VERY USEFUL BOOKLET ON PERMANENT ACCOUNT NUMBER ISSUED BY INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT
https://chdcaprofessionals.blogspot.in/2013/05/permanentaccountnumber.html
What is PAN?
Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the Income Tax Department, to any "person" who applies for it or to whom the department allots the number without an application.