Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a mode of an Individual's identification in India. It is a unique alphanumeric identification number. It is an information store for all the citizens of the country. The structure of PAN is ABCDE1234F- where the first five characters are letters; next four characters are numbers and the last character is a letter.

The nature of PAN usage is similar to the National Insurance Number in the UK. The National Insurance number in the UK is a 10-digit numeric code that is a mandatory identification requirement for working in UK. It can also help the owner to gain additional benefits.

An interesting feature of PAN is its validity. A PAN card is valid till lifetime. So even if you change your residential address, your PAN card will be valid.

PAN card services provided by TIN-NSDL

• Facility to apply for PAN card online
• Reprint PAN card with revised details, i.e, PAN correction
• PAN status enquiry

How to submit PAN card application online

Indian residents can apply for PAN online by submitting Form 49A which is available on the TIN-NSDL website. The following details are required in order to fill the PAN application form online:

• Full name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Details of parents
• Details of residential and office address
• Marital status of the applicant
• Contact details of the applicant
• Source of income
• Name and address of the assessee
• Proof of identity an address
• Signature/left thumb impression

How to make an online payment via TIN NSDL

If you’re a resident of India, you can make an online payment via TIN NSDL website using any of the following modes-

• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Netbanking
• Demand Draft

(For delivering PAN card in India, the fee is 110 and for delivery of PAN card outside India the fee is 1020)

If the payment made is successful, an acknowledgement will be displayed on the screen. The following information will be displayed on the screen-

15-digit unique PAN acknowledgement code

• Category of the PAN applicant
• Applicant’s Name
• Applicant’s father’s name
• Date of Birth/ Incorporation of the individual/company
• Payment details
• Aadhar Number
• Details of identity and address proof

If you’re not a resident of India, you  can apply for PAN online by filling up the form 49AA. You’ll be required to fill up the following details in order to complete the application process-

• AO code
• Full name
• Gender
• Date of Birth/Date of Incorporation
• Details of parents
• Residential and office address
• Telephone number and e-mail ID
• Status of the applicant
• Registration number
• Source of income
• Name and address of the representative assesses
• ISD of country of citizenship

How to file corrections in PAN card online

The details required to file corrections in PAN via TIN NSDL website are-

• Full name
• Name (as desired on the PAN card)
• Date of birth/incorporation of the individual/company
• Details of photo/address/signature mismatch
• Telephone number and e-mail ID
• Aadhar number
• Details of any other PAN which is alloted to an individual
• Signature/left thumb impression

Payment procedure for NSDL PAN card correction form

• Once the relevant form is printed, you need to affix photographs on the form
• If you’re paying by Demand Draft, attach the receipt with the form
• Attach copies of your identity and resident proof
• Sign the document
• Put the form and required documents in the envelope labelled ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN CORRECTION REQUEST’ along with your 15-digit acknowledgement number
• Ensure that the application form reached within 15 days of filling up the online application form
• On successful processing, your PAN card will be dispatched within 15 days of application

How to track NSDL PAN Application Status

• Visit NSDL PAN/TAN status tracking portal
• Select ‘application type’
• Enter your 15-digit PAN acknowledgement number
• Enter your name and date of birth
• Click on ‘submit’
• Your PAN application status will be viewed