How to Know PAN Card Number – Step-by-Step Methods

Vikas owned a small cosmetics company and was preparing to file his quarterly GST returns. He sat down with his accountant, ready to sort things out. But then the accountant posed a simple question:

"Sir, I need your PAN number to proceed."

Vikas- "Um... I believe it's at home. It was on a card I had several years ago."

The accountant chuckled. "No worries, we can retrieve it online if you remember some details."

Vikas- I really don’t remember anything about my PAN card.

Many Indians, including Vikas, lose or misplace their PAN cards. Fortunately, there is no need to panic or visit an office. Whether you’ve lost your card, never received it, or simply cannot recall the number, you can look up your PAN online in minutes.

This blog will guide you through:

• What is a PAN number?
• Why does it matter?
• Where it appears:
• And above all, how can it be safely and promptly retrieved?

What is a PAN Card Number?

PAN stands for Permanent Account Number.  It is a 10-character alphanumeric code assigned by the Income Tax Department of India to individuals and corporations.

Example: ABCDE1234F

The PAN is unique to each individual or organisation and remains continuous throughout life, even if you relocate or change jobs.

Why is PAN So Important?

PAN is more than simply a tax identification number; it is the key to almost every financial transaction in India.

Without your PAN, you’re practically invisible to the formal financial system.

Who Issues PAN and Where Can You Find It?

The Income Tax Department of India issues PANs via two service providers:

1. NSDL (now called Protean eGov Technologies Ltd.)
2. UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology Services Limited)

If you applied for a PAN, you will receive a laminated card. Even if you've misplaced the physical card, the number can be found by utilising a variety of web resources.

How to Know Your PAN Number?

If you’ve misplaced your card or forgotten your PAN, here’s a step-by-step guide to retrieving it via official and trusted sources.

Method 1: Use the Income Tax Portal (With Aadhaar)

If your PAN is connected to Aadhaar, this is the simplest method.

1. Go to the Income Tax e-Filing Portal at https://www.incometax.gov.in.
2. Go to Quick Links > Know Your PAN.
3. Enter your Aadhaar and mobile number.
4. Enter the OTP that you received.
5. Your PAN number will be displayed on the screen.
6. Please keep in mind that your phone must be linked to Aadhaar to receive OTP verification.

Method 2: Access NSDL’s “Know Your PAN” Tool

1. Visit https://www.tin-nsdl.com
2. Go to Services > PAN > Know Your PAN
3. Enter:
   • Full name
   • Date of birth
   • Registered mobile number or email
     
4. Submit the form and verify the OTP
5. Your PAN number will be shown on the screen or emailed to you.

Method 3: Using Form 26AS or ITR (If You Filed Returns)

If you’ve filed taxes in the past, your PAN will be visible on documents like:

This is helpful if you don’t have access to Aadhaar or the IT portal.

Method 4: From Bank Statements, KYC Documents or Mutual Fund Platforms

If you've ever completed bank KYC, your PAN will be saved and sometimes printed on: 

1. Required documents include bank welcome letters, 
2. KYC documentation from CKYC or CAMS/Karvy, 

3. Mutual fund statements (CAS reports).

    

Method 5: Call Customer Support of NSDL or UTIITSL

If all else fails, you can speak with customer support and recover your PAN:

They may ask you for identity verification details, so keep your Aadhaar or passport handy.

Common Issues While Retrieving PAN

It’s normal to face a few hiccups while using digital portals. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Tips to Keep Your PAN Safe and Accessible

You don’t want to forget your PAN number again. Here’s what you can do:

What To Do If You Lost Your PAN Card (But Know the Number)?

Knowing your PAN number is helpful, but what if you need the card again? 

You can request a reprint from NSDL at https://www.tin-nsdl.com.

UTIITSL URL: https://www.pan.utiitsl.com.

To reprint your PAN card, follow these steps: 

1. Click the "Reprint PAN card"
2. Enter your PAN, DOB, and Aadhaar.
3. Pay a small fee (about ₹50).
4. The card will be delivered within a few days.

In most cases, digital PAN is available quickly as a PDF.

Conclusion

In India, your PAN serves as your financial fingerprint — more than just a tax identifier. As Vikas’s case shows, losing your PAN can cause problems in business, banking, and taxation. You can retrieve your PAN using your Aadhaar, the Income Tax portal, the NSDL website, or your bank records. It takes only five minutes to find it. Be sure to store it securely.

FAQs

Is there a penalty if you forget your PAN?

No, although omitting to include it on financial documents may result in transaction delays or rejections.

Can I have more than one PAN?

 No, it is illegal. Having several PANs might result in a punishment of ₹10,000.

Can I find someone else's PAN using their Aadhaar?

  No, PAN retrieval requires an OTP and personal information to avoid misuse.

Can NRIs obtain their PANs online?

 Yes, as long as their phone/email is linked to the PAN app.

What happens if I provide incorrect information when retrieving my PAN?

 Try again with the right spelling, or submit a correction request to the issuing authority.

Apply for Loans Fast and Hassle-Free

Apply Now

About the Author

LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?