How to apply for a PAN Card?

Technically speaking, a PAN or a Personal Authentication Number is an alphanumeric code of 10 digits which is assigned to every individual with an income by the Income Tax Department of India. PAN card is required for the smallest and the simplest of transactions, financially, like for opening an account, applying for a credit card or even a debit card. This document is unique to every individual and may be assigned either to an individual or even a company. Application for a PAN Card these days can be by two modes these days. You can either fill out application forms specified by the Income Tax Department, most commonly the 49A type for residents, followed by submission in the appropriate sector along with visual proofs of residing permanent address, identity proof mainly in the form of an AADHAR card and a birth certificate. This falls under the offline mode of application. An online method is also applicable these days. You have to log in to the official website of National Securities Depositories and fill the necessary fields. The complete process is not online though. After completing all the mandatory entries, you have to compulsorily send a printed receipt of an acknowledgment to the NSDL or UTI Infrastructure Technology. These agencies are authorized by the Income Tax Department to facilitate the application process of PAN card.