The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a vital proof of identity. It is issued in 10-digit alphanumeric pattern that has a link to your name, date of birth and fathers name in it. Be it an individual or a company, everyone has to get a PAN card when they become eligible for tax paying purposes. Significantly, the process to get a PAN card has become quite simple and in fact, an applicant does not even need to get out of his house to get one as the procedure to opt for the card can be done online in few easy steps. And even teh wait is not interminable. Generally, it takes 15 to 20 days time for the delivery of actual PAN card in a laminated format. However, those who want one even faster, let us say, to file ITR, opening a bank account, applying for driving license or passport, can get it much faster. Urgent situations can be referred to informally as a tatkal PAN application, but the Income-Tax department does not allow a tatkal PAN application. Still, the applicant can still obtain a  PAN card in just 2 days time by applying for it on the NSDL website. 

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You too can apply for a PAN card by filling up an application in Form 49A or Form 49AA. The application can be made online through NSDL website www.tin-nsdl.com.

You can obtain PAN application form from any NSDL TIN-Facilitation Centre (TIN-FC)/ PAN Centre or any other stationery vendors providing such forms. The same can be downloaded. The form is freely downloadable from NSDL website. 

It needs to be noted that the application form  must be legibly filled in English capital letters and preferably with black ink. 
An individual applicant should affix two recent colour photographs with white background (size 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) in the space provided on the form. 

Documents such as proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth is needed while submitting the application. These can be your birth certificate, driving license, Aadhaar card, passport, electricity bill and ration card. 

Apart from this, you must provide your mobile number and email address. For application online, you must provide your digital signature. 

Make sure every details filled in your PAN card application is accurate and error free. 

Once done, submit the application online by paying some fees. While submitting the application, you will have the option to choose between physical card or e-PAN. 

On submission, you will receive an acknowledgment with a unique 15-digit number. You can track down your status of PAN using this digit. You will receive your PAN card in 2 days, once the details mentioned by you are verified.