What is NSDL PAN and UTIITSL PAN?

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the Income Tax Department under the supervision of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is a 10-digit alphanumeric identity. The number is issued to every taxpayer in the country, be it a resident one, non-resident or a foreigner under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act. Any individual who earns a taxable salary in the country, buy or sell assets that are beyond the estimated limit prescribed by the government, deal in mutual funds etc are required to provide their permanent account number to the authorities. The document which serves as an identity proof is used by the income tax department to track all the financial transactions of the cardholders. Doing so enables them to ensure that no individual or business entity can evade from paying taxes if they have a taxable component in their transactions. The job of issuing PAN cards as well as of carrying out other related matters like verification, delivery, maintenance has been allotted to entities like NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited and UTI Infrastructure Technology Services Limited (UTIITSL). While National Securities Depository Limited NSDL) is a capital market Indian company, UTIITSL is owned by the government which provides services to both the government and financial sectors.

What is NSDL PAN card and UTIITSL PAN card?

This is a common question which is asked by people while looking to apply for a PAN card. Given that there two different agencies which issue PAN cards in the country, the question is justified to a certain extent. However, there are no major differences between the two cards. The terms are used merely to signify from where the card was availed by the applicant. Irrespective from which agency the applicant applies for availing the 10-digit alphanumeric permanent account number, it is obtained from the servers of the Income Tax Department. One can differentiate a PAN card availed through NSDL with that of a one availed through UTIITSL is by looking for the printed date on the card. If the card is availed through NSDL, the printed date of the card would be written beside the photograph of the applicant on the front side of the PAN card.

How can one apply for a PAN card?

An applicant who is interested in availing a PAN card can do so by applying for the 10-digit alphanumeric number either through online or offline mode courtesy NSDL or UTIITSL.  

Below mentioned is the online application process for availing PAN through NSDL:

• Visit www.tin-nsdl.com
• Click on ‘Apply for PAN online’
• Next select ‘Apply’ under the heading ‘Application for allotment of New PAN (Form 49A)’ or Application for allotment of New PAN (49AA)’depending on the type of citizen.
• Fill in the details asked for like application type, category, name, date of birth, email ID and mobile number
• Enter the captcha code and click ‘Submit’
• On doing so, a 10 digit token number is generated which is also sent on the Email ID provided
• Next, the applicant needs to click on ‘Continue with PAN Application Form’
• Thereafter, the applicant needs to select the medium through which the documents will be submitted for the processing of the application and fill in the personal details asked for and click ‘Next’
• In the next page, the applicant needs to mention source of income and address of communication and click ‘Next’
• Next, key in the Area code, AO type, Range code and AO number and click on ‘Next’
• The next step is to upload the documents, sign the declaration and click on ‘Submit’

For availing the PAN card through NSDL offline, the applicant needs to first download form 49A or 49AA depending on the type of citizen. Next, the form needs to be duly filled up by the applicant and submit it along with all the prescribed documents to the authorized official present at the PAN card centre or office located near to the place from where the applicant belongs.

For doing it offline, an applicant needs to follow the same process as that while applying for NSDL PAN offline.

Given that the PAN card is one of the most important documents in the context of financial transactions, one needs to avail it at the earliest possible time. With the government providing all the amenities for the applicants, it is the ideal time for availing PAN cards issued by the Income Tax Department through NSDL or UTIITSL.