what is pan card number

The PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code issued by the Income Tax Department of India. This mandatory identifier is crucial for tracking all financial and tax-related transactions, such as filing Income Tax Returns and opening bank accounts. The number follows a specific structure, typically consisting of five alphabetic characters, followed by four sequential numerical digits, and ending with an alphabetic check digit. Notably, the fourth character indicates the PAN holder's status (e.g., 'P' for an individual), and the fifth character represents the first letter of the holder's surname or the entity's name.