Aadhaar Card is an identity proof for Indian residents containing a 12 digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on behalf of the government.
Any Indian resident can register for Aadhaar. One can download the online form on the UIDAI website or take it from an Aadhaar enrolment center and complete the process by submitting supporting documents besides completing a biometric verification step. The verification procedure also involves demographic confirmation, for Aadhaar is proof of residence also.
All Indian residents are assigned Aadhaar numbers free of cost including newborns, who are issued ‘Baal Aadhaar’. One must have Aadhaar to redeem a multitude of government schemes & benefits like PDS.
READ MORE: What is masked Aadhaar and how to download it online
Methods to link Aadhaar and PAN
At the time of filing an income tax return, it is imperative that PAN (Permanent account number) and Aadhaar are linked. There are two methods to link these with each other.
Through the E-filing tax portal
To link online, visit the income tax website (www.incometax.gov.in) and click on the ‘Link Aadhaar’ option that would appear on the left side of the screen under quick links.
A form will appear on the screen, fill in all the details that will include the Aadhaar number, PAN, and your name (without spelling errors as on Aadhaar).
After this, click on ‘link Aadhaar’ a captcha verification will have to be completed. Following this, if there is no discrepancy, a pop-up message will appear on the screen stating that the linking process has been completed.
READ MORE: Is it mandatory for NRIs to link PAN to Aadhaar? We explain
Through SMS
One can link his/her Aadhaar and PAN through an SMS-based facility provided by the Income Tax Department. It can be done by sending an SMS to either 567678 or 56161 from your registered mobile number in the following format:
UIDPAN<SPACE><12 digit Aadhaar><Space><10 digit PAN>
There is no denying the fact that aadhaar is now a ubiquitous identity proof, increasingly used for everything – from filing an income tax return to availing the government subsidies and social benefits. And in case you have yet to link your aadhaar to the PAN card, kindly do it at the earliest via either of the two options mentioned above.