PAN 2.0: Do you need to re-apply? What are the charges? All your questions answered

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the PAN 2.0 project, paving the way for QR-enabled cards and making the 10-digit alphanumeric Permanent Account Number (PAN) a 'common business identifier' for all digital systems of government agencies.

The PAN 2.0 Project is a ₹1,435 crore initiative by the Income Tax Department to modernise the Permanent Account Number system. It aims to make PAN a "common business identifier" across digital systems of specified government agencies, offering a unified digital portal, paperless services, and improved grievance redressal mechanisms.

"They used to say they don’t want different (identification) numbers, a single number would be beneficial. The project will make efforts to make PAN the common business identifier. All PAN/ TAN/ TIN will be clubbed under this system,” Vaishnaw said.

• Unified Portal: A single, fully online platform for all PAN-related services.

• Security Upgrades: The introduction of QR codes and mandatory PAN Data Vaults to enhance cyber security.

• Faster Services: Speedy, eco-friendly, and cost-effective taxpayer services with improved grievance redressal.

• Enhanced Consistency: A “single source of truth” system for better data consistency.

No, existing PAN holders will not need to apply for a new PAN under the PAN 2.0 Project. But they will have the option to upgrade for the PAN 2.0 card. The government has assured that all current PAN cards will remain valid even after the upgrade.

No, there will be no cost involved for taxpayers. As part of the project, new PAN cards featuring enhanced features, like a QR code for improved security, will be issued free of charge.

Older PAN cards will remain valid. New cards with upgraded features like QR codes will be issued to all holders, but they are not mandatory for continued use of existing PANs.

Around 78 crore PANs have been issued so far, with 98% of them belonging to individuals.

The details of the application process and timeline for the complete rollout of PAN 2.0 have not been specified yet by the Income Tax department.