PAN (Permanent Account Number) is basically an Income tax department supplied 10 digits of alphanumerical unique code,  to individuals, Hindu undivided firms  or corporate bodies, while  in no case two numbers are supplied to the same individual or two individuals can have the same PAN ; and whenever an individual requires a duplicate PAN card on losing the original one , one can make an online application for duplicate card.

Since all financial transactions involving  Rs. 50,000 and above, including bank deposits or Investments in Mutual fund, must be supported by the PAN in documentation, one should  be carefully retain the PAN card.

PAN Card Issue

PAN card  issue is processed through authorised agency NSDL,  which is possible by filling Form 49A  online in NSDL portal, or 49AA in respect of Foreign citizens, when an acknowledgement will be made available with a reference number,  print out  of which should be sent to the authorities with photographs of the prescribed size, with attachments of approved address proof records and the signature of the individual, in response to which the authorities will send the Pan Card to the given address by post, in about 15 days.

PAN card issue also requires a remittance of Rs 96 being fee inclusive of service charges , which can also be done online at the time of making the application, through Credit Card or Net Banking.

PAN card processing is also be done through the Aykar Sampark Kendra of the Income Tax Department  functioning in most of the cities, which facility the individuals can be availed by those who do not have net access facility.

Duplicate PAN Card Issue.

There are a few circumstances in which  issue of duplicate PAN card may be necessitated, which are

•      The Originally issued PAN card has been misplaced or lost by the Card holder
•      Errors are found in the name of the card holder or other details in the card.
•      When the Pan Card is lost in transit, during despatch from NSDL.

Duplicate PAN cards can be obtained my making application on line or otherwise, in the same manner as one had obtained the PAN card originally, by filling in the form in the website https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html, when one will be given acknowledgement, to follow the same process as done in the same manner, except that the prescribed fee for duplicate issue will be Rs 67, to the processing authorities, like NSDL.

Alternatively, one can take a print out of the Form 49A, complete it with the required details and submit it to the address proof documents and the remittance of fee to the local Kendras established by the Income tax department in various cities.
PAN Card is Unique

Even if the IT department issues duplicate PAN card on proper application, the PAN is unique and can never be changed in respect of a person or organisation, and one may notice that for the purpose of KYC also PAN is used as the Index.