PAN Card

How to Apply for a Lost or Damaged PAN Card?

autohr img By Manish Prajapat | Last Updated : 03 Nov, 2025

Apply for a Lost or Damaged PAN Card
Table of Contents

Whether you are a resident or an NRI, at some time, we all use a PAN card in our practical lives. It is required to file ITR in India for verification of financial transactions and more.

However, you may unintentionally misplace, lose, or damage your PAN card. In such a situation, you can apply for a lost or damaged PAN card through Protean eGov Technologies Limited (Protean) and UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL). The PAN card re-print application is simple.

In this blog, you will learn the steps and process for applying for a lost or damaged PAN card. Additionally, you will know who can apply for it, and some tips to avoid losing them again. So read on and gather all the information.

Key Takeaways
  • Upon losing or damaging your PAN card, you can apply for a duplicate PAN card either online or offline. The PAN application remains the same for both residents and NRIs.
  • For the online application, you can use the Protean or UTIITSL website. You get the e-PAN instantly, and within 15-20 days, your physical PAN card is dispatched to your address.
  • If you are applying for your PAN card offline, you need to visit your nearby PAN facilitation centre along with the application form and required documents. Within 15-20 days, your physical PAN card is dispatched to your designated address.
  • The PAN card reprint application varies depending on the dispatch method and application mode.
  • Further, using your 15-digit acknowledgment number, you can track your duplicate PAN card application.

What is a Duplicate PAN Card?

A duplicate PAN card is a reissued version of your original PAN card. The Income Tax Department issues a duplicate PAN card when the original PAN card is damaged or misplaced by the cardholder.

As its name suggests, it is a duplicate, so it will have the same PAN number as your original PAN card. Additionally, the details on it will also be the same if you do not make any changes.

So, this was all about a duplicate PAN card. Moving ahead, let's discuss the process for applying for it.

What is the Process to Apply for a Duplicate PAN Card?

There are two ways to apply for a duplicate PAN card: online or offline. In the online option, you apply along with all the required documents at the UTITSL or Protean websites. For the offline option, you need to visit your nearby PAN facilitation centre. Now, let's know how you can apply for a duplicate PAN card online and offline.

Process to Apply for a Duplicate PAN Card

Online Application Process

Follow the steps below to apply for a duplicate PAN card online:

  • Step 1: Go to the Protean website.
  • Step 2: After visiting the website, under the "Tax Modernization" option, choose PAN.
  • Step 3: Click on the "Apply Now" option on the next screen, and you will move to a new page.
  • Step 4: Select 'Re-print of PAN card' and mention your PAN number, Aadhaar card number, date of birth, and if applicable, enter the GSTN number also.
  • Step 5: Tick the declaration, write the captcha code, and click on the 'Submit' option. 
  • Step 6: Once you click on the submit option, you will move to the payment option. Upon making the payment, you will receive a 15-digit acknowledgment number. This number will further assist you in tracking down your PAN application.

This is how you can apply for a duplicate PAN card online using the Protean website. Further, you can use the UTIITSL website to reprint your PAN card.

Offline Application Process

Here are the steps to apply for a duplicate PAN card offline:

  • Step 1: Visit the Protean website, and take a printout of the form for a new PAN card/ Changes, or corrections in PAN data.
  • Step 2: With a black pen, fill out the downloaded form in BLOCK letters.
  • Step 3: Enter your 10-digit PAN number.
  • Step 4: If you are applying for a duplicate PAN card as an individual, attach a passport-size, colored photo of yourself and cross-sign it. Ensure that your face in the photo does not cover with your signature.
  • Step 5: Fill out the remaining details in the form and sign the stated boxes. However, as you do not have any changes in your PAN card details, do not tick the sections stated on the left margins.
  • Step 6: Now send your PAN application along with the mentioned documents to the NSDL facilitation centre and pay the fee. Once you make the payment, you will receive a 15-digit acknowledgment number. Through this number, you can track down your PAN application status.
  • Step 7: For further action, the PAN facilitation center will send your duplicate PAN application to the Income-tax PAN services unit.

This is how you can apply for a duplicate PAN card online and offline. The duplicate PAN card application is the same for both resident taxpayers and NRIs. Additionally, within 15-20 days of your application submission, you will receive your physical PAN card. Further, if you opt for e-PAN, you receive it instantly after your application submission.

Now, let's know who is eligible to apply for a duplicate PAN card.

Who Can Apply for a Duplicate PAN Card?

In India, there are different types of taxpayers. It includes individuals (resident/ NRIs), companies, HUFs, and more. However, only individuals can file their PAN card application on their own. Considering this, to apply for a duplicate PAN card, all other taxpayers need to have an authorized signatory. Here is an idea: the table below lists the authorized signatories.

