Theme: Government & Elections

Use of Defence Forces for Campaigning

One cannot use defence forces for campaigning purposes i.e. no political party or candidate should use the photographs of any defence forces or army staff during their campaign. Their photographs or functions cannot be mentioned in advertisements.1

Some examples of violations of MCC by using armed forces for campaigning are:

  • If a candidate campaigns by using the name of army personnel to get votes.
  • If a candidate or political party campaigns by putting up posters and billboards with the pictures of defence personnel.
  1. Heading 9.8, Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct [↩]

Learner’s License

A Learner’s License1 is a temporary license which is valid for 6 months, which legally allows you to practice driving on Indian roads, as long as you are accompanied by an adult who holds a valid Driving License.2 Please note that you must be 18 years old before you apply for a DL for a vehicle other than a transport vehicle, so you need to get your Learner’s License renewed or get a new one, depending on the regulations of your state, if you get your Learner’s License before you turn 18 years of age. For example, in some states you can get your learners license after the age of 16 years to drive a motorbike of 50 cc with the permission of your parents or guardian.

You can apply for a DL in any state where you either live or ordinarily conduct business, or where a school of driving is located from where you have taken your training.3 The DL is issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO)/ Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of each State, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,.

Criteria for Grant of Learner’s License

Any person can be granted a Learner’s License, if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are at least 16 years of age4.
  • Your parents/guardians have given consent, in case you want to drive a motorcycle without gear5
  • You are not disqualified from holding3 a Driving License

Precautions to be taken while Driving with a Learner’s License

You should take the following precautions while driving a motor vehicle with a learner’s permit:

  • You are accompanied by an adult who holds a valid Driving License who will be able to control or stop the vehicle, if necessary2
  • The letter “L” is painted, in the front and the rear of the vehicle, or a sign is affixed with the letter “L”. The painting should be at least 18 centimeters square, and the letter “L” should be at least 10 centimeters high, 2 centimeters thick and 9 centimeters wide at the bottom.2
  • You are not carrying any passengers with you, if you are on a motorcycle, except your instructor.6

Penalty for Underage Driving

There is a strict penalty in place for those who allow minor persons to drive their motor vehicles without following the provisions mentioned above. Further, the juvenile will be punished under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, in addition to the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.7

You can get a new Learner’s License, get it renewed or get a duplicate. If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

  1. Transport Department (Government of Delhi), Learner License, http://transport.delhi.gov.in/content/learner-licence [↩]
  2. Rule 3(b), Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. [↩] [↩] [↩]
  3. Section 8(1), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩] [↩]
  4. Section 4(1), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 [↩]
  5. Section 72, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; Rule 12, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. [↩]
  6. Rule 3, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. [↩]
  7. Section 199A(6), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

What is the process of Voting as a Service Voter?

Once you have received your ballot papers, follow the steps mentioned below to cast your vote as a service voter1:

Step 1

  • Put a tick mark (✓) or cross mark (x) next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for.
  • You must not write or mark anything on the ballot paper that would reveal your identity.

Step 2

  • Fill Form 13A declaring that you have cast your postal ballot. Attest it by a notary/stipendiary magistrate or the commanding officer of your unit, ship or establishment (depending upon which wing of the armed forces you are from).
  • If you are a government official serving abroad, you must get it attested by the diplomatic or consular representative of India at the country where you are posted.

Step 3

  • Note down the serial number of your ballot paper on the Form 13B cover and Place your marked ballot paper inside it and seal it according to the instructions.

Step 4

  • Put your duly filled and sealed Form 13A and Form 13B in the envelope provided (Form 13C). The envelope will already be addressed to your Returning Officer.
  • You do not need to affix any postal stamp on your envelope.
  • If you are a government official casting your postal ballot then you can send it either by airmail or as a diplomatic package.
  • Post it by the time and date timelines mentioned.

If you send it after the fixed time, your vote will not be counted.

  1. Service Electors FAQ, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/voter-electors/service-voter/faqs-service-electors-r13/ [↩]

Unfair Election Practices by Candidates

There are many practices during an election campaign that candidates are not supposed to do, which count as unfair election practices by the candidates, such as1:

  • Using official vehicles without permission.
  • Booth capturing.
  • Using the help of gazetted officers, stipendiary judges and magistrates, members of the armed forces, members of police forces, excise officers, revenue officers (other than village revenue officers like Patels, Deshmukhs), etc. for election campaigning.
  • Advertising using Government money and public funds.
  • Using religion during campaigning.
  • Using armed forces during campaigning.
  • Unfair use of public grounds and spaces for campaigning
  • Unfair use of print media, television, radio, social media etc.
  1. Section 123, Representation of Peoples Act, 1951. [↩]

Renewal of Learner’s License

As a Learner’s License is valid only for 6 months, you need to get it renewed or get a new one once that period has passed.

