Pan card is something that every citizen of India should have, as it’s an essential document that helps you to conduct financial transactions and proves your identity. But people often find it difficult to differentiate between the traditional pan card and the e pan card. Yes, the two are different, and it’s important to understand their characteristics before you apply for either one.
First and foremost, e pan card is an electronic version of the traditional pan card, which is issued in physical form. The government has introduced the e pan card to eliminate the hassle of carrying a physical card all the time. With the e pan card, you can easily store it on your device, and use it whenever required. On the other hand, the traditional pan card is issued in a plastic laminated card format and must be carried with you at all times.
The second key difference between the two is the time and effort involved in obtaining the cards. While the traditional pan card application process is pretty standard, it can take weeks, and in some cases, even months to receive your card. On the other hand, the e pan card process is quick and straightforward, and you can apply online from the comfort of your home. As you can see, while both cards serve the same purpose, each comes with its own set of characteristics.
What is an e-PAN card?
An Electronic PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card or e-PAN card is a digital version of a PAN card that is issued by the Indian government to assesses. It is a legally valid document that serves as proof of the individual’s identity. The e-PAN card is directly issued by the Income Tax Department of India and is sent to the applicant’s email id in the form of a password-protected attachment.
The e-PAN card has the same validity as the physical PAN card, and it can be used for all transactions that require a PAN card.
Key features of e-PAN card
- The e-PAN card is a digital version of the PAN card that can be downloaded in PDF format from the Income Tax Department’s website.
- It is a valid proof of identity and can be used for all transactions that require a PAN card.
- The e-PAN card contains all the information that is present in the physical PAN card.
- The e-PAN card is issued free of cost.
- The e-PAN card is sent to the applicant’s email id in the form of a password-protected attachment.
- The e-PAN card can be used for e-verification of the individual’s ITR (Income Tax Return).
How to apply for e-PAN card?
The process of applying for an e-PAN card is the same as that of applying for a physical PAN card. The applicant needs to visit the Income Tax Department’s website and fill in the online PAN card application form. The applicant will be required to provide their personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, address, contact details, etc. After providing all the required details, the applicant will have to submit the form and pay the processing fee. Once the payment is successfully made, the applicant will receive the e-PAN card in their email id within a few days.
It is important to note that the applicant will need to provide a valid email id while filling in the application form. The e-PAN card will be sent to this email id in the form of a password-protected attachment. Therefore, the applicant should ensure that the email id provided is correct and accessible.
Conclusion
The e-PAN card is a convenient and efficient way of obtaining a PAN card. It eliminates the need for physical documentation and saves time and effort. The e-PAN card is a valid proof of identity and can be used for all transactions that require a PAN card. With the rise of digitalization, the e-PAN card is an excellent initiative by the Indian government to provide a hassle-free experience to assesses.
| Benefits of e-PAN card | Drawbacks of e-PAN card |
|---|---|
| Convenient and efficient way of obtaining a PAN card | Not accepted as a photo identity proof |
| Eliminates the need for physical documentation | Not accepted for opening a bank account |
| Can be used for e-verification of ITR |
Overall, the e-PAN card is a great initiative by the Indian government towards digitalization. It is a easy and convenient way of obtaining a PAN card, and it eliminates the need for physical documentation. The e-PAN card has its limitations, but with the advancement in technology, it is expected to become widely accepted in the near future.
How to apply for an e-PAN card?
Applying for an e-PAN card is a quick and easy process. Here are the steps:
- Visit the official website of UTIITSL or NSDL
- Click on ‘Apply PAN’ and select the option for ‘New PAN – Indian Citizen (Form 49A)’
- Fill in the required personal details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, email, and other details
- Verify the details entered and click on ‘Submit’
- After submitting all the details, a 15-digit acknowledgement number will be generated which can be used to track the status of the e-PAN card application
- The next step is to make the payment which can be done through various modes such as debit/credit card, net banking, or demand draft
- After making the payment, download and save the receipt of the payment for future reference
- The e-PAN card will be sent to the email id provided by the applicant within a few days after successful processing of the application
- Upon receipt of the e-PAN card, it can be downloaded and printed from the email and can be used as a proof of identity and proof of address
It is important to note that while applying for an e-PAN card, the applicant must ensure that all the details provided are accurate and match with the supporting documents. Any discrepancies may lead to rejection of the application.
It is also worth mentioning that while applying for an e-PAN card, there is no need to submit physical documents or photos as the entire process is completed online.
