pan-validator

Module format

This package supports both ESM and CommonJS. Use import or require() depending on your project.

Validate and parse Indian PAN (Permanent Account Number) card numbers - zero dependencies.

Install

npm install pan-card-validator

Usage

import { isValidPan, parsePan } from 'pan-card-validator';

isValidPan('AAAPL1234C'); // true
isValidPan('not-a-pan');  // false

parsePan('AAAPL1234C');
// {
//   valid: true,
//   pan: 'AAAPL1234C',
//   entityTypeCode: 'P',
//   entityType: 'Individual',
//   holderInitial: 'L',
//   sequenceNumber: '1234',
//   checkDigit: 'C',
// }

parsePan('not-a-pan'); // { valid: false }

Cross-checking the holder's name

A PAN's 5th character is the first letter of the holder's surname (for individuals) or entity name (for others). If you have the name on hand, pass it to catch a mismatched PAN:

isValidPan('AAAPL1234C', { holderName: 'Lakshmi' }); // true - starts with 'L'
isValidPan('AAAPL1234C', { holderName: 'Kumar' });   // false - starts with 'K', not 'L'

What this validates - and what it can't

A PAN is AAAAA9999A:

Position	Meaning
1-3	Alphabetic series (no independent meaning)
4	Holder category: A AOP, B BOI, C Company, F Firm/LLP, G Government, H HUF, J Artificial Juridical Person, L Local Authority, P Individual, T Trust
5	First letter of surname (individuals) or entity name (others)
6-9	Sequence number
10	Check character

This library validates the structure and the holder-category code (position 4), and can optionally cross-check position 5 against a supplied name.

It cannot verify the 10th check character. Unlike GSTIN or Aadhaar, the PAN check-digit algorithm is not publicly documented by the Income Tax Department - only their own systems (or the official verification API) can confirm a PAN is genuinely issued. This library only tells you a PAN is well-formed, not that it exists.

License

MIT

Limitations

Validation is structural only. It cannot confirm that a PAN was issued or belongs to a person; use an authorized government verification channel for that.