You can renew your Learner’s License, which is valid for 6 months, or obtain a new one after the date of its expiry, depending on the rules of your state. This procedure varies across states, so you should check the rules specific to your state. For example, in Haryana, you can renew your Learner’s License only once.1

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

  1. IndiaGov Archive, Obtain Driving License: Haryana, https://archive.india.gov.in/howdo/service_detail.php?formid=151&service=6. [↩]

How do you cast a Postal Ballot as a Service Voter?

If you are registered as a service voter in your home constituency, i.e. constituency where your permanent residence is, and you are posted elsewhere when the elections are announced, the Returning Officer of your home constituency will send you and your wife postal ballots.

The Returning officer will send you the following forms/papers for you to cast your vote:

  • A postal ballot paper (with your electoral roll number and the initials ‘PB’ written on the backside of the form by the Returning Officer)
  • Form 13A, i.e. a declaration saying that you have casted your vote.
  • Form 13B i.e. a cover for placing your marked ballot paper
  • Form 13C i.e. a cover with your duly filled Form 13A and Form 13B addressed to the Returning Officer
  • Form 13D i.e. a copy of the instructions explaining how to cast your vote along with time and date by which you should send the ballots back)

If the postal ballot is received by the Returning Officer as undelivered, he will send it to you again by post. You can even ask the Returning Officer to have the postal ballot delivered to you personally.

If for some reason your postal ballot gets damaged and you cannot cast your vote through it, you can ask your Returning Officer to send you a second set of ballot papers and return the spoiled ones back to him. Only if the Returning Officer is satisfied that they are indeed spoiled, he will send you a second set.

To reduce the time of sending ballot papers, the Election Commission has set up an ETPB method – Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots. By using ETPB, the Returning Officer can send you the ballot papers electronically and you can download the same using an OTP (One Time Pin) generated specifically for you. Once you have entered your OTP, you can download your forms accordingly. For further information, please refer to the Election Commission’s Service Voter Portal.1

Once you have received your ballot papers, follow the steps mentioned below to cast your vote:

Step 1

In order to cast your vote on the postal ballot you must either out a tick mark (✓) or cross mark (x) next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for. But you must not write or mark anything on the ballot paper that would reveal your identity.

Step 2

Fill in Form 13A declaring that you have casted your postal ballot and get it attested by a notary/stipendiary magistrate or the commanding officer of your unit, ship or establishment (depending upon which wing of the armed forces you are from). If you are a government official serving abroad, you must get it attested by the diplomatic or consular representative of India at the country where you are posted.

Step 3

After marking your vote and getting your declaration attested, note down the serial number of your ballot paper on the Form 13B cover and place your marked ballot paper inside it and seal it.

Step 4

Take the sealed Form 13B and your Form 13A declaration and put it in an envelope (Form 13C) addressed to your Returning Officer and post it by the time and date mentioned accordingly. You do not need to affix any postal stamp on your envelope. If you send it after the fixed time, your vote will not be counted. If you are a government official casting your postal ballot then you can send it either by airmail or as a diplomatic package.

  1. ETPBS & Service Voter, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/divisions-of-eci/it-applications-etpbs-servicevoter/ [↩]

Candidate’s Legal Duties to the Community

Candidates while campaigning have a duty to1:

Not Spread Hatred

Candidates should not promote or attempt to promote any feelings of enmity or hatred in the name of religion, race, caste, community, language, etc. by a candidate or a political party.

For example, if a candidate while campaigning asks the Hindu community to vote for him/her, with the promise of eradicating other religious minorities, then this is a practice of spreading hatred among the people.

Not to Promote Sati

Candidates should not propagate or glorify sati since it is not only banned under the MCC but also the law.

For example, if a candidate promises to bring back the sati practice in a community in exchange for votes, then it is a violation of the MCC.

Not Make False Statements

Making false statements in connection with an election to influence the voters to vote for or refrain from voting for a candidate is a violation of the MCC.

For example, if a candidate makes a statement saying that the EVM Machine is recorded and threatening voters with consequences if they do not vote for him, then it is a violation of the MCC.

  1. Chapter 4, Heading 4.4, Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct. [↩]

Duplicate/Lost Learner’s License

If you have lost or damaged your Learner’s License, you can get a duplicate Learner’s License with your application number and date of birth. Follow the steps given below to get a print-out of your Learner’s License:

Step 1 – You should visit the website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and select the State. This will redirect you to a page that will ask you for your application number and date of birth.

