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Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card
What It Is:
A 10-character alphanumeric unique identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India in the form of a laminated plastic card or digitally signed e-PAN.
Dispatched by India Post directly to applicant's address via Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL, or downloaded instantly online as e-PAN.
Income Tax Department, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India
Income Tax e-Filing Portal / Protean (NSDL) / UTIITSL
Official Purpose & Who Generally Needs It
Primary financial and tax identification number used to track tax payments, file income tax returns (ITR), open bank accounts, buy/sell immovable property above specified thresholds, and invest in mutual funds and securities.
- Any individual or entity earning taxable income in India
- Anyone required to file an Annual Income Tax Return
- Individuals opening bank accounts, demat accounts, or applying for credit cards
- Businesses, LLPs, partnership firms, and companies operating in India
Common Supporting Documents Required
General statutory proofs accepted across state and central application gateways.
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card (EPIC)
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Arm's license with photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- Utility bill (electricity, piped gas, landline)
- Bank account passbook/statement
- Credit card statement
- Aadhaar Card
- Birth Certificate
- Matriculation Certificate
- Passport
General Application & Issuance Process
Standard operational workflow for obtaining Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card via designated channels.
Online Application Submission
Apply online via Form 49A on the Protean (NSDL), UTIITSL, or Instant e-PAN facility on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
e-KYC Verification or Document Upload
Authenticate instantly using Aadhaar OTP (paperless e-KYC) or upload scanned copies of Proof of Identity, Address, and Date of Birth.
Application Acknowledgement
Receive a 15-digit acknowledgement number to track processing status online.
Verification & PAN Allocation
Income Tax authorities verify the details and generate the 10-digit alphanumeric permanent account number.
e-PAN Issuance & Physical Card Dispatch
Download the digitally signed e-PAN immediately via email or portal; physical card is mailed to the residential address.
Related Public Online Services
Related Government Departments & Ministries
All DepartmentsIncome Tax Department (CBDT)
The Income Tax Department is a premier central agency responsible for administering direct taxation laws in India, primarily the Income-tax Act, 1961, functioning under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
View Department Profile →MinistriesMinistry of Finance (FinMin)
The Ministry of Finance is an executive ministry of the Government of India concerned with the economy of India, serving as the central treasury department. It manages state finances, central taxes, financial institutions, capital markets, and national budget preparation.
View Department Profile →Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Clarifications
Q: Can one person hold more than one PAN card?
No. Holding more than one PAN is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act 1961 and can attract a penalty of up to Rs. 10,000. Duplicate cards must be surrendered.
Q: What is Instant e-PAN?
Instant e-PAN is a paperless, digitally signed PAN card issued free of cost within minutes based on Aadhaar e-KYC through the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Q: Is PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory?
Yes. The Income Tax Department mandates linking PAN with Aadhaar for all eligible tax assessees; an unlinked PAN becomes inoperative for filing returns or carrying out banking transactions.