Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card Download

What is a PAN Card?

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a unique, ten-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India. It is used for tracking financial transactions and preventing tax evasion. Every individual, company, or entity that pays taxes in India must have a PAN card.

A PAN looks like this: ABCDE1234F, where:

• The first five characters are letters.
• The next four characters are numbers.
• The last character is a letter.

Importance of PAN Card

The PAN card is not just for income tax filing. It is used in many financial and legal transactions, including:

• Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR)
• Opening a bank account
• Applying for a credit or debit card
• Investing in stocks or mutual funds
• Purchasing or selling property
• Applying for loans
• Foreign exchange transactions
• Deposits above ₹50,000
• Buying gold above ₹2 lakhs

Without a PAN card, many financial services may be denied or penalized.

Types of PAN Cards

There are different types of PAN cards issued to various entities:

1. Individual – For salaried or self-employed individuals.
2. Company – For registered companies.
3. Firms/LLPs – For partnerships and LLPs.
4. HUF (Hindu Undivided Family) – For families with joint finances.
5. Trusts – For registered charitable organizations.
6. Societies and Associations – For non-profit organizations.

Who Can Download a PAN Card?

Anyone who has applied for a PAN and has been allotted a PAN number can download the e-PAN, a digitally signed PAN card that is equally valid as the physical PAN card.

What is e-PAN?

An e-PAN is the electronic version of a PAN card. It is issued in PDF format by the Income Tax Department and can be downloaded online. It carries the same value as the physical card and is recognized by all financial institutions and government bodies.

Eligibility to Download PAN Card Online

You can download your PAN card if:

• You applied for PAN via NSDL (now Protean eGov) or UTIITSL.
• Your PAN is already allotted.
• Your mobile number or email is registered with Aadhaar or your PAN application.
• You have your acknowledgment number or PAN number available.

Ways to Download PAN Card Online

There are two primary portals through which PAN cards can be downloaded:

1. NSDL (Protean eGov Technologies Ltd) – for PANs applied through NSDL.
2. UTIITSL – for PANs applied through UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Ltd.

Additionally, you can also download e-PAN through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing website if your PAN is linked with Aadhaar.

Steps to Download PAN Card via NSDL Portal

1. Visit: https://www.tin-nsdl.com
2. Go to the “Download e-PAN Card” section.
3. Enter your Acknowledgment Number or PAN and Date of Birth.
4. Complete the OTP verification sent to your registered mobile number/email.
5. After successful verification, you can download your e-PAN in PDF format.

Note: First-time download is free. For reprints, charges may apply.

Steps to Download PAN Card via UTIITSL Portal

1. Visit: https://www.pan.utiitsl.com
2. Click on ‘Download e-PAN’.
3. Enter your PAN, Date of Birth, and Captcha code.
4. Authenticate using OTP sent to your mobile or email.
5. You can then download the e-PAN.

Steps to Download PAN Card via Income Tax Portal (e-Filing Website)

1. Visit: https://www.incometax.gov.in
2. Go to “Our Services” > “Instant e-PAN”.
3. Click on “Check Status / Download PAN”.
4. Enter your Aadhaar Number.
5. Verify with OTP sent to the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
6. You can now download the e-PAN if it was generated via Aadhaar.

Charges for Downloading e-PAN

• First-time issue and download: Free
• Reprint or re-download (after a few attempts): ₹8.26 (NSDL) or ₹8.50 (UTIITSL) including GST

Key Details Present in PAN Card

A typical PAN card contains:

• PAN Number
• Full Name of the PAN holder
• Father’s Name (for individuals)
• Date of Birth (or Date of Incorporation for companies)
• Photograph and Signature (for individuals)
• QR code (for verification)
• Issuing authority

These details are also embedded in the e-PAN PDF.

Security Features of e-PAN

• Digitally signed by the Income Tax Department
• Contains a secure QR code
• PDF is password protected
• Same legal validity as physical PAN card

Password to open PDF: Date of birth in DDMMYYYY format

Common Errors While Downloading PAN Card

1. PAN not found: Ensure correct details are entered.
2. Mobile/email not linked: Update mobile/email through PAN correction.
3. OTP not received: Check for network issues or try again later.
4. e-PAN not available for old PAN: Older PAN cards might not be available as e-PAN. In such cases, apply for reprint.

What to Do If You Can’t Download e-PAN?

• Check if your PAN is valid using the PAN verification tool.
• Ensure your mobile/email is updated and linked.
• If needed, apply for reprint or correction using the PAN correction form on NSDL/UTIITSL.
• For help, contact:
  • NSDL Helpdesk: 020-27218080
  • UTIITSL Helpdesk: 1800-220-306

Tips and Reminders

• Always verify PAN details before downloading.
• Keep your PAN card safe and confidential.
• e-PAN is valid for digital use such as uploading in IT return, linking to bank accounts, etc.
• Keep a soft copy on your phone or email for emergencies.
• e-PAN is accepted for KYC purposes by most banks and institutions.

Conclusion

The PAN card is a vital document for every Indian citizen involved in financial transactions. With the convenience of e-PAN, downloading your PAN card has become a quick and easy process. Whether you’re applying for a new PAN or just need a digital copy, you can use the NSDL, UTIITSL, or Income Tax portal to download it within minutes. The process is secure, efficient, and recognized across India for all official purposes.

Maintaining a digital copy of your PAN card ensures you’re never stuck in a situation where you need to prove your financial identity and don’t have the physical card handy.