In India, every taxpayer is allotted a ten-digit unique identification number by the Income Tax Department in the form of PAN. This permanent account number (PAN) is used for storing all the tax-related information of the concerned taxpayer. In fact, it is also mandatory for certain high-value transactions like booking fixed deposits above Rs. 50,000. To keep up with the digital transformation, the Indian government allows taxpayers to apply for a PAN Card online. The entire process is digitised to help make applying for a PAN Card easy and hassle-free.
Ways to apply for a PAN Card online
You may need your PAN Card to complete various transactions like making high-value purchases from online marketplaces and offline stores. Therefore, you must understand how to apply for one. There are two primary ways of applying for a PAN Card online. Both offer online and offline document submission convenience. Once your documents and application are verified and PAN is generated, your PAN Card will be sent to your registered email ID and residential address within 15 days.
1. Via the Protean website
- Open the Protean (formerly NSDL) website on your web browser.
- Under the ‘Services’ section, click on the ‘PAN’ option.
- Choose the relevant application form: ‘New PAN – Indian Citizen (From 49)’ or ‘New PAN – Foreign Citizen (Form 49AA)’ and click on the ‘Apply Now’ option.
- Select your application type and category.
- Fill-in relevant information like your name, DOB, email ID, and mobile number and click ‘Submit’.
- Click on the ‘Continue With PAN Application Form’ option.
- Choose a convenient mode of document submission. The Protean portal offers three options: digital submission through e-KYC and e-sign, scanned uploads, or physical document forwarding.
- Select a preferred PAN Card mode (pick the physical option if you would like a physical copy of your PAN Card to be sent to your address).
- Complete the 4-part online PAN application form by inputting details like your name, date of birth, assessing officer code, contact details, etc. Click ‘Next’ to proceed to the next step.
- Upload the identity, address, and DOB proof documents you have chosen to verify your PAN application and submit the form.
- Pay the PAN Card application fee to receive a 15-digit acknowledgement number.
2. Via the UTIITSL platform
- Go to the UTIITSL website and select the PAN Services tab.
- Click on the Apply for PAN option and select the relevant application type: ‘PAN Card for Indian/NRI’ or ‘PAN Card for Foreign Citizen’
- Select the ‘Apply for PAN’ option under the relevant form.
- Pick a convenient form submission mode. If you want to submit a signed copy of your application to the nearest UTIITSL centre, choose the ‘Physical Mode’ option. If you prefer online submission with Aadhaar-based e-signature or the DSC mode, choose the ‘Digital Mode’.
- Select your preferred PAN mode (digital/physical), your relevant applicant status, and click on the Submit button.
- Input details like your name, DOB, gender, address, contact, and parent details. Upload scanned copies of the identity, age, and address proof documents you have chosen to verify the application and submit the form.
- Complete the PAN application fee payment online using NEFT, netbanking, UPI, or a debit/credit card and make a note of your 9-digit coupon number.
Apply for an instant e-PAN through the e-filing portal
To simplify the process of PAN Card application online, the Indian government now allows you to apply for a new PAN through the e-filing platform. If you have a valid Aadhaar number, you can apply for an e-PAN online without going through the hassles of filling up a lengthy form. The e-filing portal uses your Aadhaar number to fetch details directly from UIDAI and verify the same, ensuring instant PAN generation in just 10 minutes. Let’s have a look at the steps for e-PAN application via the e-filing portal:
- Head to the e-filing portal’s homepage.
- Locate and click on the ‘Instant e-PAN’ option.
- Click on ‘Get New e-PAN’ and enter your unique twelve-digit Aadhaar number.
- Click the ‘Continue’ button to proceed.
- Read the terms and conditions and check the corresponding box to proceed with OTP verification. Click on the ‘Continue’ button.
- Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
- You will see a UIDAI-based verification box. Tick the box to allow the e-filing portal access to your Aadhaar data on the UIDAI database. Click ‘Continue’.
- You will find the application form already pre-filled with your personal details. Remember these details will be exactly as presented on your Aadhaar Card.
- Select the ‘Validate Email’ option to verify your email ID and click ‘Continue’.
- Submit the form to receive an acknowledgement number and confirmation message.
Conclusion
Not only can you apply for a PAN Card online, you can even choose among various application platforms. You can apply for a PAN Card through the Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL websites by manually filling up the application form. Alternatively, you can apply for an Aadhaar-based e-PAN on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal to eliminate the hassles of filling up the form manually and waiting up to 15 days to receive your PAN. Since your PAN is essential for everything – be it taking a home loan from an NBFC or opening a Demat account – the earlier you apply for it, the better it is.