How to identify fake PAN card

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number provided by the Income Tax Department. The tax department provides the PAN in a laminated form.

An individual’s PAN serves as an identifier for the "person" for the tax department. Tax payments, TDS/TCS credits, income/wealth/gift/FBT returns, defined transactions, correspondence, and so on are certain examples of transactions that can be tracked using one’s PAN.

It is important to note that each person should only have one PAN card, and obtaining or possessing more than one PAN card is illegal and can result in a fine of up to Rs 10,000, as per tax laws. This applies to those holding fake PAN as well.


What is Enhanced QR Code Reader for PAN Card?
Enhanced QR Code Reader for PAN Card is an application created under the direction of NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure (NSDL eGov) for reading information from a PAN Card using the new QR Code capability.
Newer PAN cards issued come with a QR code on the front-side.

According to NSDL, the application reads the Enhanced QR Code printed on the PAN Card. The same is used to verify the information on the PAN Card.

How it works?
You do not need to create an account in the app to use it. The software uses the phone’s camera to read the QR code and display the information within it, which it compares to the PAN Card holder's information. After the QR code is read by the application, you have to agree to not divulge or misuse the information received.

“You are refrained from taking screenshots, keeping the information stored in your phone or other communication devices. You represent and warrant that:
you will not indulge in any malpractices whatsoever
you will not reverse engineer the application
you will not abuse or misused the services,” according to NSDL website.

How to scan using app?
Download the app Enhanced PAN QR Code Reader from the Playstore
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pv.scr.pancardreader&hl=en

Make sure it is developed by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited.

Once you download and open, a green plus-like graphic will appear in the camera viewfinder. To scan a PAN card, point your camera at it. Make sure the plus-like graphic on the PAN card is in the centre of the QR code.

When the scan is complete, you will be provided with the information from the database and compare to check the PAN details in your hand match with PAN details from the database.