To enable eligible Entities verify Permanent Account Numbers (PANs), Income Tax Department (ITD) has authorized National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) to launch an online PAN verification service for verification of PANs by authorized entities.
Entities who can avail of this facility:
Government Agencies (Central/State)
Reserve Bank of India
Banks
Depositories
Depository Participants
Mutual Funds
Companies (Required to furnish Annual Information Return)
Credit card Companies / Institutions
Any other entity required to furnish Annual Information Return
Stock Exchanges
Companies and Government deductor (Required to file TDS/TCS return)
Any other entity approved by ITD
Service
This service has three modes of verification:
(1) Screen based verification
(2) File based verification
(3) Software (API) Based Verification
(1) Screen based Verification:
The users, after login, can furnish up to a maximum of five PANs in the screen provided. The PANs may be entered in the boxes provided in the screen and then submitted. The response giving details of PAN will be displayed in the response screen.
(2) File based Verification:
The users, after login, can upload a file containing maximum of 200 PANs (file structure as specified by NSDL). The site will make available, within 24 hours, a response file containing details of the PANs. In case, file format is incorrect, the system will convey the rejection within 24 hours. The entity can download the response at his convenience up to 15 days.
(3) Software (API) based PAN verification:
The facility is an interface that allows the user to make an online verification of PAN by accessing the verification-site through a software application.
Response to the user:
In case of valid PAN, name of the PAN holder, last date of PAN update as per ITD database and the status as “existing and valid” will be displayed. If the PAN is a fake PAN as per ITD database, the status will be shown as “Fake PAN”.
In case the PAN is not found in database, the response will be “not in ITD database”. In such cases, if the user is able to provide a proof of this PAN (copy of PAN card or PAN allotment letter), NSDL will forward the same to ITD for investigation.
