PAN 2.0: If New PAN Cards Are QR-Code Enabled, Will Older Ones Still Be Valid?

With the rollout of the PAN 2.0 project by the Income Tax Department (ITD), a lot of buzz has surrounded the new system, especially its QR code-enabled PAN cards. Many PAN card holders would wonder ‘Will my old PAN card remain valid? Do I need to get a new one?’

The government, in November 2024, approved the PAN 2.0 project which is expected to simplify various processes associated with PAN such as issuance, corrections, reprint, and updates by integrating everything into a single portal. It also aims to make the system completely paperless to bring more convenience for taxpayers and businesses.

Do You Need To Replace Your Old PAN Card?

The short answer to this is No. If you already have a PAN card, you do not need to apply for a new one just because PAN 2.0 is being introduced. Your existing PAN number and card remain valid under the upgraded system.

This clarification has come directly from the ITD, which in the PAN 2.0 FAQ has stated that older cards without QR codes will continue to function as they always have. There is no specific requirement to replace them unless you need to make corrections or updates to your details.

What Is Special About The New QR Codes?

You should know that QR codes on PAN cards are not entirely a new feature. They have been around since 2017-18. However, under the PAN 2.0 system, these QR codes will come with an upgrade. As per the ITD, the new dynamic QR codes will display the latest data from the PAN database, including the cardholder’s name, photograph, signature, date of birth, and parent’s name (father or mother’s).

So, if you hold a PAN card issued before QR codes were introduced, you can choose to request a reprint of your card with the QR code, but this is entirely optional. It will not affect the validity of your existing PAN.

Are QR Codes Important?

The QR codes have been designed to validate your PAN details quickly and efficiently.

For example, any government agency, financial institution, or anyone verifying your PAN can simply scan the code using a dedicated QR reader app and confirm your details instantly.

Such a system reduces the chances of fraud and speeds up the verification process.

Moreover, the tax department has also informed that “No new PAN card will be delivered unless the PAN holder requests for it owing to any updation/correction in their existing PAN.

Only PAN holders who want to update old addresses can do so free of cost using an Aadhaar-based online facility by either of the following links, depending on which agency has issued your PAN. You can find the mention of the same on the back of your PAN card.

Visiting the following URLs for address change:

i) https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/PAN_ONLINE/homeaddresschange

ii) https://www.onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/endUserAddressUpdate.html

Free Updates And Corrections

One of the major announcements under PAN 2.0 is that updating or correcting details like your name, address, or contact information will now be free of cost. These changes can be done through Aadhaar-based online facilities or, once fully implemented, via the unified PAN portal.

However, if you need a physical PAN card with updated details, you will have to pay a nominal fee of Rs 50 for delivery within India, and for foreign deliveries, Rs 15 plus India post charges will be applicable.

Will PAN numbers Change?

No, the PAN number itself will not change as per the official FAQs. The same 10-digit alphanumeric PAN you already have will remain your permanent identifier under the new system.

The Unified Portal

Currently, the PAN-related services are hosted on three different portals namely, the e-filing portal, UTIITSL Portal, and the Protean e-Gov portal (formerly known as NSDL).

Under the PAN 2.0 project, the government is planning to create a unified portal where all services related to PAN/TAN-related services will be hosted on a single portal.

The said Portal would host all end-to-end services related to PAN and TAN like allotment, updation, correction, Online PAN Validation (OPV), Know your AO, AADHAAR-PAN linking, verify your PAN, request for e-PAN, request for re-print of PAN card, etc.

Bottom Line

If you have an older PAN card without a QR code, there is no reason to worry. It will continue to function just as it always has. The PAN 2.0 project is focused on improving the convenience and technology rather than simply replacing the existing cards. So, unless you need to update your details or want a reprint of your PAN card with a QR code, you can sit back and relax.