How to Get a PAN Card in India - All You Want to Know

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Recently I lost my PAN card and as it is one of the most important identity documents I had to get it anyhow. Along with the Aadhar card, PAN card is required at many places such as opening a bank account, filing your income tax returns, buying a property or a vehicle or for many other business-related activities.

So I began to get more information on how to get the PAN card. Though there are many walk-in centers to apply. I applied for one online all by myself and received it without going anywhere and without the help of an agent. In little more than 10 days I received my PAN card without any hassles.

To help many others who need a PAN card or want to get it reissued or want to change or correct details, this page will be helpful.

Sample Pan Card

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Steps For Getting Your PAN number - Online Application

1) Log on to the Tax Information Network of the Income Tax Department

• PAN New Application

The link takes you to the official website from where you can apply for a new PAN. After clicking the above link select the correct application form that applies to you. Indian citizens should select Form 49A and NRI's 49AA. For most of us, 49A would be the form that we'll have to fill. Below is the tabular form information as which form is applicable to whom. For further details please look at the table.

If you are looking to get a duplicate PAN Card then it also has the option of reprinting without any changes. Also from the same page, you can correct any information and get the new PAN card.

Selecting the Right PAN card application form

Apply With Aadhar Card - Paperless Submission

Now, you have the option of applying for PAN card without sending any documents. This is done by submitting your Aadhar number while filing the online form.

Fill the initial details and then choose the option which mentions e-signing your documents. By this, you'll be saved by the hassles of printing the form and sending documents via courier. The PAN card is dispatched to your Aadhar address. So, if the address in the Aadhar is correct (no changes) then this option is good.

2) Fill the form with complete details

Filling the form is self-explanatory and there are general details to fill. If you want more information on filling the form then make sure to click the guidelines and instruction link at the top of the webpage of the online form from the official website.

Only finding the AO code is a bit of a headache but you can do it provided if you follow the instructions correctly and I will also give you a trick in the next point to find the correct AO code.

Important Points While Filling the Form

• Use the correct form for applying.
• Application to be filled in BLOCK letters and with black ink only.
• Initials are not permitted on the first and last name. Applicant's proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth should contain the exact name mentioned in this field.
• A prefix like Shri, Smt, Kumari, Late, Dr, CA, Ms, Mr, Mrs, M/s, Alias etc. are not allowed.
• One should not mention husband's name in place of father's name. Meaning even if a lady is married she cannot write her husband's name it should only and only be father's name.
• A photograph should be recent and only color photos are allowed. Paste your photo and do not use staple pins as the form is processed with the help of a scanner. And the staple is a hindrance to this activity which may result in rejecting your form.
• The signature should be made only within the box. If signature can't be done then thumb impression is allowed but you'll have to get it attested by a Magistrate or a Gazetted officer with official seal and the signature of the officer.
• Mention correct address with PIN or Zip code.
• Mention correct telephone/mobile number with email ID. Email ID is important as further correspondence is through emails.
• No data should be overwritten or crossed. This may result in rejecting your application.

3) Find the appropriate AO Code

The most tricky part in filling the application form online is selecting the right AO code. AO code is the assessing officer code. The code is a combination of the area code, type, range code, and the AO number.

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While submitting the online form for a new PAN card the first information that you have to select is the AO code. You can select the AO code at the top end of the form which is divided into two types viz. first is for Indian citizens and firms etc in India and the second one for people under International taxation (NRI's and foreigners).

For more information on AO codes head to this page.

https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan2/servlet/AOSearch

Click the appropriate link and select the applicable city and then there are the codes to select. Oftentimes it is very confusing as to which one is applicable. If there are only one or two codes for your applicable city then it is easy to select one but if there are many it becomes very difficult to find the correct one. But there is no other way to do this you'll have to read the details and find the appropriate one.

One other trick here is if any of your family members is already having his/her card then you can search their AO code online and most probably the same will be applicable to you as well. If you live in the same city then you can be certain that the AO code is correct as it depends on the city of residence.

To find the AO code on the basis of someone from your family having a PAN number. Just go to this link. Fill the PAN number and it shows the AO code for your jurisdiction.

https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan2/servlet/AOSearch

For international applicants, you can select the default code and proceed to submit.

And if you are getting the card reissued or are making any corrections then AO is not necessary.

4) Submit the form and proceed to pay the fees

If you have filled all the columns then you can proceed to pay the required fees. If you get any warnings then check the error and submit the correct data and proceed to pay via the online payment gateway.

Payments can be done online via credit card, debit card, and online money transfer and also via Demand draft and cheque.

If you are paying via Demand draft (DD) or cheque then make it in the name of NSDL - PAN payable at Mumbai. Cheques should be of local clearing and you can drop it at any HDFC bank branches mentioning NSDLPAN on the deposit slip.

But I say why the hassle of DD or cheque proceed via your debit or credit card. And for those who can't pay online, it is best to go to any facilitation centers and submit the form there where the fees can be paid as cash.

Fees for New/Duplicate/Changes in PAN card

5) Print the form sign it and courier it to NSDL

Submit the form, pay the processing fees, and get the acknowledgment number. This number is important as for further inquiries of your application you’ll have to quote it.

