The Income Tax Department has made a few changes to the design of PAN Cards. They have also decided to add some extra features to make the cards more secure and user-friendly. These new PAN Cards have been made available to the users since 7 July 2018.
However, the PAN Cards issued before the above-mentioned date will remain valid. If you are interested in getting a new PAN Card, you have to submit an online application for the card. Here in this guide, you can get all the information about the PAN Card.
The two new additions that have been made to the PAN Cards by the Income Tax Department are:
1. Enhanced QR Code: The enhanced QR code present in the PAN Card contains the signature and photograph of the cardholder. The code will also display other additional details like the cardholder's date of birth and father/mother's name. All these details are encoded in the QR code and are digitally signed.
You will be able to read the QR code through a specific mobile application called Enhance QR Code Reader. The Income Tax Department recommends scanning the QR code with an auto-focus camera that has a resolution of 12 megapixels or more.
2. PAN Card Detail Position: There are few changes made to the positions of details in the new design of the PAN Card. The changes made in the new PAN are:
The Income Tax Department has also introduced e-PAN which is a digitally signed PAN Card. It is issued in an electronic format and is signed with the help of Aadhar e-KYC. Below are the details that one will find in the new e-PAN:
By following the steps given below you can apply or update for new e-PAN:
Step 1 - Visit the official website of NSDL or UTIITSL.
Step 2 - Fill in your PAN number, Aadhaar number, and Date of Birth.
Step 3 - You will get an OTP on your linked mobile number.
Step 4 - Enter the OTP for mobile verification.
Step 5 - You can request any updates or apply for a new PAN.
You can easily sign the e-PAN digitally by following the simple steps given below:
Step 1 - Use PDF Converter Professional to open the PDF file.
Step 2 - Left-click on the option "Digital Signature".
Step 3 - Click the option "Verify Signature."
Step 4 - Click on the button "Properties"
Step 5 - Then click the option "Verify Identity"
Step 6 - Next, add the option "Contact information for certificate owner."
Step 7 - Click on the option "Add to list."
Step 8 - Now, click on the "Close" option.
Step 9 - Click the option "Verify signature"
Step 10 - Validity status of your signature will be reflected as "Signature is valid."
Step 11 - Click the "Close" button.
Step 12 - Your digital signature will appear as "Signature valid" with a green check mark.
In addition to making the above-mentioned changes, the Income Tax Department has allowed the Digilocker app to issue PAN Cards to the users. The card issued from the Digilocker app contains details like PAN number, cardholder's name, gender and date of birth. The card also has the Enhanced QR Code that will allow users to verify the details of their PAN Card. PAN Cards issued through the app also contain a "Digilocker Verified" logo.
You can follow the steps given below to get your PAN Card issued from the Digilocker app:
Step 1 - Open the Digilocker app and log in to your account
Step 2 - Click on the section of the Income Tax Department's PAN verification record.
Step 3 - Enter your name as per the PAN Card along with your PAN number.
Step 4 - Click on "Get Document" after providing your consent.
Step 5 - The PAN Card will automatically be downloaded to your account.
An e-PAN is a digitally issued Permanent Account Number (PAN) card provided in electronic format (PDF). It is equally valid as the physical PAN Card.
Yes, the e-PAN is legally valid and can be used for all purposes where a PAN is required.
You can apply for a new e-PAN online through the official website of Income Tax e-filing. You have to use your Aadhaar details for instant allotment.
It can be scanned by using a specific mobile app (Enhanced PAN QR Code Reader). Always use an auto-focus camera which has a resolution of 12-megapixels and above.
The QR code includes information such as name, date of birth, and photograph of the PAN holder.

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