As per the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), there are approximately 42 crore PAN card holders in India. Around 97.5% of those are individuals while the rest are trusts, HUFs, local authorities, artificial juridical persons, firms, companies, limited liability companies, government organisation, etc.

If your PAN card is lost in India, you may face several challenges when making financial transactions; it is one of the most important documents for ID of PAN cardholder as well as for the IT department of India to supervise financial transactions made by him/her.

What to do when you lose or misplace your PAN card?

The first and foremost thing to do in such situations is to file an FIR with your nearest police station. Make sure to avail an acknowledgement letter of the filed FIR.

How to apply for lost PAN card?

You can apply for a replacement PAN card in the following two ways –

Online

Step 1 - Head over to the official website of TIN-NSDL to apply for a PAN.
Step 2 - Select “Changes or correction in existing PAN data/ Reprint of PAN card (No changes in existing PAN data)” under the “Application Type” drop-down menu.
Step 3 - Enter the relevant information.
Step 4 - Click “Submit.”
A token number will be generated, which you have to note down for future reference.
Step 5 - Click “Continue with PAN application form.”
Step 6 - Enter all the information required on the new page.
Step 7 - Select the mode of submission for the form. The portal provides the following three modes –

Submit scanned images through e-sign – You have to upload your signature, photograph, and other relevant documents. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number for authentication. Note that Aadhaar is mandatory for this process.

Submit digitally through e-KYC & e-sign – Your Aadhaar is necessary for this process. An OTP will also be forwarded to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

Forward application documents physically – The acknowledgement form and the necessary documents have to be mailed to the official address of NSDL.

Step 8 - Select whether you need a physical PAN card or an e-PAN.

Step 9 - Provide your contact details on the next page.

Step 10 - Enter the document details on the following page.

Step 11 - Provide relevant information in the declaration section.

Step 12 - Click “Submit”.

Step 13 - Make the necessary payment.

A 15-digit acknowledgement number will be provided; you can check your application status when your PAN card is lost in India.

Availing Pocket Insurance & Subscriptions like Wallet Care offered by Bajaj Finserv can help you stay financially covered against a lost or stolen PAN card. You can benefit from financial reimbursement of the payments made to avail a duplicate PAN Card with such an insurance policy.

Offline

When your PAN card is missing, you can apply for a new one offline by following these steps –

Step 1 -  Download and print the “Request For New PAN Card Or/ And Changes Or Correction in PAN Data” form.
Step 2 - Fill the form.
Step 3 -Attach the necessary documents.
Step 4 - Mail the application form along with other documents to the provided address.

An acknowledgement number will be sent to you, using which you will be able to track your application status by sending an SMS.

Women can opt for a purse care insurance policy to benefit from financial compensation of the expenses made to avail a duplicate PAN card. 

How long does it take for the PAN card to arrive?

Usually, the issue of duplicate PAN card takes around 2 weeks to dispatch after the application approval. The PAN card itself will be sent via post.

What is the importance of PAN?

The primary importance of a PAN card is to make sure individuals or other entities do not evade income tax. The CBDT ensures elimination of tax evasion by enforcing PAN card holders to quote their unique number when making certain transactions.

What are the benefits of having a PAN?

There are several benefits of PAN. It enables you to do the following –

  - Pay income tax.
  - Avoid TDS at a higher rate.
  - Sell or purchase of a vehicle other than a two-wheeler.
  - Sell or purchase a house or plot valued at over Rs.5 lakh.
  - Purchase gold or jewellery worth more than Rs.5 lakh.
  - Make deposits at a financial institution worth more than Rs.50.000.
  - Purchase shares, bonds, and debentures worth more than Rs.50,000.
  - Purchase mutual funds.
  - Pay more than Rs.25,000 at hotels or restaurants and when travelling to a foreign country.

Thus, you will not be able to make any of the above transactions if your PAN card is lost in India.  Losing your PAN card can not only restrict you from the same, but it can also lead to identity theft if used for unauthorised transactions.

Hence, it is advisable to avail an identity theft insurance cover to remain financially protected against such situations. This policy reimburses all the costs incurred by you to resolve the identity theft issue.

If your PAN card is stolen, make sure to notify the same to the relevant authorities along with a registered FIR detailing the incident. In case you have only lost or misplaced the PAN card, you should also notify the same to TIN-NSDL and apply for a duplicate PAN card instead.