PAN Card: What is it, Full Form, Application Process, and Significance! 

A 2025 report says 45 Crore Indians have issued PAN cards, but most of us still don’t know why we need them, how to apply for them, or their impact on financial activities. 

Consider Neha. She is a 30-year-old freelance writer working in Surat. She has just accepted an international project from the United States. Excited to earn foreign currency, she tries to open a foreign payment gateway to receive funds. But she gets stuck—you know why? She failed to update her PAN details. She ignored the silent power of the 10-digit alphanumeric code that steers your financial ecosystem. 

It doesn’t matter if you are a student, salaried employee, CEO, or a retired official- use of PAN card isn’t just to show government ID. It’s your go-to financial signature. 

But what is the PAN full form? Its definition? Why should Aadhaar and PAN be linked? – Stay tuned as we decode every layer. 

What is PAN Card in Simple Words? 

The PAN card is an ID proof issued to every Indian citizen by the Income Tax Department. It depicts a 10-digit code known as a Permanent Account Number (PAN). 

PAN Card India is your financial identity that keeps a track of your every transaction. Doesn’t matter if you are salaried, investor, someone buying a property, or tax payer- it forms the crux of your financial activity. 

Think of it to be your Financial Aadhaar! While an Aadhaar card displays who you are, PAN card records what you do with your money. 

PAN Evolution: A Quick Recap! 

PAN card has walked great milestones right from being a paper-based ID to a powerful financial asset. It was born to be just a tax tracking number and today, it forms the backbone of our financial identity. Check out the below image to see how PAN has evolved.

What Does a PAN Card Contain: Overview! 

1. Cardholder Name: It represents the name of the person, partnership firm, or business to which the card is issued. 
2. Cardholder’s Parent Name: This field applies only to the PAN Cards issued to individuals where mother or father name can be specified. 
3. Birth Date: This field required either the individual’s date of birth or a business’s registration date for which the card is issued. 
4. PAN Number: It refers to a 10-digit alphanumeric number where every entity depicts details about the cardholder. 
5. Signature: This field only caters to individuals and not entities. It facilitates to ID proof for the authorized PAN Card user’s signature which form the basis of every monetary activity. 

Photograph: For individuals who have issued the Permanent Account Number Card, there photograph is present on the card. For companies, it isn’t there.

PAN Structure: What Every Digit Means? 

PAN full form is Permanent Account Number, which depicts a 10-digit alphanumeric code encapsulating details of the cardholder. Here’s what the code means: 

1. The initial 3 alphabets: These are the random three letters from AAA to ZZZ and have nothing to do with the PAN holder’s identity. 
2. The 4^th Alphabet: It depicts the tax-paying individual’s category. Check out the ones mentioned below. 

1. The 5^th Alphabet: It depicts the initial of the cardholder, i.e. the person’s surname. 
2. Characters from 6-9: These are solely numeric and depict numbers from 0 to 9. 
3. The Last element: It’s an alphabetic check character. 

PAN Card Apply: 2 Ways to Crack the Process! 

There are two ways you can apply which are Online and offline. Let’s get down into detail and see how to apply for a new PAN Card. 

1. How to Apply for a PAN Card Online?
   • NSDL Portal 

• Access the NSDL portal. 
• Choose the type of PAN Card form, select the type, insert all the information, and submit the form. 
• You can see a token number message on your screen, which is also mailed to the registered ID. Now, hit the button – Continue with PAN Card Form. 
• Choose the document submission method and add details if you need a physical copy of the PAN. Fill in all the details in the PAN Card form and upload the requested papers. 
• Submit the fees and download the receipt to have proof of acknowledgement and reference IDs. 

• UTIITSL
  • Navigate to the UTIITSL platform. 
  • Hit on “Click to Apply” below Indian citizen/ NRI or Foreign Citizen labels. 
  • Choose ‘Apply for New PAN Card’ 
  • Choose the document uploading method, candidate status, PAN mode, and proceed. 
  • The reference ID will be displayed on your screen. Click ‘Okay’ 
  • Enter all the required information and take a step ahead. 
  • Time to upload a copy of the papers and ‘Submit’
  • Verify the information and pay the fees. 
  • Once the payment is done, download the acknowledgement form. Post the form and document to one of the UTIITSL offices located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and New Delhi. Once they receive the documents, you will get your PAN Card within 15-20 days. 

