PAN Card for Students – Online/Offline Application Process

A PAN card for students can be issued whether they are minors or above 18 years of age. Students who are 18 or older can apply for a regular PAN card through the standard online or offline process. There is no separate category called a “student PAN card.” For students below 18 years, parents or guardians must apply on their behalf by submitting a Minor PAN card application.

Let’s look at why having a PAN card for students is important and the key situations where it’s required. 

Requirement of PAN Card for Students

There are many uses of obtaining a PAN card by students, which are as follows:

• Students can use the PAN card to open bank accounts.
• Students can use it to get a student loan for higher education.
• Students require a PAN card to buy a motor vehicle that amounts to more than Rs 5 lakh.
• Students will need a PAN card if they need to apply for a debit or credit card.
• Students studying abroad or planning to study abroad will also need a PAN card for foreign exchange.

Procedure to Apply for Student PAN Card

Students can apply for a PAN card as an adult or minor, depending upon the age, either online or offline. The process to apply for a Minor PAN card when the student’s age is below 18 years is provided here. 

The process for applying for a PAN card for students above 18 years is provided below.

Online Procedure to Apply for a Student PAN Card

Students may apply for a PAN card online through either the NSDL website or the UTIITSL website. 

The process of PAN card application via the NSDL website are as follows:

Step 1: Read the PAN card instructions for filing Form 49A at – https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/Instructions49A.html.

Step 2: Visit the official NSDL website.

Step 3: Select the ‘Application Type’ option as ‘New PAN – Indian Citizen (Form 49A)’ from the drop-down box and the ‘Category’ option as ‘Individual’.

Step 4: Fill in the PAN card application form with the required details, such as name, email ID, phone number, date of birth, captcha code and click the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 5: Select either the ‘Submit digitally through e-KYC and e-Sign’, ‘Submit scanned images through e-Sign’ or ‘Forward application documents physically’ option.

Step 6: Enter the personal details, parent details, contact details, AO code (not mandatory to enter) and click the ‘Next’ button.

Step 7: Upload the required documents, pay the prescribed fee, and click the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 8: It will generate the acknowledgement number from which the students can track the PAN application status online.

Step 9: When the ‘Forward application documents physically’ is selected, the applicant has to affix a recent photograph on the printed application form, enclose all the required documents in an envelope and post it to the Protean eGov Technologies Limited office at Pune.

Step 10: When the ‘Submit digitally through e-KYC and e-Sign’ or ‘Submit scanned images through e-Sign’ option is selected, there is no need to send the documents physically. The respective authority will verify the application submitted online.

Upon successfully verifying the application, the PAN card will be delivered to the students by post within 15-20 working days. 

The process of PAN card application via the UTIITSL website are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the UTIITSL website.

Step 2: Select the ‘PAN Card Services’ option available on the homepage and click the ‘Apply PAN Card’ option from the drop-down list.

Step 3: A new tab will open. Scroll down and select the ‘PAN Card for Indian Citizen/NRI’ option. 

Step 4: Scroll down and click the ‘Apply for a New PAN Card (Form 49A)’ button on the next tab.

Step 5: On the next page, choose either the ‘Physical Mode’ or ‘Digital Mode’. When the ‘Digital Mode’ is selected, choose either the ‘Aadhaar based e-KYC option and e-Sign’ or ‘DSC Mode’.

Step 6: Then, select the category as ‘Individual’, select the ‘PAN Card Mode’ and click the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 7: Enter the personal details, parent details, contact details, AO code (not mandatory to enter) and click the ‘Next’ button.

Step 8: Upload the required documents and proceed to make the fee payment via debit card, credit card, demand draft or net banking and click the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 9: An acknowledgement number will be given that the students can use to track the status of the application. 

When the ‘Physical mode’ is selected, the applicant has to affix recent photographs on the printed application form and enclose the required documents along with the form in an envelope and post them to the  UTIITSL office in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi. 

When the ‘Digital Mode’ option is selected, there is no need to send the documents physically. The respective authority will verify the application submitted online.

Upon the successful verification of the application, the PAN card will be sent to the address of the students within 10-15 working days.

Offline Procedure to Apply for a Student PAN Card

Step 1: Download the PAN Application Form 49A from the official NSDL website.

Step 2: Read the instructions for filling the Form 49A stated below the form.

Step 3: Fill in all the details on the form as per the instructions. 

Step 4: Attach a copy of the required documents.

Step 5: Submit the application form with the necessary documents to the nearest NSDL/UTIITSL office or PAN centre along with the prescribed fees.

Step 6: The students will receive an acknowledgement number upon submission of the application through which they can track the status of the application.

After the successful verification of the PAN application, the PAN card will be sent to the address of the students.

Documents for PAN Card Application

Students above 18 years need to submit their identity proof, address proof and date of birth proof documents. When the students are below 18 years, and they apply for a Minor PAN card, the minor should submit the date of birth proof document. However, the parents of the minor should submit their identity proof and address proof documents for obtaining a Minor PAN card for their child.

The documents required for a Minor PAN card are provided here. Below are the documents required for applying for a PAN card for students above 18 years.

• Passport size photographs.
• Proof of identity documents.
• Proof of residence documents.
• Proof of date of birth documents.

The students can upload or submit any one of these below documents as proof of identity documents:

• Aadhaar card.
• Driving license.
• Voter’s ID.
• Ration card with a photograph.
• Passport.
• Bank certificate signed by the bank manager.
• Original ID certificate attested by a Gazetted Officer or an MLA, MP or Municipal Councilor.

The students can upload or submit any one of these below documents as proof of identity documents:

• Aadhaar card.
• Voter ID.
• Driving license.
• Passport.
• Post office passbook containing the student’s address.
• Government-issued domicile certificate.
• Electricity bill, gas connection or telephone bill not older than three months.
• Bank account statement not older than three months.
• Letter of allotment accommodation issued by the Central or State Government not older than three years.
• Original certificate of address attested by Gazetted Officer or an MLA, MP or Municipal Councilor.

The students can upload or submit any one of these below documents as proof of date of birth documents:

• Aadhaar card.
• Voter ID.
• Driving license.
• Passport.
• Matriculation certificate or marksheet.
• Birth certificate. 
• Domicile certificate issued by the government.

Advantages of Having PAN Card by Students

There are many benefits of having a PAN card for students, which are as follows:

• The PAN card acts as a photo-ID proof for public exams, which the government and private institutions accept.
• A PAN card is a lifelong ID card, unlike a passport that needs renewal. Thus, a PAN card is a convenient document for the individuals/students to link all financial or other transactions to one single ID card.
• Students can apply for loans for higher education by submitting the PAN card as ID proof.
• It is useful for filing IT returns and investing in mutual funds.

Now that you know how to link PAN card online for students and the PAN card documents required for students, you can complete the process quickly and confidently. A PAN card is a crucial document for students. Whether it’s for getting a bank account, applying for student loans, or investing, having a PAN card ensures you’re ready for future financial transactions. 

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