Attach Xerox copies of the documents such as proof of identity, address, and date of birth. If you are making any changes or reissuing your card then you’ll have to provide a copy of the PAN card as well. But if you have all the documents in place then officials re-issue it on a good-effort basis.

For Individuals : Documents that qualify as POI, POA, and PODB

For Companies, Firms, LLPs, Trust, Association of persons, Body of Individuals, Local authority or Artificial Juridical Person : Documents that qualify as POI and POA

Print the form and also sign the Xerox copies and get yourself an envelope (any normal brown envelope would be fine). Now you have the option to send it via courier or you can use Indian post to send your form. Any national courier company like Bluedart, DTDC, Professional, First Flight etc. will do the job.

Address To Send Your Application : Courier or Post it

To :

Income Tax PAN Services Unit,

NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited,

5th floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341,

Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony,

Near Deep Bungalow Chowk,

Pune - 411016

Superscribe Your Application

Superscribing means is to write your application number on the envelope just besides the address where you are sending it.

You can write in this format -

For New : Application For PAN 123456789101112

For Reissuing : Reissue Of PAN 123456789101112

For NRI PAN : New NRI PAN 123456789101112

Now sit back and relax. After 4-5 working days, you will receive an email (if you have given one) stating your request is in the process and your documents are getting verified.

Below are the emails that I received while the application was being processed. I must say the whole process is being done very smoothly.

Once Your Courier is Received You'll Get this Confirmation Mail From TIN

Dear Sir / Madam,

We have received your PAN application documents for above application on November 20, 2014. These documents will be subject to verification and the status of verification will be intimated to you (by e-mail) in next three working days.

Regards,

TIN-Online

Once Your Documents are Verified You'll Get a Confirmation Mail Like This

Dear Sir / Madam,

With regard to verification of your above mentioned application and PAN application documents, we would like to inform you that the documents received on November 20, 2014, are found to be in order during preliminary verification.

Application data for PAN XYZAB1234W will be compared with Income Tax Department's database.

Discrepancies, if any, observed during the aforesaid verification of PAN data will be informed to you separately.

Regards,

TIN-Online

Once Everything is Okay You'll Get This Email as an Intimation of Dispatch

Dear XYZ,

Your request for reprint of PAN Card / correction or change in particulars on PAN Card has been processed.

Your reprinted PAN card will be delivered at the address for communication

indicated by you.

Income Tax Department

Checking Status Online

• PAN card status check from the website
  Visit the above link to check the status of your PAN Card. Just key in the 15 digit acknowledgement number and you'll get the status.

PAN Status Via SMS

Steps For Applying Par Card - Offline Application via TIN Facilitation Centers

Although getting a PAN card online is simple but if you want to get it via a physical center then that is easy too. Walk in with your documents and a passport size photograph to any one of the thousand PAN centers that are available.

To find the nearest center from your place visit this link: Find PAN center. Select your state and city to get a list of centers.

Lost Your Card ? Get it Reissued or Make Corrections

Steps for reissuing your card is same as getting a new one. The only difference is to click the "Reprint Card" or "Changes or Corrections in PAN details".

NRI PAN Card or PAN Number for Foreigners

If you are an NRI or a foreigner applying then the only difference is you should select the form 49AA. The fees for dispatching the card overseas is a bit high for obvious reasons.

© 2014 Kannan

Do You Have any Questions : Ask in the Comments Section I Will Answer Them

Kannan (author) from Mumbai on January 09, 2020:

Please write to the authorities via this form....https://www.tin-nsdl.com/customerfeedback.html Hopefully they will have the answer.

Srinivas on January 07, 2020:

WE , a Regd Society applied for duplicate card as the original was lost. We are not in a position to know what mobile number was given at the time of first application . Several office bearers have changed over the period.. Now the authorities are asking for OTP said to have been sent . We are not able to answer. Can you please guide.

Rajput Hardev from Ahmedabad on December 06, 2019:

Thanks brother

Julee on January 04, 2019:

I am not a citizen of India and do not hold Indian passport . But bank account NRI account needed a PAN . How do I apply for one.

Thanks

Kannan (author) from Mumbai on July 23, 2018:

Please contact your local post office.

Asharaf on July 22, 2018:

My card has been issued but returned undelivered to Mumbai office . How can I get it ?

Lovely Sharma from New Delhi on March 14, 2017:

Actually getting PAN card for NRIs is not easy. Your article is really helpful.

Trust on April 20, 2016:

In my case, I just received documents in Order mail. I will let you know when ever I receive the Dispatch Information.

Kannan (author) from Mumbai on January 05, 2015:

@Siddharth Agarwal In my example I received documents in order mail on 26-11-2014 (Friday) and the dispatch information was received on the next day 27-11-2014 (Saturday). So it took only 1 working day for me. Generally it may take about 2-4 days going by how our government (or its subsidiaries) work.

Hope this helps.

Siddharth Agarwal on January 05, 2015:

I would like to know the: what is the timeline between the two emails of documents in order and dispatch intimation.