About PAN Card

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It is mandatory for:

• Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR)
• Opening bank accounts and making financial transactions above specified limits
• Buying or selling property, vehicles, and other high-value assets
• Making investments in mutual funds, stocks, and securities
• Applying for credit cards and loans
• Receiving taxable salary or professional fees

PAN Card is issued to Indian citizens, NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), foreign nationals, companies, and various entities. It serves as a universal identification for all financial transactions.

Key PAN Card Services

• New PAN Application: Apply for first-time PAN (Form 49A for Indian citizens, Form 49AA for foreign nationals)
• PAN Correction/Change: Update incorrect details like name, date of birth, father's name, etc.
• Download e-PAN: Get instant digital PAN card in PDF format
• Reprint PAN Card: Request duplicate physical PAN card if lost or damaged
• Address Update: Update address via Aadhaar-based e-KYC
• Aadhaar-PAN Linking: Mandatory linking of PAN with Aadhaar
• PAN Status Check: Track application status online
• Instant e-PAN: Get PAN instantly using Aadhaar (for Indian citizens)

How to Apply for New PAN Card

Method 1: Online Application (Recommended)

For Indian Citizens (Form 49A):

1. Visit official portals:
   • Protean NSDL PAN Portal
   • UTIITSL PAN Portal
2. Click on "Apply for New PAN" and select Form 49A
3. Choose application type: Individual, Company, Partnership, etc.
4. Fill the online form with:
   • Personal details (Name, DOB, Gender)
   • Contact information (Address, Mobile, Email)
   • Parent's information
   • Source of income details
5. Upload required documents (max size: 1MB each, PDF/JPEG format):
   • Identity Proof: Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License
   • Address Proof: Aadhaar, Passport, Electricity Bill, Bank Statement
   • Date of Birth Proof: Birth Certificate, School Certificate, Passport
   • Photograph: Passport-size color photo
6. Pay application fee:
   • Indian addresses: ₹107 (₹93 + 18% GST)
   • Foreign addresses: ₹1,017 (₹989 + GST)
7. Submit application and note down the 15-digit Acknowledgement Number
8. PAN will be dispatched to your address within 15-20 working days
9. Track status using acknowledgement number

For Foreign Citizens/NRIs (Form 49AA):

1. Visit NSDL or UTIITSL portal and select Form 49AA
2. Provide passport details and foreign address
3. Upload passport copy and address proof from home country
4. Pay application fee (₹1,017 including GST)
5. Submit and track application

Method 2: Physical Application

1. Download Form 49A/49AA from Income Tax website
2. Fill the form manually with black ink
3. Attach photocopies of required documents (self-attested)
4. Attach recent photograph
5. Attach demand draft or payment receipt
6. Submit at nearest PAN Center or TIN Facilitation Center

How to Download e-PAN

e-PAN is an electronically signed PAN card in PDF format, equally valid as physical PAN:

Method 1: Using PAN Details

1. Visit e-PAN Download Portal
2. Enter your 10-digit PAN Number
3. Enter Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY format)
4. Enter Captcha code
5. Click "Submit"
6. OTP will be sent to registered mobile number
7. Enter OTP and download e-PAN (PDF)
8. Password to open PDF: Your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format

Method 2: Using Aadhaar (if linked)

1. Visit the same e-PAN portal
2. Select "Download e-PAN using Aadhaar"
3. Enter 12-digit Aadhaar Number
4. Enter Captcha
5. Verify via OTP on Aadhaar-registered mobile
6. Download e-PAN instantly

Method 3: Using Acknowledgement Number

1. If you've recently applied for PAN
2. Visit e-PAN portal and select acknowledgement option
3. Enter 15-digit Acknowledgement Number
4. Download e-PAN (available after processing)

Charges: FREE for first download. ₹8.26 (including GST) for subsequent downloads.

Change/Correction in PAN Card

You can update incorrect or outdated information on your PAN card:

Details That Can Be Corrected:

• Name spelling errors
• Date of Birth
• Father's/Mother's name
• Gender
• Address
• Signature/Photograph
• Contact details

Online Correction Process:

1. Visit PAN Correction Portal
2. Select "Changes or Correction in existing PAN data/Reprint of PAN Card"
3. Choose the category (Individual, Company, etc.)
4. Enter existing PAN details
5. Select fields to be corrected
6. Enter correct information
7. Upload supporting documents for changes:
   • For name change: Marriage certificate, Gazette notification
   • For DOB change: Birth certificate, School certificate
   • For address: Latest utility bill, bank statement
8. Upload updated photograph if changing photo/signature
9. Pay correction fee: ₹110 (including GST)
10. Submit and note acknowledgement number
11. Corrected PAN card will be dispatched within 15-20 days

Important: PAN number remains the same after correction. Only the incorrect details are updated.

Reprint/Duplicate PAN Card

If your PAN card is lost, damaged, or not received, you can request a reprint:

Reprint Process:

1. Visit PAN Reprint Portal
2. Select "Reprint of PAN Card" option
3. Enter PAN Number and Date of Birth
4. Verify details via Aadhaar OTP (if linked)
5. Choose delivery address (existing or updated)
6. Pay reprint charges: ₹50 (including GST)
7. Submit request
8. Duplicate PAN card will be dispatched to your address

Note: If you don't have your PAN number, you can retrieve it using Aadhaar on the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Update Address in PAN Card

You can update your address in PAN records quickly using Aadhaar-based e-KYC:

Quick Update via Aadhaar e-KYC (FREE):

1. Visit PAN Address Update Portal
2. Enter PAN Number
3. Enter 12-digit Aadhaar Number
4. Verify via OTP sent to Aadhaar-registered mobile
5. Address from Aadhaar will be updated in PAN records
6. Process is instant and FREE
7. Updated e-PAN can be downloaded immediately

Manual Address Update (with documents):

1. Use the correction process mentioned above
2. Select "Address" field for correction
3. Upload address proof document
4. Pay ₹110 correction fee

Tip: Aadhaar e-KYC method is fastest and free. Ensure your Aadhaar has correct address before using this method.

