The government on Tuesday said that PAN 2.0 Project aims to streamline and modernize the process of issuing and managing PAN and TAN, making it more user-friendly and efficient. With existing PAN database of 78 crore PANs and 73.28 lakh TANs, the project addresses the requirements of taxpayers, focusing on consolidation of multiple platforms/portals and efficient services to PAN/ TAN holders. Currently, PAN-related services are spread across three different platforms: the eFiling Portal, UTIITSL Portal, and Protean e-Gov Portal. With the implementation of PAN 2.0, all these services will be integrated into a single, unified portal. This one-stop platform will handle comprehensively issues/matters related to PAN and TAN, including application, updates, corrections, Aadhaar-PAN linking, re-issuance requests, and even online PAN validation. By doing so, the Income Tax Department endeavours to simplify processes, eliminate delays, and improve grievance redressal mechanisms. The PAN 2.0 Project is also a significant step toward aligning with the Digital India initiative. It focuses on eco-friendly, paperless processes while establishing PAN as a common identifier for all digital systems of specified Government agencies. Among key features of PAN 2.0 are a single portal for all PAN/TAN-related services to simplify access for users; eco-friendly paperless less processes to reduce paperwork; PAN will be issued free of cost, with quicker processing times; personal and demographic data will be protected through enhanced security measures, including a PAN Data Vault; and a dedicated call center and helpdesk to address user queries and issues.