The PAN card is one of the most important documents in India. Usually, Indians prefer to apply for a duplicate PAN card in case they happen to lose their card. That, however, turns out to be a more tedious process and leads to further complications and even costs relatively a whole lot. 

PAN stands for Permanent Account Number and is basically a ten-digit number that is unique to every cardholder. The number is in ‘alphanumeric’ terms, meaning it’s a combination of both alphabets and numbers. It is issued by the Income Tax department and contains personal information like your name, date of birth, and address.

Some of the most important uses of PAN card are:

  • While filing IT returns

A PAN card is absolutely essential when an individual or organization files their IT returns. Without it, you can’t move forward with the filing.

  • When making investments

Investing is necessary for financial freedom. There are lots of different kinds of securities you can invest in, with each having its own pros and cons. Before investing a certain amount, you will need to furnish your PAN details though. The same thing is applicable when purchasing jewellery valued at over ₹5,00,000.

  • When availing loans

Banks and other financial institutions won’t trust you with their money simply on your words. They’ll demand a lot of documents, including your PAN card.

  • At foreign exchanges

When you’re travelling overseas, you’ll need the currency of the country you’re going to. When exchanging your Indian currency for foreign currency, the exchange bureau, bank or other institution will ask for your PAN details.

When can you apply for a duplicate PAN card?

Duplicate PAN cards are issued in the following cases:

  • It has been lost or misplaced

This is probably the most common reason why people apply for reprinting of their PAN card. It’s quite small in size, so it’s pretty easy to misplace.

  • It has been damaged

Like all other cards, the PAN card is also subject to wear and tear. It can get damaged due to age, improper use or exposure to harmful chemicals.

  • The information has changed

Personal details, like your address, can change from time to time. When this happens, you need the same thing to reflect on your PAN card, and this is why many people send it for reprinting.

What documents are required when applying for a duplicate PAN card?

A whole list of documents is needed, along with the application form, when applying for a duplicate PAN card on TIN-NSDL’s official website. Ensure that you have most of these handy before you begin the process. Be prepared with:

  • A self-attested copy of your PAN card or PAN Allotment Letter.
  • A self-attested copy of the FIR must be submitted along with the duplicate PAN card application documents if you have lost your PAN card by theft. To get a copy of the FIR you must file an FIR at the nearest police station.
  • A self-attested proof of identity. Read on to know which documents are accepted as proof of identity.
  • A self-attested proof of address. Read on to know which documents are accepted as proof of address.
  • A self-attested proof of date of birth (DOB). Read on to know which documents are accepted as proof of DOB.

The following documents are accepted as proof of identity:

  • Aadhaar card
  • Arm’s licence
  • Certificate of Bank
  • Health Scheme card issued by the Central Government
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a Gazetted Officer
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a member of the Legislative Assembly
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a Member of Parliament
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a Municipal Councillor
  • Driving licence
  • Voter ID card
  • Photo card of an Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme
  • Passport
  • Pensioner card that has your photograph on it.
  • Photo ID card issued by a Central/State Government or a Public Sector Undertaking
  • Ration Card that has your photograph on it.

The following documents are accepted as proof of address:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Statement of Bank accounts
  • Allotment Letter Accommodation issued by Central/State Government of the previous three years
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a Gazetted Officer
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a member of the Legislative Assembly
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a Member of Parliament
  • Original Identity Certificate signed by a Municipal Councillor
  • Credit card statement
  • Gas bill
  • Statement of Depository Account
  • Government-issued Domicile Certificate
  • Your driving license
  • Voter ID card
  • Electricity bill
  • Original Employer Certificate
  • Telephone or broadband bill
  • Latest Property Tax Assessment Order
  • Passport
  • If you’re married, your partner or spouse’s passport.
  • Passbook of the Post Office that has your photograph.
  • Water bill
  • Document of Property Registration

The following documents are accepted as proof of DOB:

  • An affidavit citing your DOB and which has been sworn before a Magistrate.
  • Certificate of Birth
  • Government-issued Domicile Certificate
  • Driving licence
  • Certificate of Marriage issued by the Registrar of Marriages.
  • Matriculation certificate
  • Pension payment order
  • Passport

How do you apply for a duplicate PAN card?

The online process for applying for a duplicate PAN card is:

PAN Card 1
  • Go to the bottom of the page, and from the block “Apply for Changes Or Correction in PAN Data (for DSC users)”, select ‘Individual’.
  • A new page where the form for “Request For New PAN Card Or/ And Changes Or Correction in PAN Data” appears.
  • Fill the form without ticking on any box given on the left margin. Enter your various details, like PAN, full name, address for communication, DOB, and Aadhaar number, among others.

Now you need to make a payment and submit the form online. Once that’s done, the form, along with the supporting documents, will be submitted. You’ll now receive an acknowledgement slip, which is basically a 15-digit acknowledgement number that you can use to track the status of your PAN application.

Print, sign, and affix this acknowledgement slip with a photograph, and then mail it to the NSDL Office along with a demand draft, in case you haven’t paid online, proof of existing PAN, proof of identity, address and DOB as specified in the application. Here’s the address of NSDL office:

NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited, 5th floor, Mantri Sterling, Plot No. 341, Survey No. 997/8, Model Colony, Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Pune – 411016

  • Ensure that you’ve superscribed the envelope with ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN CHANGE REQUEST–N–Acknowledgment Number’ (e.g. ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN CHANGE REQUEST–N–881010200000097’). After this acknowledgement slip is delivered to the NSDL office, your PAN application request will be processed and approved. The duplicate PAN Card will then be dispatched to your address. Use this link (https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/changemode.html) to regenerate your acknowledgement receipt if you’ve lost it.