A Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is one of the most important identity and financial documents in India. Issued by the Income Tax Department, the PAN card is used not just for filing taxes but also for opening bank accounts, buying property, investing in mutual funds, and various KYC (Know Your Customer) verifications. Losing a PAN card can create unnecessary stress — but thankfully, the process of reissuing a PAN card is simple and well-defined.
In this article, we’ll explain in simple Indian English how to get your lost PAN card reissued, the documents required, step-by-step process (both online and offline), and the fees involved.
Why Is a PAN Card So Important?
Before understanding how to reissue a lost PAN card, it’s important to know why this document holds such importance in India.
A PAN card is a 10-digit alphanumeric code that is unique to each taxpayer. It is issued to individuals, companies, and other entities under the supervision of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
Some of the common uses of a PAN card include:
- Filing income tax returns (ITR)
- Opening a bank account or Demat account
- Buying or selling immovable property above ₹10 lakh
- Making cash deposits above ₹50,000
- Investing in mutual funds or stocks
- Applying for loans or credit cards
- Identity proof for KYC norms
So, losing it can create obstacles in these everyday financial activities. Thankfully, the Indian government has made the process to get a duplicate or reprinted PAN card very easy.
First Steps After Losing Your PAN Card
If your PAN card is lost or stolen, here are the first few things you should do:
- Don’t panic. Losing the physical card does not mean your PAN number is cancelled. The number remains valid.
- Note down your PAN number. If you remember or have a copy saved somewhere, keep it handy.
- File an FIR (optional but helpful) if the PAN card was stolen. This acts as proof in case of misuse.
- Apply for a reprint or duplicate PAN card. The Income Tax Department allows you to reapply through NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL, which are authorised PAN service providers.
Two Ways to Apply for Reissue of PAN Card
You can apply for a duplicate PAN card through two main modes:
1. Online Method
The easiest and fastest way is to apply online through the websites of either:
- Protean (formerly NSDL): https://www.tin-nsdl.com
- UTIITSL: https://www.pan.utiitsl.com
These portals allow individuals to reprint a lost or damaged PAN card with the same PAN number. Here’s how to do it through NSDL/Protean.
Step-by-Step Process on NSDL Portal:
- Go to: https://www.onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/ReprintEPan.html
- Enter PAN, Aadhaar, and Date of Birth
- Submit OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Make payment of the fee (explained below)
- Download ePAN instantly or wait for physical card to arrive via post
If you don’t have Aadhaar-linked mobile, you can apply for a ‘Reprint PAN Card’ through the full application form (Form CSF) on the same portal and submit scanned documents.
2. Offline Method
If you are not comfortable with online applications, you can also apply offline:
- Visit a PAN facilitation centre (NSDL or UTIITSL).
- Fill the ‘Request for New PAN Card or/and Changes or Correction in PAN Data’ form.
- Attach:
- Copy of identity proof (like Aadhaar, Voter ID)
- Copy of PAN allotment letter or old PAN card (if available)
- Passport-size photograph
- FIR copy (if applicable)
- Submit the form and pay the fees.
- Collect acknowledgment receipt and wait for PAN card delivery via post.
How Much Fee Is Charged for PAN Card Reissue?
The charges for PAN card reprint depend on your communication address:
- For Indian address: ₹50 (inclusive of all taxes)
- For Foreign address: ₹959 (inclusive of all taxes)
Note: If you apply through UTIITSL, the charges may slightly vary but stay in the same range. For online ePAN (PDF download only), the fee is often just ₹8.26.
Also, if your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar, you can download an ePAN instantly after successful payment. The physical PAN card is delivered within 15–20 working days via India Post.
Documents Required for PAN Reprint
The documents required depend on the mode of application. For most individual applicants (online or offline), the following are usually needed:
- Aadhaar card (mandatory for most online applications)
- Proof of Identity (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, etc.)
- Proof of Address (Utility bill, Passport, etc.)
- Passport-size photo (for offline applications)
- FIR copy (only if PAN card was stolen)
In online mode using Aadhaar OTP, you usually don’t need to upload any documents if your details match with Aadhaar.
What to Do If PAN Details Are Wrong?
Sometimes, while reapplying for PAN, you may realise that your name, date of birth, or other details are incorrect in the database. In such cases, instead of just reprinting, you need to apply for a correction in PAN using the same NSDL or UTIITSL portals.
There, you will have to:
- Select the option for “Changes or Correction in PAN Data”
- Upload supporting documents
- Submit the updated form with fee
- Receive corrected PAN card by post
This is important because errors in your PAN data can cause delays in IT returns, refunds, and KYC rejections.
ePAN: A Digital Solution
For those who don’t necessarily need a physical card, the Income Tax Department also provides an ePAN — a digitally signed PAN card in PDF format.
You can request it for reprint, correction, or even for new issuance. ePAN is valid just like the physical PAN card and is instantly downloadable, making it a fast solution in emergencies like loss or theft.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
- Keep a soft copy of your PAN card in your email or cloud storage for emergencies.
- Do not share your PAN publicly to avoid misuse.
- If your PAN card is used for fraud, immediately report it to the nearest police station and Income Tax Department.
- Link PAN with Aadhaar before the deadline to avoid deactivation.
Sources: NSDL, UTIITSL, Income Tax India
