The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is not just a 10-digit alphanumeric identity – it’s India’s foundational link between individuals, businesses, and the tax system. As of 31st March 2025, more than 80 crore PANs have been issued in India.
But who exactly holds them? How does it break down by age, gender, and entity type? Here is the latest PAN statistics released by the Income Tax Department to uncover demographic and economic insights from this vast database
PAN Allotment by Taxpayer Type
| Taxpayer Status | PANs Allotted | Share (%) |
| Individuals | 78.44 Cr | 97.97% |
| Firms | 65.58 lakh | 0.82% |
| Companies | 27.39 lakh | 0.35% |
| Associations of Persons | 27.35 lakh | 0.35% |
| Hindu Undivided Families | 25.15 lakh | 0.32% |
| Trusts | 13.19 lakh | 0.17% |
| Artificial Juridical Persons | 44,626 | 0.01% |
| Government Entities | 88,293 | 0.02% |
| Local Authorities | 1.45 lakh | 0.02% |
| Body of Individuals | 1.84 lakh | 0.03% |
| Total | 80.08 Cr | 100% |
Key Insight:
More than 97% of PAN holders are individuals, but the presence of over 1.5 crore PANs among entities like companies, firms, trusts, and HUFs shows the wide adoption of formal tax identification in India’s economic fabric.
Demographics of PAN Holders: Age and Gender The gender and age-wise distribution paints a vivid picture of digital and financial inclusion in India.
By Gender
| Gender | PAN Holders | Share (%) |
| Male | 44.47 Cr | 56.7% |
| Female | 33.97 Cr | 43.31% |
| Transgender | 21,189 | 0.01% |
Insight:
The male-to-female PAN ownership ratio (56.7:43.3) suggests a narrowing gender gap in tax identity, but more progress is needed. The inclusion of 21,000+ transgender PAN holders is a small yet important sign of institutional recognition.
By Age (All Genders Combined)
| Age Group | Total PANs Allotted | Percentage |
| 0–18 years | 1,98,11,386 | 2.53% |
| 19–20 years | 2,57,95,940 | 3.29% |
| 21–30 years | 18,39,28,027 | 23.44% |
| 31–40 years | 18,89,05,002 | 24.09% |
| 41–50 years | 14,56,53,827 | 18.57% |
| 51–60 years | 10,55,74,771 | 13.46% |
| 61–70 years | 6,48,08,342 | 8.26% |
| 71–80 years | 3,62,95,200 | 4.62% |
| 80+ years | 1,35,76,197 | 1.73% |
| Total | 78,44,49,692 | 100.00% |
Data Source: Income Tax Department | Table: Indiagraphs.com
Here’s a clear breakdown of how PAN cards are distributed across different age groups, split by gender. This helps us understand who is actively entering the formal financial system in India.
Data Source: Income Tax Department | Graphic: Indiagraphs.com
Note: Transgender data not shown due to minimal share (0.01%).
Insight:
India’s financial system is onboarding its youth at scale, with over 18 crore PAN holders in the 20–30 age group. Yet, it is the 30–50 segment that holds the lion’s share of PAN cards, marking their peak earning and tax-paying years. Interestingly, the presence of nearly 2 crore PANs issued to individuals under 18 reflects early financial onboarding – driven by education-linked investments, digital identity norms, and minor bank accounts.
Key Terms Explained
1. Artificial Juridical Person
- These are non-human legal entities recognized by law as having rights and duties.
- Includes entities like deities (in temple trusts), universities, or statutory bodies.
- PANs allotted to them enable taxation or asset tracking in their name.
- Only 44,626 PANs fall under this – a tiny, niche category but legally significant.
2. Association of Persons (AOP)
- A group of individuals who come together for a common purpose but not as a firm or company.
- Common in cases of joint ventures, housing societies, or informal groups earning joint income.
3. Body of Individuals (BOI)
- Similar to AOP but often used for families or co-heirs receiving income together (e.g., property rent).
4. Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
- A unique Indian entity where a joint family (descendants of a common ancestor) is taxed as a single unit.
- Popular among families managing ancestral property or family-run businesses.
Aadhar Linkage
Out of 80.08 crore PANs issued, over 66.37 crore PANs are now linked with Aadhaar, showing massive compliance with government mandates and smoother integration for identity verification
What This Tells Us About India’s Financial Identity Landscape
- Nearly 80 crore PANs = India’s move toward formal economy and financial accountability.
- 56:43 gender ratio = Gender inclusion efforts are working, but urban-rural divide may persist.
- PANs for minors (2 crore) = Early push for digital identity, possibly under tax planning or bank KYC needs.
- Ageing but engaged = Over 5 crore PAN holders are 60+, a sign of post-retirement financial activity (like pensions, mutual funds, etc.).
Final Thoughts
This is more than just a number – this is a mirror to India’s economic, legal, and social evolution. With each PAN, a citizen or entity steps into the formal financial system. The trends reflect growing financial awareness, expanding digital reach, and a maturing tax ecosystem.
As the government pushes for more digital compliance, better tax coverage, and fewer frauds, this massive PAN dataset becomes a bedrock for India’s tax-to-GDP future.
Source:
Income Tax Department, Government of India
Official Statistics Page
PAN Allotment Report PDF (Up to 31 March 2025)
Accessed on: 19 July 2025
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