Step 2 – You should fill in the required details.

Step 3 – You can then print your Learner’s License.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

What is Proxy voting for Service Voters?

If you are a service voter belonging to either of the following two categories, then you have an option to vote through a proxy at your home constituency1:

  • Armed forces of the Union
  • Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Seema Sashastra Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, General Engineering Reserve Force and Border Roads Organisation under Border Roads Development Board

If you choose this option to vote, you will be recognised as a ‘Classified Service Voter’ (CSV).

This option is NOT available to armed police forces of a State or government officials and diplomats serving abroad.

You can appoint any person living in your home constituency as your proxy if they are:

  • Someone who has been living in that constituency for some time and is a citizen of India
  • Above 18 years of age
  • Not banned from registering as a voter on the electoral roll of that constituency.

How to Appoint a Proxy1

Sign a duly filled Form 13F before your commanding officer of your unit, ship or establishment and send it to the person who you are appointing as proxy. The proxy will have to sign the form in front of a notary or a First Class Magistrate and submit it to the Returning Officer at your constituency. If you are at your home constituency, both you and your proxy can sign Form 13F before a notary or a First Class Magistrate.

You can exercise this option of voting through proxy only till you remain a service voter.

Once appointed, they will continue to be your proxy till you revoke their appointment, or till they die. If you wish to revoke this to back to voting through postal ballots, you must fill Form 13G and send it to your Returning Officer. As soon as he receives the duly filled form, the proxy will be revoked.

How to vote through proxy1

Your proxy will cast your vote at the polling station, by following the standard procedure set for general voters. This vote that your proxy will cast will be in addition to the one they may cast in their own name. For the vote that the proxy casts for you, the indelible ink marking will be made on the middle finger of their left hand.

  1. Service Electors FAQ, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/voter-electors/service-voter/faqs-service-electors-r13/ [↩] [↩] [↩]

Use of Government Property for Political Meeting and Campaigning

The political party in power or their candidates are not allowed to monopolize the use of public places like maidans, helipads, etc for holding public meetings.

For this purpose, political parties and candidates are allowed to use public or government-owned spaces such as playgrounds of schools, colleges and other educational institutions or other such public properties, provided that1:

  • Academic calendar of school/college is not disturbed under any circumstances.
  • The school/college management has no objection, and prior permission for such campaigning is obtained from them as well as Sub Divisional Officer concerned.
  • Such permission is granted on first-come-first served basis and no political party is allowed to monopolize use of such grounds.
  • There is no order/direction of any court prohibiting use of any such premise/ground.
  • The political parties/candidates/campaigners shall ensure that the MCC is not violated.
  • The political party or candidate who has been allowed to use the school grounds will have to ensure that no damage is done to the to the ground. If there is any damage then they must pay appropriate compensation to the school authorities.

Private property can also be used for campaigning for political meetings but they will have to take permission from the owners.

If a person does not take permission from the owner of the property (public or private), it would be a crime where the person will be punished with jail time up to 3 months and/or a fine.

  1. Chapter 12, Manual on Model Code of Conduct, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct/ [↩]

New/Reissue/Updation of Passport

The procedure for a new Passport, updating a Passport and re-issuing a Passport in case you have lost or damaged it, is the same in India. With respect to Passport, reissue refers to renewal of a passport. These can be done either online or in-person – both the procedures are described below.

Please note that you can cancel/reschedule your Passport appointment only two times in a given year, and once that is over, you must restart the process after one year.1 For example, if you have booked an appointment for 16th January, 2020, and you change it to 20th January, 2020, you only have one opportunity left to change/cancel your Passport appointment.

Online Procedure

You have two modes of application i.e. via online form submission2 or via online e-form submission.3 These are discussed in detail below:

Step 1 – For online form submission, you should register on Passport Seva Portal, and then log in to the Passport Seva Portal, where you will be able to download the e-Form for fresh/reissue of Passport. For e-form submission, you should register on Passport Seva Portal and then log in to the Passport Seva Portal, where you should click on “Apply for Fresh Passport or “Reissue of Passport”.

Step 2 – For online form submission, you should download the form, and fill it, and click it “validate and save”. This will generate an XML file, which you must upload through “upload e-form”.  For e-form submission, you should fill in the form and submit it.

Step 3 – You should click on “Pay and Schedule Appointment”, which will enable you to schedule an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at a branch of your preference.

Step 4 – You should make the online payment.  The fee payable also varies on the basis of what kind of Passport you are applying for, if it is a new Passport or a re-issue, etc.

