PAN Card Now Valid For Identity Verification: How It Benefits You

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) card will now serve as a valid document for identity verification, marking a significant update in financial regulations. According to the revised technical guidelines issued by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) on Wednesday, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has now included the PAN card at par with other officially valid documents. This change aims to simplify the verification process for users and enhance transparency in financial transactions.
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Experts believe that validating PAN as an identity proof will streamline financial procedures, making them more efficient and user-friendly.

PAN Card Verification for Information Utilities


As per the updated guidelines issued by IBBI, information utilities (IUs) must now obtain a Sub-Authentication User Agency (SUA) license from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This will allow them to carry out demographic authentication of users during the registration process, further ensuring the credibility of financial data.

Additionally, IBBI has mandated that information utilities use PAN or any other officially valid document (OVD) to verify the identity of users seeking access to data related to corporate debtors (CDs).


IUs are responsible for maintaining electronic databases containing financial information about corporate debtors, including:

  • Loan records
  • Balance sheets
  • Cash flow statements
  • Details of assets

This initiative is expected to eliminate incorrect information, reduce delays, and prevent disputes in insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings. Experts suggest that this move reflects a proactive and pragmatic approach by IBBI, ensuring greater transparency and seamless financial processes.

Government Introduces PAN 2.0

The government has also introduced PAN 2.0, a new and advanced version of the traditional PAN card system, similar to m-Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar. The digital transformation of PAN aims to enhance its usability for identity verification, KYC, and authentication purposes.