2. How to Apply for a PAN Card Offline? 
   • Get PAN Card form from the official center or download form 49A/ 49AA for citizens of India and foreigners respectively. 
   • Write all the requested information, attach a recent colored photo, and your signature with it. 
   • Navigate to the nearest centre, submit the PAN Card form as well as official document copies, and pay the fees. 

How to Track PAN Card Status? Get the Easiest Way!

There are multiple ways to track PAN Card status, but let’s narrow it down to the easiest way. 

1. Call
   1. Get the PAN Card status by calling on the TIN call centre contacts.
      1. 020-27218080 (available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM on all 7 days)
      2. 08069708080 (24 hours)

2. Once you call, check your acknowledgment receipt, and share the number of PAN applications. 

2. SMS 
   1. Send an SMS on NSDL PAN to 57575 by sharing the acknowledgement number to check the PAN Card Status. 
   2. You will receive the status on your registered mobile number. 

Is PAN Card Free of Cost in India? Let’s Check How Much It Costs to Apply for a New One! 

Which Type of PAN Card do you need?	How is Your PAN Card Form Submitted?	Fees include all taxes
You Need a Physical PAN Card	You have applied for PAN through a TIN centres/ PAN centres or online portal by submitting the documents at the centre	Rs. 107
You need a Physical PAN Card	You have carried online submission of PAN details and documents	Rs. 101
You don’t need a Physical PAN Card and request for a e-PAN	You have applied for PAN through a TIN centres/ PAN centres or online portal by submitting the documents at the centre	Rs. 72
You don’t need a Physical PAN Card and request for a e-PAN	You have carried online submission of PAN details and documents	Rs. 66

Why Do You Need a PAN Card?

Let’s Conclude! 

Today’s rapidly changing digital economy doesn’t need PAN Card only to track your taxes. It opens the gateway to a seamless financial activity. Right from accepting payments in different currencies to investing a property, use of PAN Card extends beyond limits. 

Doesn’t matter if you are student or a professional, keeping your PAN Card India updated becomes crucial to align with the country’s financial guidelines. It is the primary document you need to submit for every important financial task. 

Have more queries? Drop them below and get answered asap! 

FAQs on PAN Card 

1. How can I check my PAN Aadhaar Link? 
   • Navigate to the e-filing portal on the home page. 
   • Check out the quickly accessible links and click on Aadhaar status. 
   • Enter PAN and Aadhaar number and hit View Aadhaar Link Status. 
   • Once it’s validated successfully, you can find the status update on your screen. 

2. Is a PAN Card available for those below 18? 

People believe the use of PAN cards is only for the ones above 18. But the government has not highlighted any age limit to issue the card. 

3. How can I check my PAN card Number by Aadhaar Number? 

• Navigate to the e-filing online portal homepage and hit instant e-PAN. 
• Now, click on check status or download the PAN tab. 
• Enter 12-digit Aadhaar number, click continue, and here’s your PAN Card. 

4. What documents do you need for a PAN card apply? 

Share a copy of below documents:

• Voter ID 
• Passport 
• Aadhaar Card 
• Ration card with issuer’s photo 
• Driving Licence 
• Photo IDs applicable for all government bodies. 
• A certificate issued by the bank with the applicant’s photo and account number. 
• Pensioner card for pension holders

5. Who Needs a PAN Card? 

All the individuals paying taxes, companies, trusts, as well as Hindu Undivided Families. 

6. Who is eligible for a PAN Card? 

Indian citizens, NRIs, businesses, partnership firms, and trusts are eligible to apply for PAN Card India. 

7. What are the Types of PAN cards? 

• Individuals consisting of both minors and students
• Hindu Undivided Families 
• Businesses 
• Partnership Firms 
• Limited Liability Partnership 
• Trust 
• Society 
• Body of Individuals 
• Association of Persons 
• Foreigners 

8. Can I get a PAN card in 2 days? 

No, you can avail a physical PAN card in 48 hours, it takes at least 15 days.