Step 5 – You should take a print-out of the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN) or Appointment Number, and visit the PSK where you have booked your appointment,  along with original documents. You can also check this list to find out the Passport Seva Kendras in India.

Step 6 – You should get your documents verified in the PSK. The documents required vary on the basis of whether the applicant is a major person, minor person or senior citizen, if the applicant is eligible for Non-ECR category, reason for reissue, etc. You will generally require to provide proof of birth, proof of residence, and proof for Non-ECR category, if applicable. See here for a consolidated list of documents that you will require.

Step 7 – You should get your finger impressions taken, and get your photograph clicked.

Step 8 –  You should get police verification done, where the police from your local police station will come and verify your address.

Step 9 – You can track your application status through the online account you have made on the portal.

Step 10 – Your Passport will be delivered to you. The time taken for you to get your Passport also depends on many factors, such as need for police verification, time taken for verification of documents, etc.

Procedure for Applying In-Person3

To apply for a new Passport/reissue of Passport in person, follow the steps given below:

Step 1 – You should download the application form for new/reissue of Passport from Passport Seva Portal on an A4 size paper, or purchase the form from the local District Passport Cell (DPC) for a nominal fee. See here to find a DPC.

Step 2 –  You should fill the form, and submit it with the required documents to the DPC.

Step 3 – You should get your application and documents verified by the officials at DCP. See Step 3 of online procedure for details.

Step 4 –  You should pay the prescribed fee in the form of a demand draft. Please ensure you write your name, date of birth, and the date of submission of form behind the DD. See above for details.

Step 5 –  You should get your finger impressions taken, and get your photograph clicked.

Step 6 – Thereafter, you should collect the Acknowledgment Letter which contains a File Number, which you can use for tracking the application status.

Step 7 – You should get police verification done, where the police from your local police station will come and verify your address.

Step 8 – Your Passport will be delivered to you. The time taken for you to get your Passport also depends on many factors, such as need for police verification, time taken for verification of documents, etc.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

  1. Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva, FAQs, Fee Payment, https://portal1.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/faqFeePayment [↩]
  2. Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva, e-Form Submission, https://portal1.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/pccOnlineEForm [↩]
  3. IndiaGov, Passport Seva Portal, https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/passport-seva-portal-convenient-way-get-passport#tab=tab-2 [↩] [↩]

Conduct of Candidate While Campaigning

There is a certain conduct that candidates must follow while campaigning. All political parties and candidates should avoid activities that affect the voters and other candidates such as1:

Actions against Voters

  • Bribes: Bribing voters to vote for or not vote for a candidate or party. For example: Giving a voter a television to vote for a candidate.
  • Threats: Threatening voters that there will be consequences for not voting for a certain party/candidate.
  • Inducing Voters: Trying to make anyone believe that they will be subject to any godly punishment if they do not follow the instructions of the candidate.
  • Impersonation of Voters: Impersonation of voters to cast illegal votes.

Actions against Candidates

  • Threats to Other Candidates: Threatening any other candidate or voter with injury or any kind of social ostracism, ex-communication or expulsion from any caste or community.
  • Personal Attacks: While criticising other candidates and political parties, candidates must restrict their comments to policies, programmes, past records and works of other parties and candidates. They should not criticise or comment on the private lives of other candidates, political parties or their workers. Criticism based on unverified reports should also be avoided at all costs.
  1. Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct [↩]

Passport

A Passport is an official document issued by the government that allows you to travel1 internationally, and serves as a proof of identification.1 The Ministry of External Affairs issues Passports through the Central Passport Organisation (CPO) and you will be able to apply for a passport by approaching Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) in India.

There are three kinds of Passports: ordinary, official and diplomatic.2 In this section, only ordinary Passports will be covered, for which only Indian nationals are eligible. Please note that you can hold only one Passport at a time.3

Please note that a Passport will be valid for a period of 10 years,4. India-Bangladesh Passports which were valid for 3 years have been discontinued in 2013.5

 

Precautions to take for a Passport:6 

  • You must not send a Passport out of any country by post.
  • You should not let anyone who is not authorized to use the Passport possess it.
  • You are personally responsible for its safety, so if it is damaged or lost, you must immediately report it to the nearest Passport authority, or the nearest Indian Mission or Post and to the local police, if you are abroad.
  • You must not alter your Passport in any way, without authorization of the relevant official(s).
  • If your children’s particulars are included in your Passport, they must not travel alone.
  • A child, whose particulars are included in his guardian’s Passport, must apply for a separate one on turning 15 years of age.

