A Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India. It is mandatory for all taxpayers, businesses, and entities that have taxable income or transactions in India. A PAN card serves as a valid identity proof and helps in tracking the income flow and tax liabilities of the PAN holders. In this article, we will explain how to apply for and download a PAN card online in a few simple steps.
A PAN card is a laminated plastic card that contains the name, date of birth, father's name, photograph, signature, and PAN of the cardholder. The PAN is a unique identifier that links all the financial transactions and tax records of the cardholder. The PAN helps the Income Tax Department to prevent tax evasion, detect frauds, and monitor the income flow of the taxpayers.
A PAN card has multiple benefits and uses for individuals and entities in India. Some of them are:
The eligibility criteria for applying for a PAN card online are as follows:
The documents required for applying for a PAN card online are as follows:
You can apply for a new PAN card or request for changes or correction in your existing PAN data online through the portals of NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) or UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Limited). These are the authorized agencies that process the PAN applications on behalf of the Income Tax Department. The online application process through these portals is as follows:
| Steps | NSDL Portal | UTIITSL Portal |
|---|
| 1. Visit the official website of the portal. | https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html | https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/PAN/ |
| 2. Click on the relevant option for new PAN card or changes or correction in PAN data. | Click on "Apply Online" under "New PAN for Indian Citizens (Form 49A)" or "Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data/Reprint of PAN Card (No changes in existing PAN Data) (CSF)" | Click on "Apply as an Indian Citizen/NRI" under "Apply for New PAN Card" or "Change/Correction in PAN Card" |
| 3. Fill in the online application form with your personal details, Aadhaar number, contact details, and income sources. | Fill in the form 49A or CSF as applicable and click on "Submit". | Fill in the form 49A or CSF as applicable and click on "Next". |
| 4. Upload the scanned copies of your Aadhaar card, signature, and photograph. | Upload the documents and click on "Proceed". | Upload the documents and click on "Submit". |
| 5. Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or e-wallet. | The fee is Rs. 93 + GST for Indian citizens and Rs. 864 + GST for NRIs. | The fee is Rs. 107 + GST for Indian citizens and Rs. 989 + GST for NRIs. |
| 6. Receive an acknowledgement number and a confirmation email or SMS. | Note down the 15-digit acknowledgement number and print the acknowledgement receipt. | Note down the 10-digit application coupon number and print the application form. |
| 7. Track the status of your application online using the acknowledgement number or coupon number. | Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html and enter your acknowledgement number. | Visit https://www.trackpan.utiitsl.com/PANONLINE/#forward and enter your coupon number. |
| 8. Receive your PAN card by post or courier within 15-20 days of applying. | You will receive an email with the dispatch details of your PAN card. | You will receive an SMS with the dispatch details of your PAN card. |
The application fee for a new PAN card or changes or correction in PAN data varies depending on whether you are an Indian citizen or an NRI, and whether you want a physical PAN card or an e-PAN card only. The payment modes available are debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or e-wallet. The table below shows the fee structure and payment modes for different categories of applicants:
| Category | Fees (excluding GST) | Payment Modes |
|---|
| Indian citizen applying for a new PAN card through NSDL portal | Rs. 93 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 72 for e-PAN card only | All modes except cash payment |
| NRI applying for a new PAN card through NSDL portal | Rs. 864 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 72 for e-PAN card only | All modes except cash payment and e-wallet |
| Indian citizen applying for changes or correction in PAN data through NSDL portal | Rs. 93 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 72 for e-PAN card only No fee if no physical PAN card is required | All modes except cash payment |
| NRI applying for changes or correction in PAN data through NSDL portal | Rs. 864 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 72 for e-PAN card only No fee if no physical PAN card is required | All modes except cash payment and e-wallet |
| Indian citizen applying for a new PAN card through UTIITSL portal | Rs. 107 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 66 for e-PAN card | All modes except cash payment |
| NRI applying for a new PAN card through UTIITSL portal | Rs. 989 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 66 for e-PAN card | All modes except cash payment and e-wallet |
| Indian citizen applying for changes or correction in PAN data through UTIITSL portal | Rs. 107 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 66 for e-PAN card No fee if no physical PAN card is required | All modes except cash payment |
| NRI applying for changes or correction in PAN data through UTIITSL portal | Rs. 989 for physical PAN card + e-PAN card Rs. 66 for e-PAN card No fee if no physical PAN card is required | All modes except cash payment and e-wallet |
An e-PAN card is an electronic version of the PAN card that can be downloaded online from the portals of NSDL, UTIITSL, or income tax e-filing. It is a PDF file that contains the same information as the physical PAN card, such as the name, date of birth, father's name, photograph, signature, and PAN of the cardholder. It also has a QR code that can be scanned to verify the authenticity of the e-PAN card.
An e-PAN card is different from a physical PAN card in the following ways:
If you have applied for a new PAN card or changes or correction in PAN data through NSDL portal, you can download your e-PAN card online by following these steps:
If you have applied for a new PAN card or changes or correction in PAN data through UTIITSL portal, you can download your e-PAN card online by following these steps:
If you have applied for a new PAN card or changes or correction in PAN data through income tax e-filing portal, you can download your e-PAN card online by following these steps:
A PAN card is a vital document for all taxpayers, businesses, and entities in India. It helps in paying taxes, getting refunds, availing government benefits, and conducting financial transactions. You can apply for and download a PAN card online easily through the portals of NSDL, UTIITSL, or income tax e-filing. You can also get an e-PAN card, which is an electronic version of the PAN card that can be accessed anytime and anywhere. An e-PAN card is as valid as a physical PAN card and can be used as an identity proof. We hope this article has helped you understand how to download a PAN card online in a few simple steps.
A1. It usually takes 15-20 days to get a physical PAN card after applying online. However, you can download your e-PAN card instantly after applying online if your application is processed.
A2. You can check the status of your PAN card application online by visiting the portals of NSDL or UTIITSL and entering your acknowledgement number or coupon number. You can also check the status of your PAN card application online by visiting the income tax e-filing portal and entering your PAN and date of birth.
A3. If you lose or damage your physical PAN card, you can apply for a reprint or duplicate of your PAN card online through the portals of NSDL or UTIITSL. You can also download your e-PAN card online from these portals or from the income tax e-filing portal.
A4. You can make changes or correction in your PAN data online by filling the CSF (Change/Correction Request Form) through the portals of NSDL or UTIITSL. You can also make changes or correction in your PAN data online by logging into the income tax e-filing portal and going to "Profile Settings" and clicking on "PAN Details".
A5. You can link your Aadhaar with your PAN online by visiting the income tax e-filing portal and clicking on "Link Aadhaar" under "Quick Links". You can also link your Aadhaar with your PAN online by sending an SMS to 567678 or 56161 in the format UIDPAN<12 digit Aadhaar><10 digit PAN>.
886882fa58