By continuing, you agree to LoansJagat's Credit Report Terms of Use, Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and authorize contact via Call, SMS, Email, or WhatsApp
Disclaimer: The information published on LoansJagat is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. Interest rates, loan terms, statistics, and other data may change over time and may vary by lender or source. Please verify the latest information and consult a qualified financial advisor or the respective Bank/NBFC before making any financial decisions.
About the author
LoansJagat Team
Contributor‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.
Subscribe Now
Related Blog Post
Simplify All Your Loans Into One Affordable EMI
Customers Served
Debt Consolidated
1200+ Reviews
Locations in India
Club all Loans & Credit Card Bills into Single EMI
Quick Apply Loan
Consolidate your debts into one easy EMI.
Takes less than 2 minutes. No paperwork.
10 Lakhs+
Trusted Customers
2000 Cr+
Loans Disbursed
4.7/5
Google Reviews
20+
Banks & NBFCs Offers
Other services mentioned in this article
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:
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
Character Position | Meaning | Example (ABCDE1234F) |
1–3 | Alphabetic series (random letters) | ABC |
4 | Type of PAN holder (P for Individual, C for Company, etc.) |
The PAN is unique to each individual or organisation and remains continuous throughout life, even if you relocate or change jobs.
Read More – How to Apply for a PAN Card If Lost
PAN is more than simply a tax identification number; it is the key to almost every financial transaction in India.
Purpose | Why PAN is Required |
Filing Income Tax Returns | Mandatory for salaried and self-employed individuals |
Opening a Bank Account | Required for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification |
Purchasing Property Over ₹10 Lakh |
Without your PAN, you’re practically invisible to the formal financial system.
The Income Tax Department of India issues PANs via two service providers:
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.
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.
If your PAN is connected to Aadhaar, this is the simplest method.
If you’ve filed taxes in the past, your PAN will be visible on documents like:
Document | Where to Find PAN |
Form 26AS | On top of the form (Downloadable from the TRACES portal) |
Income Tax Return (ITR) | Personal details include a tax deduction certificate. |
Tax Deducted Certificate |
This is helpful if you don’t have access to Aadhaar or the IT portal.
If you've ever completed bank KYC, your PAN will be saved and sometimes printed on:
Mutual fund statements (CAS reports).
Platform/Document | Where PAN Appear? |
Bank welcome letter/email | Usually at the top or in KYC confirmation |
CAMS/Karvy Statements | Investment Summary page |
Also Read - How to Change Name in PAN Card
If all else fails, you can speak with customer support and recover your PAN:
Service Provider | Contact Number | Email |
NSDL (Protean) |
020-27218080
tininfo@proteantech.in
UTIITSL
1800-222-990
utiitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com
They may ask you for identity verification details, so keep your Aadhaar or passport handy.
It’s normal to face a few hiccups while using digital portals. Here’s how to troubleshoot.
Issue |
D |
5 | The first letter of the PAN holder's surname | E |
6–9 | Numeric sequence (random digits) | 1234 |
10 | Alphabetic check digit | F |
Prevents tax evasion and unlawful activities.
Applying for Credit Cards/Loans | PAN helps to check creditworthiness and identification. |
Required to link financial investments to your name. |
Claiming Tax Refunds | Enables processing via the Income Tax Portal |
Typically issued by the employer or the deductor.
If linked to the Income Tax department, fetch PAN
*T&C Apply
Possible Reason |
Quick Fix |
“PAN Not Found” error | Typo in name or DOB | Use exact details from Aadhaar |
OTP not received | Mobile not linked to Aadhaar | Visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update. |
System downtime | The Income Tax portal or NSDL may be under repair. | Try again after some time |
Mismatch in documents | Name change after marriage, etc. | Apply for PAN adjustment online (Form 49a). |
You don’t want to forget your PAN number again. Here’s what you can do:
Tip | Why It Helps? |
Save a soft copy with DigiLocker | Government-approved storage and retrieval |
Note it in a secure password app | Easy access from the phone when needed |
Link with Aadhaar | Simple retrieval via the IT portal |
Memorise the 10-digit format | The pattern becomes familiar over time |
Do not share unnecessarily | Prevent identity theft and tax fraud |
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:
In most cases, digital PAN is available quickly as a PDF.
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.
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.
How to Guides - Government, Official Documents & Procedures | ||