In conclusion, the process of applying for an e-PAN card is simple, quick, and hassle-free. By following the above steps, one can easily obtain an e-PAN card without having to go through the process of physical documentation and application.
| Benefits of e-PAN card |
|---|
| 1. Quick processing time |
| 2. No physical documentation required |
| 3. Can be downloaded and printed instantly |
| 4. Can be used as a valid proof of identity and address for various purposes |
In addition to the above mentioned benefits, the e-PAN card is also environment-friendly as it eliminates the need for paper and printing. Therefore, applying for an e-PAN card not only saves time and effort but also contributes towards a sustainable environment.
Advantages of having an e-PAN card
Having a permanent account number (PAN) card in India is an essential step towards managing your finances. A PAN card contains a ten-digit unique alphanumeric number that serves as an identification number for taxpayers in India. In recent years, the government has introduced the electronic version of a PAN card, which is known as e-PAN card. The e-PAN card is issued to applicants in an electronic format, which means it can be saved on your smartphone or laptop, and there is no need for a physical PAN card. Here are some advantages of having an e-PAN card:
- Instant availability – One of the most significant advantages of having an e-PAN card is that it is available instantly after the successful submission of your application. Unlike the traditional PAN card that takes several weeks to arrive by post, an e-PAN card is sent via email to the applicant within a few hours of application.
- Eliminates the need for physical PAN card – With an e-PAN card, you don’t need to carry a physical PAN card anymore, as the soft copy of your e-PAN card can be saved on your smartphone or laptop and accessed anytime, anywhere. This eliminates the risk of misplacing or damaging your physical PAN card.
- Verifiable authenticity – The e-PAN card is issued by the Income Tax Department, and it carries the same information as that of a physical PAN card. The e-PAN card also has a QR code that can be scanned to verify its authenticity. This makes it easy for PAN cardholders to use their e-PAN card as a valid proof of identity.
Convenience of having an e-PAN card
In addition to the advantages listed above, there are a few more benefits of owning an e-PAN card that make it a convenient option for taxpayers in India.
Firstly, the application process for an e-PAN card is entirely online, which means that you can apply for a PAN card from the comfort of your home or office. The process is simple and straightforward, and you don’t have to visit any government offices or submit any physical documents.
Secondly, since the e-PAN card is issued in an electronic format, it is stored in the Income Tax Department’s database, making it easy for taxpayers to retrieve their PAN details whenever they need it. This saves PAN cardholders from the hassle of searching for their PAN card every time they need to provide their PAN number for financial transactions or other purposes.
| Advantages of having an e-PAN card | Disadvantages of having a normal PAN Card |
|---|---|
| Instant availability | The traditional PAN card takes several weeks to arrive by post. |
| Eliminates the need for physical PAN card | You need to carry a physical PAN card. |
| Verifiable authenticity | The traditional PAN card does not have a QR code for verification of authenticity. |
In conclusion, having an e-PAN card is a convenient option for taxpayers in India, as it provides instant availability, eliminates the need for a physical PAN card, and has verifiable authenticity. It is a smart move to switch to an e-PAN card, as it saves you time and makes managing your finances easier.
What is a normal PAN card?
A Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code that is allotted to all taxpayers in India. It is issued by the Income Tax Department of India to track financial transactions and tax payments. A normal PAN card is a physical card that contains all the details of the cardholder such as name, date of birth, photograph, and most importantly, the PAN number. It is an essential document that is required to file income tax returns, open a bank account, and conduct other financial transactions.
- The normal PAN card is issued to individuals, firms, and companies who are eligible to apply for it.
- It is valid for a lifetime and does not require any renewal.
- It can be used as proof of identity and is accepted by all government and non-government institutions in India.
The application for a normal PAN card can be done online or offline. Online applications can be made through the NSDL or UTIITSL websites, whereas offline applications can be made through PAN centers or TIN facilitation centers.
The fees for a normal PAN card is Rs. 110 for Indian citizens and Rs. 1020 for foreign citizens. The card is delivered to the applicant’s address within 15-20 working days from the date of application.
| Features of a Normal PAN Card | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Physical card with the applicant’s details and photograph |
| Validity | Lifetime |
| Proof of identity | Accepted by all government and non-government institutions |
| Application fees | Rs. 110 for Indian citizens, Rs. 1020 for foreign citizens |
A normal PAN card is a must-have document for all taxpayers in India. It not only helps in managing financial transactions but also serves as proof of identity.
How to apply for a normal PAN card?
If you are an Indian citizen and need a PAN card for the first time, you can apply for a normal PAN card through the NSDL or UTIITSL websites. You can also apply through TIN facilitation centers or other authorized centers. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to the NSDL or UTIITSL website and select the PAN card application form.
