PAN And PRAN Card; What is the difference between PAN and a PRAN card? Where are they used, who can use them...

A PAN Card is mandatory for all taxpayers in the country. Just as a PAN card has a unique number of 10 digits, similarly Permanent Retirement Account Number card (PRAN Card) has a unique number of 12 digits. PAN and PRAN may look similar but their purposes are completely different.

PAN card is issued by the Income Tax Department. It is necessary for all tax-related purposes, while PRAN is very important for those investing in the National Pension System (NPS).

What is a PAN card?
PAN card is issued by the Income Tax Department. It is a 10-digit alphanumeric number. A PAN card is essential for all taxpayers as this card manages to record tax-related transactions and information. Apart from this, a PAN card is also mandatory for filing an ITR.

What is a PRAN card?
PRAN is a unique 12-digit number issued by National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL). It is mandatory for all subscribers under the National Pension System (NPS). PRAN helps to track all transactions related to NPS investments and claim pension benefits.

What is the difference between PAN and PRAN?
P.R.A.N.
An individual can have two types of NPS accounts under PRAN which include Tier-I and Tier-II.

PRAN, which acts as an identity for all existing and new NPS subscribers, also helps them keep track of their pension funds.

PRAN is a kind of unique ID that is provided to NPS investors.

Application for PRAN has to be made on the NSDL portal. For this, you need a photo and KYC documents.

PRAN records are maintained by the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA).
A customer can have only one PRAN account.

PAN card
PAN card is used for all income tax-related transactions as well as investments. It is used by individuals and business institutions carrying out loan-related financial transactions.

It works as a valid KYC document.

PAN application can be made on the NSDL portal or e-filing portal.

To apply, the taxpayer needs an ID proof, address proof, a photograph, and date of birth proof.

PAN record is maintained by the Income Tax Department.

As per current tax laws, holding more than one PAN is not permitted.
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