices. It also highlights the role of employees in improving public services and making government processes more efficient.

Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop Focuses on Pension Support

The National Anubhav Awards ceremony was held alongside the 60th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop. The workshop was aimed mainly at Central Government employees who are approaching retirement, particularly those working in the National Capital Region.

Retirement involves several administrative processes, including the settlement of pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits. The counselling programme provides information to employees so that they can understand these procedures and complete the required formalities on time.

The workshop also helps retiring employees understand the systems used for the disbursement of pension and other benefits. Timely processing is important because retirement benefits provide financial support to employees after their period of government service.

Digital Life Certificate Campaign 5 Gets Attention

Digital pension services were also highlighted during the August 17 event. Guidelines for the Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 5 were released at Vigyan Bhawan.

A Digital Life Certificate allows pensioners to complete life verification electronically instead of depending only on traditional physical procedures. Digital systems have made it easier for many pensioners to complete this important requirement from locations closer to their homes.

The continued focus on Digital Life Certificates reflects the government’s broader effort to use technology to simplify pension-related services. Digital verification can reduce paperwork and make the process more convenient for pensioners, particularly senior citizens.

Pension Mitra Handbook Released

A new Handbook on Pension Mitra was also released during the programme. The handbook is intended to provide useful information related to pension services and support available to pensioners.

Pension-related services involve several departments, banks and administrative procedures. Providing information in a simple and organised form can help pensioners understand the services available to them and the steps required for different pension-related needs.

The release of the handbook alongside the counselling workshop connects information support with the wider effort to improve pension administration.

Banks Showcase Pension Services

A specialised bank exhibition was also organised at the venue. Seventeen pension-disbursing banks participated in the exhibition and presented financial services and retirement-related products.

Banks play an important role in the pension system because they are responsible for disbursing pension payments to eligible beneficiaries. The exhibition provided an opportunity for pensioners and retiring employees to learn about different banking services available to them.

The event therefore combined recognition of public service with practical information for employees preparing for retirement.

Role of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare functions under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It deals with policy matters and administrative issues connected with pension and retirement benefits for Central Government employees.

Through initiatives such as Anubhav, pre-retirement counselling and digital pension services, the department is working to make retirement-related processes more accessible.

The National Anubhav Awards also give retired and retiring employees an opportunity to share knowledge gained during their careers. This creates a record of administrative experience while recognising individuals who contributed to improvements in public service.

Why the 2026 Awards Matter

The National Anubhav Awards 2026 bring attention to an important part of public administration: the experience of employees who have spent many years working in government institutions. Their knowledge can provide useful lessons for future administrative work.

The 2,141 write-ups considered for this year’s awards also show the scale of participation in the Anubhav platform. From passport services and administrative reforms to technology and energy conservation, the recognised contributions cover areas that affect everyday government functioning.

The combination of the awards ceremony, pre-retirement counselling, Digital Life Certificate Campaign 5, Pension Mitra handbook and bank exhibition made the August 17 programme broader than an awards event. It brought together recognition, retirement guidance and digital pension services at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.