Taxpayer Category Authorized Signatory
Individual (resident/ NRI) Self
HUF Karta of the HUF
Firm/ Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Any partners of the LLP/ firm
Company Any of the directors of the company
Association of Persons (AOPs)/ Artificial Juridical Person/ Body of Individuals/ Local Authority As stated in the incorporation deeds authorized signatory

This was all about who can apply for a duplicate PAN card in India. Moving ahead, let's know the documents required at the time of re-printing a PAN card.

Documents Required for Reissue of PAN Card

Here is the list of documents that you need to submit when applying for a duplicate PAN card

  • Identity proof: Copy of passport/ Aadhaar card/ voter ID card/ driving license/ ration card, and more.
  • Address proof: Copy of driving license/ Aadhaar card/ passport/ voter ID card/ ration card, and more.
  • Date of birth proof: Copy of matriculation mark sheet/ driving license/ Aadhaar card/ passport/ voter ID card, and more.
  • Two passport-size color photographs.
  • If available, a photocopy of your originally-issued PAN card or the PAN card allotment letter.
  • Copy of FIR, in case the PAN card is lost or stolen.

So, these are the documents that you need to submit when applying for a duplicate PAN card. Moving on, let's look at tips to avoid losing your PAN card again.

Tips to Avoid Losing Your PAN Card in the Future

Follow the tips below to avoid losing your PAN card in the future:

Tips to Avoid Losing Your PAN Card

  • When not required, keep your PAN card safe at home. Have a box, folder, or envelope to keep the vital documents. This makes it easy to find it whenever needed.
  • Link your Aadhaar with your PAN card. It will create a joint identification that adds security. Doing so helps you in retrieving your PAN card details easily with your Aadhaar card number in case of loss. You can link your PAN with your Aadhaar simply by visiting the Income Tax e-filing portal.
  • Create digital backups by taking a photocopy and scanning your PAN card. Keep the physical copy of the card securely with your other documents. Additionally, you can also email yourself the scanned copy of the PAN card or save it on your drive.
  • If you do not need it, refrain from carrying your PAN card daily in your purse or wallet. It minimizes the chances of getting it damaged, misplaced, or stolen. In case you need it, carry a copy of it.
  • Further, using apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, or specialized digital lockers, save a scanned version of your PAN card securely. These tools generally have higher safety measures like passwords, encryption, locking, etc. Additionally, if needed urgently, this makes online access to your PAN card details.

So, by following the above-mentioned tips, you can avoid losing your original or duplicate PAN card in the future.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, losing your PAN card is stressful; however, applying for a duplicate PAN card is simpler than you think. Choose the offline or online method, then follow the simple application steps to reprint your PAN card. Also, always keep your PAN safe to avoid losing it again.

Further, looking for PAN card services for NRIs to apply for an NRI duplicate PAN card? Connect with Savetaxs and let our experts help you with this. We have a team of professionals who help you with your PAN application and provide you with all the required assistance.

*Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this guide are personal and do not constitute the views of Savetaxs. Savetaxs or the author will not be responsible for any direct or indirect loss incurred by the reader for taking any decision based on the information or the contents. It is advisable to consult either a CA, CS, CPA, or a professional tax expert from the Savetaxs team, as they are familiar with the current regulations and help you make accurate decisions and maintain accuracy throughout the whole process.

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Manish Prajapat (Tax Expert)

Mr Manish is a financial professional with over 10 years of experience in strategic financial planning, performance analysis, and compliance across different sectors, including Agriculture, Pharma, Manufacturing, & Oil and Gas. Mr Prajapati has a knack for managing financial accounts, driving business growth by optimizing cost efficiency and regulatory compliance. Additionally, he has expertise in developing financial models, preparing detailed cash flow statements, and closing the balance sheets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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If your PAN card is lost, you can apply for a duplicate PAN card by submitting the Form for "Request for New PAN card/ changes or correction in PAN data". Additionally, along with this form, you need to provide a copy of the FIR you filed for your lost PAN card.

There are several ways to retrieve your PAN card number if it is lost. You can use the Income Tax portal, select the "Know Your PAN" option, enter the required details, and verify it using an OTP. Use investment or bank statements, as the PAN number is often listed on the account or KYC documents. You can also contact the customer support team of UTIITSL or NSDL to know your PAN number.

Yes, PAN card replacement can be done online. For this, you need to visit the Protean website and take a printout of your PAN card. Through this process, you get a duplicate physical PAN card with the same details and number in case of damage, loss, or misplacement.

Yes, there is a fee to replace a lost or damaged PAN card. The cost of it depends on the application mode and whether the card is dispatched in India or outside India. If the PAN card is dispatched in India, INR 50 is charged, and if the card is dispatched outside India, INR 959 is charged.

Yes, you can track the status of your PAN card reissue application. You can do so by visiting the Protean Portal, which is one of the reliable methods available online to check the status of your PAN card application. Simply visit the portal and mention the requested details, and your PAN card status will appear on your screen.

Yes, NRIs need to provide proof of address for a PAN card reissue. It ensures the dispatch of a physical PAN card to a verifiable and valid address. For this, they can submit overseas bank statements or NRO/NRE account statements.