Link Aadhaar with PAN (Mandatory)

As per Income Tax rules, linking Aadhaar with PAN is mandatory. Unlinked PAN becomes inoperative and cannot be used for financial transactions.

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN:

Method 1: Online via Income Tax Portal

1. Visit Income Tax e-Filing Portal
2. Click "Link Aadhaar" on homepage (no login required)
3. Enter PAN Number
4. Enter 12-digit Aadhaar Number
5. Enter Name as per Aadhaar (exactly matching)
6. Enter Captcha and click "Link Aadhaar"
7. If details match, linking will be successful immediately

Method 2: Via SMS

Send SMS to 567678 or 56161 in following format:

UIDPAN<SPACE><12-digit Aadhaar><SPACE><10-digit PAN>

Example: UIDPAN 123456789012 ABCDE1234F

Method 3: Via e-Filing Portal (After Login)

1. Login to Income Tax e-Filing portal
2. Go to Profile Settings
3. Click "Link Aadhaar"
4. Verify via OTP on registered mobile
5. Linking will be confirmed

Important: Name on PAN and Aadhaar must match exactly. Minor variations may be acceptable, but major differences will cause linking failure.

Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status

1. Visit Income Tax Portal
2. Click "Link Aadhaar Status" on homepage
3. Enter PAN and Aadhaar Number
4. View linking status (Linked/Not Linked)

You can also check status via SMS: Send UIDPAN<PAN> to 567678 or 56161

Track PAN/TAN Application Status

After applying for new PAN or correction, track your application status:

1. Visit PAN Status Tracking Portal
2. Select Application Type:
   • PAN - New
   • PAN - Changes or Correction
   • PAN - Reprint
3. Enter 15-digit Acknowledgement Number (received during application)
4. Enter Captcha code
5. Click "Submit"
6. View current status of your application:
   • Application received
   • Documents verified
   • PAN allotted
   • Dispatched
   • Delivered

You can also track via SMS: Send <Acknowledgement Number> to 57575

Find/Retrieve Lost PAN Number

If you have forgotten your PAN number, you can retrieve it:

Method 1: Using Aadhaar

1. Visit Income Tax e-Filing portal
2. Click "Know Your PAN"
3. Enter Aadhaar Number
4. Verify via OTP
5. Your PAN will be displayed (if linked)

Method 2: Using Personal Details

1. Visit Income Tax portal "Know Your PAN" section
2. Enter Name, DOB, Father's Name
3. Enter Mobile Number and Email
4. PAN will be sent via SMS and Email

PAN Services - Charges Summary

• New PAN Application (Indian address): ₹107 (₹93 + GST)
• New PAN Application (Foreign address): ₹1,017 (₹989 + GST)
• PAN Correction/Change: ₹110 (including GST)
• PAN Reprint: ₹50 (including GST)
• e-PAN Download (first time): FREE
• e-PAN Download (subsequent): ₹8.26 (including GST)
• Address Update via Aadhaar e-KYC: FREE
• Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar: FREE
• Aadhaar-PAN Linking: FREE

*All charges are as per current NSDL/UTIITSL rates and subject to change.

Important Official Links

• Income Tax Department: incometax.gov.in
• Income Tax e-Filing Portal: e-Filing Portal
• Protean NSDL PAN Services: NSDL Portal
• UTIITSL PAN Services: UTIITSL Portal
• Download e-PAN: e-PAN Download
• Track PAN Status: Status Tracker
• Link Aadhaar-PAN: Link Aadhaar
• TIN-NSDL Helpdesk: 020-27218080 (10 AM to 6 PM)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is PAN mandatory for everyone?

PAN is mandatory for anyone filing income tax returns, making high-value transactions, or receiving taxable income. It's not mandatory for minors or those without taxable income, but useful for financial transactions.

Q2: Can I have multiple PAN cards?

No, having multiple PAN cards is illegal and attracts penalties up to ₹10,000. Surrender extra PANs to Income Tax Department immediately.

Q3: What is the validity of PAN card?

PAN card has lifetime validity and doesn't need renewal. However, unlinked PANs become inoperative and must be linked with Aadhaar.

Q4: Can NRIs apply for PAN?

Yes, NRIs can apply using Form 49AA. They need to provide passport and foreign address proof. PAN is essential for NRIs to file tax returns in India.

Q5: What if my name on PAN and Aadhaar don't match?

Minor spelling variations are acceptable for linking. For major differences, update either Aadhaar or PAN to match the names before linking.

Q6: Can I apply for PAN without Aadhaar?

Yes, but Aadhaar makes the process faster (instant e-PAN). Without Aadhaar, you need to submit physical documents at PAN centers.

Q7: How long does it take to get PAN card?

Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar takes 10 minutes. Regular applications take 15-20 working days. Physical card delivery takes additional 7-10 days.