Schemes / Portal 03 September 2026
Punjab Launches 'Pehchaan' Portal to Identify Unclaimed Bodies
Why in the News?
The Punjab government has launched 'Pehchaan', India's first digital public identification portal, to help families identify unidentified and unclaimed deceased persons in government mortuaries across the state.
Key Features / Major Points:
First-of-its-Kind Portal: Enables relatives residing in India and abroad to search and identify missing loved ones free of cost.
48-Hour Upload Mandate: Facial photographs, permanent identification marks (tattoos, birthmarks, deformities), and physical details will be uploaded within 48 hours of postmortem.
Automated Investigation Workflow: Submitting an online claim automatically alerts the concerned police Investigating Officer (IO) to proceed with legal verification.
Extensive Network: Connects all 23 districts and 346 government hospitals across Punjab.
State Statistics: Addresses a critical issue where approximately 5,000 to 6,000 people die as unidentified/unclaimed annually in Punjab alone.
Static GK Facts:
Punjab State: Capital: Chandigarh | Chief Minister: Bhagwant Mann | Governor: Gulab Chand Katariya.
Digital Public Infrastructure: Publicly accessible free of charge through all official state health department portals.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Which state launched India's first digital public portal named 'Pehchaan' to identify unclaimed bodies?
A: Punjab
Q: Within how many hours of a postmortem must body details be uploaded to the 'Pehchaan' portal?
A: 48 hours
Q: How many government hospitals are connected under Punjab's 'Pehchaan' initiative?
A: 346