PAN 2.0: Do You Need to Change Your PAN Card? IT Department Clears the Doubts!

The government has approved the modernisation of the PAN card system through the PAN 2.0 project, with a budget of ₹1,435 crores. This initiative aims to enhance services and introduce technological improvements for taxpayers. A key feature of the updated PAN card is the inclusion of a QR code. However, questions have arisen among current PAN cardholders regarding the status of their existing cards and the possibility of corrections.

The Income Tax Department has addressed these concerns with the following clarifications:

• No Need for a New Card: Existing PAN cardholders do not need to apply for a new card. The old PAN cards will remain valid, and the PAN number will remain unchanged.
• Opportunity for Corrections: PAN cardholders can make corrections to their details, including email, mobile number, address, date of birth, and name. These corrections will be provided free of charge after the PAN 2.0 update. Currently, changes can be made through the NSDL and UTISL websites using Aadhaar.
• QR Code Continuation: The inclusion of a QR code in the PAN 2.0 cards is not a new feature, as all cards issued since 2017-18 already contain a QR code. This feature will continue in PAN 2.0. The QR code allows users to scan and view their details directly from the PAN database. Cardholders without a QR code can apply for a new card with the QR code now or in the future.