Invalid PAN, Aadhaar cards: How to check if it's deactivated? How to reverify?

The government's decision to link Aadhar with popular schemes, income tax filing, bank accounts has made it the most crucial piece of document for any individual. Aadhar's importance has grown alongside the government's ongoing crackdown on black money. The tax net in the country has widened and the government has reined in people possessing multiple Aadhaar and PAN cards. In fact, the government has recently deactivated close to 81 lakh Aadhaar cards and 11 lakh PAN numbers. The move was clearly aimed at unscrupulous people's effort to exploit the government policies by using multiple cards. The government agencies recently identified and deactivated 11,44,211 PAN numbers as in most cases multiple PANs were allotted to one person.

The UIDAI deactivated close to 81 lakh Aadhaar numbers.  The deactivation (suspension) of Aadhaar numbers was done as per the Aadhaar Life Cycle Management (ALCM) guideline.

Ever since the Modi government took over, it has taken several measures to streamline the financial system by removing fake identities. It involves multiple PAN cards and Aadhaar numbers. An Aadhaar number is 12-digit biometrics based identity number issued by the UIDAI.

Earlier this year, the government made Aadhaar number mandatory to file Income Tax Returns and for applying PAN number. The government has also asked people to link their Aadhaar card with PAN numbers for which the last day is August 31. But before you go for linking the Aadhaar number with PAN number, you need to check the status of your Aadhaar and PAN to know if they are still active. Here's how you can do that.

Step-wise guide to check Aadhaar status:

•     Visit Unique Identification Authority of India's official website, uidai.gov.in.
•     Go to the 'Verify Aadhaar Number ' link on the website. The link is visible on the right side of the homepage.
•     Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number in the relevant box to verify if your Aadhaar number is valid or not.
•     In the second field, called 'Enter Security Code', fill in the code as displayed in the image and click 'Verify'.
•     If your number is valid, the a page will be shown, which will display a message confirming the status of the Aadhaar number entered. However, in case of invalid Aadhaar number, the page says that the number does not exist.

Those who find their Aadhaar is inactive on checking the status, can visit the closest Aadhaar enrolment centre. Since sometimes the servers are down, it would be a good idea to call the enrolment centres before visiting. Those seeking to validate or make changes in their Aadhaar card should carry with them relevant documents. Electricity, landline telephone bill can used as address proof; also carry PAN Card or Voter ID. At the enrolment centre, you can fill up the Aadhaar update form. Your Aadhaar card will be validated after bio-metrics are re-verified. The card will not be updated if your biometrics don't match with the previous recorord. You have to pay a nominal charge of Rs 25 for the update.

Step-wise guide to check PAN number status:

• Visit Income Tax Department's e-filing website - incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.
• Click on the 'Know Your PAN' option on the left side panel.
• On the next page, fill up your details such as name, status (individual, Hindu Undivided Family etc.), date of birth and phone number.
• After entering the details on the Income Tax E-Filing website and click the 'Submit' button.
• On the next page, enter the OTP password received on your registered mobile number and hit 'Validate'.
• If the PAN number is not duplicated it will indicate 'Active' under the 'Remarks' column.