- Fill in all the details requested in the form and attach the necessary documents, including your proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of date of birth.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
- You will receive an acknowledgement, which contains a 15-digit acknowledgment number. You can use this number to track your application status.
- After processing your application, the PAN card will be sent to you by post.
It is important to note that there are different application forms for Indian citizens, NRI’s and foreign citizens. Any discrepancy in the information provided could lead to delays in processing the application. It is recommended that you double-check all the documents and information before submitting the application.
Advantages of having a normal PAN card
Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card is a document that is essential for various financial transactions in India. It is a 10-character alphanumeric code that is issued by the Income Tax Department. PAN card is mandatory for tax payers, but it is also important for individuals who do not fall under the tax bracket. In this article, we will discuss the difference between e-PAN card and normal PAN card along with the advantages of having a normal PAN card.
- Proof of Identity: PAN card serves as a valid proof of identity in India. It is accepted by various government agencies and private institutions as a document of identification. Apart from the identification purpose, it can also be used as a proof of age, in cases where age limit restrictions apply.
- Financial Transactions: PAN card is required for various financial transactions such as opening a bank account, investing in stock market, purchasing or selling a property, and much more. Having a normal PAN card makes these transactions easier and hassle-free. It also helps in avoiding tax-related issues in future.
- Credit Score: PAN card plays an important role in determining an individual’s creditworthiness. A good credit score is essential for availing loans and credit cards. Therefore, having a normal PAN card can improve your credit score and help you get better deals on loans and credit cards.
Having a normal PAN card also has benefits over e-PAN card:
| Normal PAN Card | e-PAN Card |
|---|---|
| Can be used as a valid proof of identity and address. | Can only be used as a document of identification. Address proof needs to be provided separately. |
| Can be used for financial transactions. | Cannot be used for financial transactions until the physical copy is received. |
| Can be used to improve credit score. | Cannot be used to improve credit score as it is not a physical document. |
In conclusion, having a normal PAN card is essential for individuals as it serves as a valid proof of identity, helps in various financial transactions, and can improve credit score. Although e-PAN card is a convenient option, it has its limitations and may not be suitable for all purposes.
Differences between e-PAN card and Normal PAN card
Both e-PAN cards and normal PAN cards serve the same purpose of being an important identity proof for Indian citizens. However, there are some key differences between the two that should be noted.
- An e-PAN card is a digital version of the PAN card, while a normal PAN card is a physical copy.
- e-PAN cards are generated electronically and sent through email, while normal PAN cards are delivered through post.
- e-PAN cards are issued only to individuals, while normal PAN cards can be issued to individuals, companies, firms, and other entities.
- e-PAN cards are typically issued faster than normal PAN cards (usually within 24-48 hours), while normal PAN cards can take up to a few weeks to be delivered.
- e-PAN cards have a quicker verification process, as they can be verified online instantly, while verification of normal PAN cards may require manual inspection of the physical card.
- e-PAN cards are considered more secure than normal PAN cards, as they cannot be lost or damaged like physical cards. However, they can be prone to cyber attacks if not protected properly.
- Normal PAN cardholders can apply for a reprint or correction of their card, while e-PAN cardholders cannot apply for the same and will have to apply for a new e-PAN card instead.
Overall, both e-PAN cards and normal PAN cards have their own advantages and limitations, and individuals should choose the option that best suits their needs and preferences. It is important to keep in mind the differences between the two while applying for or using a PAN card for any purpose.
Difference between e PAN card and normal PAN card
Q1. What is an e PAN card?
An e PAN card is a digital version of a PAN card that is sent to the applicant via email. It contains all the essential details mentioned on a physical PAN card.
Q2. How is e PAN card different from a normal PAN card?
The main difference between the two is that the e PAN card is a digital version of the PAN card, whereas the physical PAN card is a hard copy. The PAN card is a laminated card printed on paper, while the e PAN card is sent electronically to the applicant.
Q3. How can one apply for an e PAN card?
The process of applying for an e PAN card is the same as applying for a physical PAN card. The only difference is that the applicant needs to choose the e PAN card option while applying.
Q4. Which is better, e PAN card or physical PAN card?
Both e PAN card and physical PAN card have their advantages. The e PAN card is convenient and can be stored digitally, while a physical card is necessary for verification purposes. It’s best to have both options available.
Q5. Is e PAN card legally valid?
Yes, e PAN card holds the same legal status as a physical PAN card and is a valid form of identification.
Closing
We hope this article has helped clarify the difference between e PAN card and normal PAN card. Remember, it’s important to have both as both can serve different purposes. Thank you for reading, and see you next time!