PAN Card Apply

A PAN (Permanent Account Number) card is a 10-character alphanumeric ID issued by the Income Tax Department, valid across India for life. Punjab Saathi helps you apply for a new PAN card, or request a correction/reprint of an existing one, through the official Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL) / UTIITSL application process — we assist with the application; the PAN card itself is issued only by the Income Tax Department.

What Is a PAN Card and Why You Need One

PAN is India's primary financial identity number, required well beyond just tax filing: opening a bank or demat account, any cash transaction or deposit above ₹50,000, buying or selling property, purchasing a vehicle, investing in mutual funds or shares, applying for a loan or credit card, and foreign currency exchange above certain limits. Without a valid PAN, banks and financial institutions are required to deduct tax (TDS) at a higher rate on your transactions.

How Punjab Saathi Helps You

• Fill your PAN application form accurately to avoid rejections due to mismatched details
• Guide you on which form and category applies to you (new PAN, correction, or reprint)
• Check your documents and photo/signature before submission
• Track your application status and share updates with you

PAN 2.0 — The New QR-Code PAN Explained

The government's PAN 2.0 project, approved by the Cabinet in late 2024, is rolling out PAN cards with a dynamic QR code that stores your live cardholder details — enabling faster verification for banks, brokers, and employers. Most newly issued and reprinted PAN cards now include this QR code. If you already hold a PAN, you don't need to apply for a new one — the upgrade to a QR-code card is free and happens automatically on your next reprint or correction request. A unified PAN portal (bringing Protean, UTIITSL, and the Income Tax e-filing portal together) is being rolled out in phases.

New PAN, Correction, or Reprint — Which Do You Need?

These are the three separate categories on the application form, and picking the right one matters. New PAN is only for someone who has never been allotted a PAN before — every individual is legally allowed only one PAN, and holding more than one is a punishable offence. Correction is for fixing incorrect details on your existing PAN — name spelling, date of birth, photo, or father's/parents' name. Reprint is for a lost, damaged, or undelivered card where your existing PAN number and details stay exactly the same, and doubles as how most people get the free PAN 2.0 QR-code upgrade.

Documents Required — Identity, Address & Date of Birth Proof

Every PAN application needs documents in three categories: Proof of Identity (POI), Proof of Address (POA), and Proof of Date of Birth. Aadhaar can cover all three at once if your details on it are current and correct — this is why it's the simplest starting point for most applicants. If your Aadhaar address is outdated, a separate address proof and a birth/10th certificate for date of birth may be needed instead.

Is Your PAN Still Active? Check This

PAN cards not linked to Aadhaar have become inoperative after the government's linking deadline passed — an inoperative PAN can block your income tax filing, delay refunds, and trigger higher TDS deduction on your transactions. If you're not sure whether yours is linked, this is worth checking and fixing before it affects you, and there is a fee to relink an inoperative PAN.

Did You Know a Free Option Exists?

If you don't already have a PAN and your Aadhaar has a linked, active mobile number, you may be able to get a free Instant e-PAN yourself directly on the Income Tax e-filing portal in a few minutes — no fee, no paperwork. Our paid service is for everyone else: those who need a physical card, a correction to an existing PAN, don't qualify for instant e-PAN, or would simply rather not deal with the portal themselves.

PAN Card for Minors

A PAN can be issued to a minor (under 18), applied for and signed by a parent or legal guardian on their behalf, using the guardian's photo and signature on the form. It's commonly needed when a minor is named in property, investments, or is a nominee on certain financial accounts. Once the minor turns 18, a fresh application for a photo/signature update is recommended, since the original card won't carry their own signature.

Important Information to Know

• Document requirements can vary depending on your age, category (individual, minor, NRI), and current Income Tax Department / Protean-UTIITSL guidelines — we'll confirm exactly what's needed for your case.
• Your father's/parents' name is a compulsory field on the PAN application form for individual applicants, as per Income Tax rules.
• Holding more than one PAN is illegal — if you've accidentally been allotted two, one needs to be surrendered.
• Punjab Saathi assists with filling and submitting your application only. PAN allotment and issuance are handled entirely by the Income Tax Department through Protean eGov (NSDL) / UTIITSL.

1. Choose Your Application Type — Decide between a fresh PAN, a correction, or a reprint based on your situation.
2. Fill the Application Online — Complete Form 49A/49AA with accurate personal and parent details.
3. Upload Documents and Pay the Fee — Submit your ID/address proof, photo, and signature, then pay the applicable fee.
4. Get Your Acknowledgement Number — Use this number to track your application status going forward.
5. Receive Your PAN Card — Your card is dispatched by post once the Income Tax Department approves your application.

• Any Indian citizen who does not already have a PAN card
• Individuals who need to correct details on an existing PAN (name, date of birth, photo, etc.)
• Applicants who need a reprint of their PAN card (lost, damaged, not received, or to get the new PAN 2.0 QR-code card)
• Minors, applied for through a parent or guardian
• NRIs and foreign citizens requiring an Indian PAN (via Form 49AA)