If you violate these provisions, you can be punished with jail time between  3 months and 2 years and/or a fine between Rs. 500 and Rs. 5,000, on the first offence, and with double the penalty on subsequent  offence.7 For example, if you allow someone to use your passport, the first you will be jailed for 2 years and/or fined Rs. 5,000, and if you do it again, you will be jailed for 4 years and/or be fined Rs. 10,000.

Penalties in Relation to a Passport 

If you do any of the following, you can be punished with jail time between 1 and 5 years and a fine between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 50,0008:

  • You travel internationally without  a valid Passport or travel documents
  • You provide false information and do not disclose information, in order to get a Passport
  • You do not provide your Passport for inspection to relevant authorities (i.e. any Passport authority, any police officer above and equal to the rank of Sub-Inspector, and any officer empowered by the Central Government in relation to this)
  • You use a Passport or travel documents that belongs to another person
  • You allow another person to use your Passport or travel documents
  • You aid or help anyone in doing the points given above.

Please read here for surrender of Passport, and here for revocation and impounding of Passport.

You can get a new Passport or get it reissued and updated. There is also a facility for a Tatkal Passport. If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more.

  1. Section 3, Passports Act, 1967. [↩] [↩]
  2. Section 4(1), Passports Act, 1967. [↩]
  3. Rule 13, Passports Rules, 1980. [↩]
  4. Rule 12(1A), Passports Rules, 1980. [↩]
  5. Rule 12(2), Passports Rules, 1980. [↩]
  6. Schedule V (Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), Passports Rules, 1980. [↩]
  7. Section 12, Passports Act, 1967. [↩]
  8. Section 12(1), Passports Act, 1967. [↩]

How do you Report and Complain during Elections?

There are options of reporting and complaining during elections. If you have any complaints due to lack of action etc. by authorities, there are many ways to contact the election authorities:

Going to the Officer

You can send a letter to the Electoral Regional Officer, Chief Election Officer or the District Election Officer and file a complaint. You can find out where the offices are here.

Online Websites

The National Grievances Service by the Election Commission is a website where you can file all complaints, suggestions or give information.

Email

If you are an Indian Citizen, then you can send an email to complaints@eci.gov.in and if you are an overseas elector then you can send an email to overseas.elector@eci.gov.in. You can send an email regarding any suggestions or complaints and request any information.

Mobile Applications

If you are an Android Smartphone user, then go to the play store and download the Voter Helpline App. You can lodge your complaint by using the mobile app. To understand more about the application look the C-Vigil Manual.

By Post

You can send a letter to the Electoral Regional Officer, Chief Election Officer or the District Election Officer and file a complaint. You can find out where the offices are here.

Ban on Use of Official Vehicles during Campaigning

The use of any official vehicles for campaigning or election-related travel from the date of announcement of elections till the completion of elections is not allowed.1

But, if a political leader is under threat of extremist and terrorist activities and requires security, they can request the Election Commission for the use of an official vehicle.

What are Official Vehicles?

Official vehicles are those vehicles that belong to the following2:

  • Central/State government,
  • Public Undertakings/Joint Sector Undertakings of central and state governments,
  • Local bodies, Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, Cooperative Societies, Marketing boards,
  • Autonomous district councils in which public funds are invested,
  • Ministry of Defence and other Ministers.

The different kinds of official vehicles are helicopters, aircraft, cars, jeeps, automobiles, boats, hovercrafts, trucks, lorries, tempos, cycle-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, buses, etc.

  1. Section 123(5) and Section 160, Representation of the People Act, 1951. [↩]
  2. FAQs, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/. [↩]

Tatkal Passport

Tatkal Passport is a scheme available citizens who need their Passports urgently. In this scheme, the Passport is dispatched within 1 working day excluding the date of submission of application if police verification is not required, and in 3 working days, if it is required.

To apply for a Tatkal Passport, follow the procedure given for obtaining a  new Passport, and check “Tatkal” in “Type of Application” while filling out the application form.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Check out this Government FAQ to know more

What is the Voter Helpline Number?

The National, State and District Contact Centre Toll-Free number is 1950 and is operational between 8 am to 8 pm, both in Hindi and English. An agent will ask you for information regarding your name, mobile number and email ID and then you can ask for help regarding any issue. You can :

  • Ask for any information that you require about voting or voter ID card
  • File a complaint over the phone which they will register and they will give you the complaint ID Number over the phone which you can note down. You can use this number to follow up your complaint.
  • Ask for any suggestions or feedback regarding any issue that you face or know of.

