We always fear losing our necessary personal documents while travelling, don't we?

DigiLocker is a fantastic solution in such an instance where we will not have to carry our documents yet we can access them whenever we require. DigiLocker helps in storing your driving licence, Voter ID card, policy documents, and most importantly, your Permanent Identification number or PAN card.

Navigate through this write-up to know the simple steps that link your PAN card in DigiLocker and its importance.

DigiLocker is a cloud-based platform that reduces paperwork and allows the issuance, storage and sharing of the necessary documents and certifications in a digital form. Besides verifying, this cloud service allows you to select registered organisations so that you can provide e-copies in digital lockers.

For the PAN card integration facility, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has ventured with DigiLocker. The process of how to add a PAN card in DigiLocker is very simple and comes in easy steps. Here they are as follows:

Step 1: Go to the DigiLocker website, and if you are a member already, sign in with your account details.

Step 2: As you log in, you will notice an "Issued Documents" section in the top left corner.

Step 3: Under “Issued Documents", you will notice a "Pull Documents” link. Click on this option.

Step 4: Then, under it, you will see a drop-down marking partner name, select "Income Tax Department" and move to the "Document Type" option.

Step 5: This section will show the "PAN Card" option, which you must select.

Step 6: Now, search your documents by entering details such as your name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, etc. Ensure that they match your PAN card details.

Step 7: Next, enter your PAN number and select the gender section, tick on the “Agree With” section and tap on “Get Documents”

Step 8: You will notice a ‘Congratulations” message. That means DigiLocker has received your PAN data.

Step 9: To access this link, move to the "Issued Documents" section and do the same. Your PAN data will be stored on the DigiLocker official site and the app as well.

Step 10: Click on the "Get document" section to get the link. Your PAN is integrated with DigiLocker, so you can view your document or save the link.

While following this procedure of ‘how to link a PAN card to DigiLocker’, remember you can also access it through the app. You just need to open your DigiLocker app and provide your Aadhaar number to sign up. Then follow the similar steps as a website to get your link.

Apart from the PAN Card, there are several other documents that you can upload and download in the DigiLocker app. However, if you simply upload a scanned copy of your PAN card in DigiLocker, it will not be accepted as authentic. In that case, you need to get a document issued by the Income Tax Department.

Here are the details on how you can download the PAN card in the DigiLocker app:

Step 1: Begin by logging in to the DigiLocker app from your mobile phone.

Step 2: Then, click on the search icon that you will notice in the bottom right section of your app.

Step 3: Search for the “Income Tax Department, Govt. of India, All States” section.

Step 4: Now, click on "PAN Verification Record'. You can easily search for your PAN by simply entering your gender and PAN card details.

Step 5: Do not forget to click on the consent clause and click "Get Document".

Your PAN card will easily get downloaded in your DigiLocker app. You can share these documents with any person whenever required.

Since digitisation is the primary motto behind the government advancing towards DigiLocker, there are several other importance of linking PAN cards to this cloud service. They are as follows:

• Safety of Documents: DigiLocker ensures the complete safety of your PAN Card details and allows you to access your document whenever required. This application boasts a 256-bit SSL certificate. This means that all the information you provide is encrypted, which safeguards your personal details in PAN.
• Reduces Fraudery: As documents can now be shared in a much easier process, this reduces the risk of fraud. However, you will have to ensure that you do not share your crucial DigiLocker number or PAN card details with any person who is not required to. Furthermore, avoid using DigiLocker via public Wi-Fi systems or hotspots or from any other computers.
• Quick and Easy Document Verification: While applying for any government examination or service, government agencies might ask for PAN card details for legal verification. In that case, just provide your locker number, which will help the agencies to verify your identity without any concern quickly. This simple process prevents carrying the original PAN card document and reduces the risk of misplacing them.
• Secure Signing Method: Self-attestation or e-Signature is a digital signature that you require to carry out to validate any document. This is a safe method allowing you to digitally sign your PAN card online. Since it is a one-time process, you do not need to repeat this process several times to verify each time. Unlike a private digital signature that claims annual fees, DigiLocker claims none.
• Instigate Paperless Documentation: DigiLocker contributes to our government's wonderful initiative of promoting paperless documents that focuses on saving paper for the future. So, you can easily upload your scanned PAN card after successfully completing the registration procedure. This includes uploading your other necessary documents too.
• Ample Storage Space: All citizens will be provided with an initial storage space of 10MB absolutely for free to store their PAN details and other necessary details. However, the government of India is planning to extend the space to 1GB more for every locker. This will help you to store more documents.

Now that you know why it is essential to store your personal documentation in DigiLocker, let us discuss how it is beneficial for you and the government.

A PAN card is a crucial document every citizen carries. Misplacing or losing it will lead to unnecessary hassle. Therefore, it is best to upload it in a completely safe system that eliminates the fear of losing it. There are a lot of benefits to uploading a PAN Card in DigiLocker. Here they are as follows:

Benefits for Customer (Indian Citizens)

DigiLocker initiates several benefits to the Indian citizens, which are as follows:

• Smooth Claim Processing: DigiLocker will smoothen claim processing and settlements of procedures where a PAN card is required through efficient handling.
• Lowering Maintenance Cost: This cloud-based app will reduce the cost of PAN card maintenance for many Indian citizens.
• Enhance Turnaround Time: DigiLocker promises to improve the overall turnaround time when carrying insurance services where you need PAN details.
• Increased Accessibility: The platform makes it easy for individuals to access their PAN details whenever and wherever required.

As you upload documents, you are able to do the following activities easily:

• Log-out After Work Completion: DigiLocker is a cloud storage platform. Therefore you can easily log out of your account after completing your work. However, do not share your PAN details with others.
• Smooth Data Access: If you require to urgently check your PAN Card details, you can easily access your data or remove them by clicking the 'Remove' option.
• Save Documents Anywhere: This app allows you to save necessary documents, such as your PAN Card, anytime and anywhere in India. You just need to know the right processes and follow the steps.
• Easily Authenticate PAN Details: You can authenticate PAN details, legally with the original physical copy, anytime as the registered users of DigiLocker directly issue them.
• Easily Sign via e-Sign: Citizens are able to sign or e-Sign and share their PAN Card details digitally.
• Allows Company Access: As you handle this app, you will see a requester button. This allows companies or institutions to check your PAN details if you add these organisations to your 'Requester' option.

Benefits for Government Agencies

Besides the policyholders, government organisations and agencies also benefit from using DigiLocker. Government agencies are easily able to verify these data directly from the issuers after they provide consent. Further benefits are as follows:

• Reduction in Administrative Overhead: Since the DigiLocker process cut down the lengthy verification process and the use of paper, it also reduces the functioning of several administrative overheads.
• Fast Digital Transformation: This fantastic app generates the issued documents directly from the issuing agency in real time. Hence, fast digital transformation ensures faster service.
• Instant Real-Time Verification: DigiLocker allows a safe verification system where government agencies can verify your data directly from issuers after the issuers give their consent.

Now you have all the details about linking your PAN card to DigiLocker and its importance. However, if you face any difficulty in doing so, seek help from an experienced person. It should be someone who has already undergone the system.