PAN no. is permanent account number. It is ten digits and alphabetic no.
It is just like a card which is issued by income tax department of Indian government.
Actually PAN is return of income. From 1 January 2005 government of Indian enforced that PAN on challans for any payments. It is compulsory for PAN in all documents for financial transactions notified from time-to-time by the central board of direct tax.
All existing assesses or taxpayers, or persons who required to furnish a return of income,
Any person or who intends to enter into financial transaction where PAN is mandatory must obtain PAN. The income tax department has authorized UTI investor services ltd for managing IT  PAN service centers in all cities or towns where there is and income tax office and NSDL(national securities depository limited).PAN application can made only on Form no. 49A.and also it can be downloaded by website of income tax department or UTIISL or NSDL.

Income tax

An income tax is a financial charge. This is taken by government. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities .taxes consist of direct tax or indirect tax, and may be paid in money or as its labour equivalent (often but not always unpaid). A tax may be defined as a “pecuniary burden laid upon individuals or property to support the government a payment exacted by legislative authority.”

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