You can even contact the Chief Electoral Officer of your area to get more information or help to navigate through the processes. The number for the CEO at Delhi is 1800111400. There is also a Voter Helpline App you can use. Read more about it here.

Procedure for New PAN Number

You can apply for a PAN Number either online or in person.

Applying for a PAN Number (Online)

The process is as follows:

Step 1: You may visit the Income Tax Department (ITD) website here to find out whether you already have a PAN Number or not.

Step 2: An applicant can make an online application for a PAN Number through the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) website.

Step 3: For submitting applications for new PAN Number, Indian citizens including those living outside India have to select Form 49A1 on the NSDL website here. Download the form here. Read detailed instructions for filling Form 49A here. A token number will be generated and sent to your email address, that you can use to save the entered details, and edit later.

Step 4: The applicant should ensure that the necessary supporting documents are submitted along with the application. It is necessary to submit one Proof of Identity (PoI) bearing the name of the applicant, one Proof of Address (PoA), and Proof of date of birth.2 Please note that it is mandatory to quote Aadhaar/Aadhaar Enrolment ID for making an application for PAN Number.3 View the consolidated list of documents here. The Name mentioned in the Application Form and the Name in the PoI/PoA should match exactly.

If the applicant is a minor (i.e. below 18 years of age at the time of application), any of the documents of any of the parents/ guardian of such minor shall be deemed to be the proof of identity and address of the applicant.

Step 5: The applicant can fill in the online application for a PAN Number by:

  1. i) Submission of physical form and documents after online data entry
  2. ii) Aadhaar based e-KYC

iii) Scanned based – Aadhaar based e-Sign

  1. iv) Scanned based – Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

For more information, read here.

Step 6: The processing fee charges for applying for PAN Number vary depending on whether or not you require a physical PAN Card. Find your applicable fee details here.4 Payment of online application fee can be made through credit/debit card, or net-banking. You can check the status of your financial transaction for online application here.

Step 7: On successful payment, an acknowledgement slip will be generated, which you will also receive via email. You are required to save and print it in order to send it to the NSDL. You can regenerate your acknowledgement receipt here (application after July 16, 2016), or here (application on or before July 15, 2016).

Step 8: In your online application for PAN Number, you can choose a Physical mode of submission where you send physical documents to the NSDL address. For Paperless modes of application such as e-KYC, e-Sign based or DSC based application, there is no need to send physical documents to NSDL. For more information, read here.

Step 9: Applicants may track the status of their PAN Number application using the unique Acknowledgement Number here. Alternatively, you may send an SMS – NSDLPAN <space> 15-digit Acknowledgement number to 57575.

Step 10: A new PAN Number is allotted by the ITD and a printed PAN Card along with an allotment letter is dispatched by the NSDL, to the applicant. Normally, around 2 weeks are required to complete the process. You can also download your e-PAN Card here.

You can also apply for a PAN Number if you are a corporate applicant like a company, or a foreign citizen.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Applying for a PAN Number (in Person)

Step 1: Submit a physical application for a PAN Number to any TIN Facilitation Centre (TIN-FC) or PAN Centre of NSDL. Locate TIN-FCs cum PAN Centres near you here. You can also locate the nearest exclusive PAN Centre here.

Step 2: Fill in Form 49A, which can be downloaded here. Ensure that the necessary supporting documents are submitted along with the application for PAN Number. Refer to Step 4 given above in the Online application section for further details.

Step 3: Your fee details5 vary depending on whether you require a physical PAN Card.

If a physical PAN Card is required to be dispatched to an Indian address, your fees (inclusive of applicable taxes) is Rs. 107. If a physical PAN Card is required to be dispatched to an foreign address, your fees (inclusive of applicable taxes) is Rs. 1,017.

The fees (inclusive of applicable taxes) for an e-PAN Card which is dispatched to your email ID is Rs. 72.

Step 4: Collect your acknowledgement slip.

Step 5: Track the status of your PAN Number application using the unique Acknowledgement Number here. Refer to Step 9 given above in the Online application section for further details.

Step 6: A printed PAN Card along with an allotment letter is dispatched by the NSDL, to the applicant. Normally, around 2 weeks are required to complete the process.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this Government resource for more information on this

  1. Rule 114(1), Income-tax Rules, 1962. [↩]
  2. Rule 114(4), Income-tax Rules, 1962. [↩]
  3. Section 139AA, Income-tax Act, 1961 inserted by the Finance Act, 2017. [↩]
  4. Tax Information Network of Income Tax Department, PAN, https://www.tin-nsdl.com/services/pan/form49A.html [↩]
  5. Tax Information Network of Income Tax Department, PAN, FAQ’s, https://www.tin-nsdl.com/faqs/pan/faq-pan-procedure.html [↩]

PAN Card

A PAN card represents your Permanent Account Number (PAN) which is a 10-digit alphanumeric identifier, issued by the Income Tax Department. Each assessee (e.g. individual, firm, company, etc.) is issued a unique PAN Number. No person who has already been allotted a PAN Number shall apply, obtain or possess another PAN Number.1

Initially, you will have to apply for a PAN Number. When your PAN Number is ready, you will be given a PAN Card with the details of your PAN Number on the card. A PAN Card is accepted as a valid proof of identity anywhere in the country. It can also be used as proof of identity when making an application for a passport, voter ID card, driving licence, electricity connection etc.

You can also download an e-PAN, which is a digitally signed PAN Card issued in electronic format by the Income Tax Department using Aadhaar e-KYC.

PAN Number is a permanent number and once you get a new PAN number, it does not require renewal. However, the details on your PAN Card can be updated.

Hence, you may make an application for:

  • A new PAN Card when you already have a PAN Number
  • Changes or corrections in your existing PAN Card details. In this case, the new PAN Card issued to you will bear the same PAN Number but with updated information.

You2 have the option of applying for a PAN Number as it is useful while filing taxes, setting up a bank account, etc. However, applying for a PAN Number is not always optional. It is mandatory for all existing assessees or taxpayers or persons who are required to file income returns, even on behalf of others, to have a PAN Number. It is compulsory to quote your PAN Number on return of income tax.

Further, if you intend to enter into economic or financial transactions where quoting PAN Number is mandatory, then you must have a PAN Number. These include:3

  • Payment in cash to a hotel or restaurant against a bill/bills at any one time exceeding fifty thousand rupees.
  • Payment in cash in connection with travel to any foreign country or payment for purchase of any foreign currency at any one time exceeding fifty thousand rupees.
  • Sale or purchase of any immovable property exceeding ten lakh rupees.
  • Sale or purchase of goods or services of any nature exceeding two lakh rupees per transaction.

If you are mandatorily required to apply for a PAN Number and you fail to do so, the Assessing Officer may direct you to pay a penalty of Rs. 10,000.4

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more.

  1. Section 139A(7), Income-tax Act, 1961. [↩]
  2. Section 139A(3), Income-tax Act, 1961 [↩]
  3. Rule 114B, Income-tax Rules, 1962. [↩]
  4. Section 272B, Income-tax Act, 1961 [↩]

Applying for New PAN Card

You may make an application for a new PAN Card when you already have a PAN Number.

Step 1: For an applicant who has already obtained a PAN Number and wishes to obtain a new PAN Card, download the form here. The form is also available at any TIN-FC or PAN Centre of National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL). The same form is applicable for both Indian citizens as well as non-citizens. Select appropriate check boxes in front of the relevant field (i.e., name, father’s name, date of birth) to update details.

Step 2: You will have to submit the form and the supporting documents at any such centre, with the required fee. The documents to be submitted along with the application are:

The consolidated list of documents and the applicable charges can be found here.

Step 3: The application request is forwarded to the ITD and a new PAN Card is printed and dispatched to the applicant.

For a new PAN Card, you can also apply online for Reprint of PAN Card (only when there is no updation required in data) by clicking here. This facility is only available for those PAN Number holders whose latest PAN Number application was processed through NSDL e-Gov and/or e-Filing portal of Income Tax Department. There is no requirement of submitting any application form along with supporting documents for processing the PAN Card Reprint request. To know more, read the guidelines here.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more.

Updating PAN Card

You may make an application for updating changes/corrections in existing PAN Card details. When you apply for updating of details, you will receive a newly issued PAN Card which will bear the same PAN Number but with updated information.

The process for applying for a change/correction of PAN Card data is more or less the same as the application process for allotment of new PAN Number.

Step 1: For an applicant who has already obtained a PAN Number and wishes to obtain a new PAN Card or make changes/corrections in the existing PAN data, download the form here. The form is also available at any TIN-FC or PAN Centre of NSDL. The same form is applicable for both Indian citizens as well as non-citizens. Select appropriate check boxes in front of the relevant field (i.e., name, father’s name, date of birth) to update details.

Step 2: You will have to submit the form and the supporting documents at any such centre, with the required fee. The documents to be submitted along with the application are:

  • Proof of Identity, Address and Date of Birth
  • Proof of PAN Number (copy of existing PAN Card, or PAN allotment letter)
  • Proof for Change Requested to support change in PAN Card data

The consolidated list of documents and the applicable charges can be found here.

Step 3: The application request is forwarded to the ITD(Income Tax Department) for update of the database and upon confirmation, a new PAN Card is printed and dispatched to the applicant.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

Ration Card

Ration card is an official document issued to households that are eligible to purchase essential commodities, such as food grain, at  subsidized prices from the Public Distribution System, and also serves as a proof of identification.

Ration cards are issued by the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs of state governments, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and the eldest woman of the house, above the age of 18, is the head of the household for the purposes of issue of Ration Cards.1 As the issue of Ration Cards is governed by the state, there may be variations in the procedure, documents required, etc. depending on which state you live in.

There are two primary types of Ration Cards:

  • Priority Ration Card – Priority Ration Cards are issued to households that meet the eligibility criteria set by their state government. Each priority household is entitled to 5 kilograms of food grain per member.2 Antyodaya (AAY) Ration Cards – AAY Ration Cards are issued to “poorest of poor” households.3 Each AAY household is entitled to 35 kilograms of food grain.2

 

Source: Karnataka.com. For representational purposes only.

Electronic Ration Card

The governments of some states, like Delhi, have launched an e-Ration service, which are just as valid as physical Ration Cards. This service will enable you to obtain Ration Cards, and check the costs and food grain availability online. For example, for Delhi, you can download your e-Ration Card here.

You can get a new Ration Card, get it updated or get a duplicate. If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more.

  1. Section 13(1), National Food Security Act, 2013. [↩]
  2. Section 3(1), National Food Security Act, 2013. [↩] [↩]
  3. Press Information Bureau, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, https://pib.gov.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=95141 [↩]

Updating Ration Card

When you update your Ration Card, you get a new card with the details changed, as indicated by you. Please read below for information on the details that can be updated, and the procedure for updation.

You can update the following details:

  • The number of family members covered
  • Your personal details, like the name, etc.
  • The details of the head of the household.
  • Change in address
  • Your photograph and biometric details
  • Any other details of the family members covered in the Ration Card1

To update your Ration Card, follow the steps given below:

Step 1 –You should go to the Circle Office, and tell them what you need to update, on the basis of which, you will be provided with the relevant application form.

Step 2 – You should fill out the application form.

Step 3 – You should submit the relevant documents. The documents required vary from state to state, and also with respect to the details you need to update. For example, if you need to add a family member to be covered under the Card, you must provide his/her birth certificate.

Step 4 – You should get your documents verified.

Step 5 –  You should collect your acknowledgement slip.

Step 6 – You can then collect your Ration Card/get it delivered. Some states have the facility to download it online. For example, in Delhi, you must download it online.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource to know more

  1. Process flow for existing Ration Card modifications, https://ahara.kar.nic.in/status2/docs/Direction_RC_english%20pdf.pdf [↩]

Applying for New Ration Card

You may require a Ration Card for purposes like getting ID proof, purchasing grains at subsidized prices, etc. To get a new Ration Card, please follow the steps given below. Both the online procedure and the procedure for applying physically is given.

Procedure for Applying In-Person

Follow the steps given below to get a new Ration Card1:

Step 1 – You should fill out the application form, which you can obtain from any Circle Office, or download it from your state government’s website. You can access the portals to the relevant website for all the states here.

Step 2 – You should submit the relevant documents. Though the documents required vary across states, you will commonly be required to submit the following:

  • Proof of identification
  • Passport-sized photographs of the female head of your family attested by a gazetted officer/MLA/MP/Municipal Councillor
  • The specified proof of residence (If you cannot provide proof of residence, the office will conduct record the statements of two witnesses in your neighbourhood)
  • Income certificate, if applicable
  • The Surrender/Deletion Certificate of the previous Ration Card, if any
  • The prescribed fee. This varies across states.

Step 3 – You should get your documents verified by the officers at the Circle Office.

Step 4 – You should collect your acknowledgement receipt from the authorities.

Step 5 – You can then collect your Ration Card from the Circle Office/get it delivered.  For example, in Delhi, the Ration Card is uploaded online. The time limit varies across states. For example, in Delhi, it can take up to 2 months.

Online Procedure

You can also apply for a Ration Card online, depending on whether your state has that facility available. You can also check the status of your Ration Card in some states here.

Once you have your Ration card, you can also download it online through your state government’s website. For example, for Delhi, you should go to the website, and fill in the relevant details, such as Ration Card number, Aadhar number, etc., and you will be able to download your Card online.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource for more information.

  1. IndiaGov Archive, Apply for Ration Card, https://archive.india.gov.in/howdo/howdoi.php?service=7 [↩]