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PAN Card (Permanent Account Number)

Income Tax PAN card apply online, Instant free e-PAN, Section 139AA Aadhaar linking & reprint

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📝 Reviewed by: India Docs Portal Editorial Team📅 Last updated: August 28, 2026Sources: Official .gov.in portals

Quick Answer

💡 A PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act 1961. It is mandatory for filing income tax returns, salary TDS deductions (Form 16), opening bank accounts, and high-value transactions. Citizens can generate a free Instant e-PAN in 10 minutes on incometax.gov.in using Aadhaar authentication or order a physical card reprint for ₹50.

Quick Information

⏱️ Processing Time

Instant (10 minutes for digital e-PAN) | 10–15 days for physical laminated card via Speed Post

💵 Fees

Instant e-PAN: 100% Free | Physical PAN Card: ₹50 for reprint / ₹107 for fresh physical application (Indian address)

✅ Eligibility

All Indian citizens (including minors through guardian), NRIs, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), firms, and companies

Who Needs This Document?

Every individual taxpayer, business entity, salaried professional (for Form 16 / TDS), bank account holder, and anyone conducting transactions over ₹50,000

Required Documents

  • Proof of Identity (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence)
  • Proof of Address (Aadhaar Card, Electricity Bill, Bank Account Statement, or Rent Agreement)
  • Proof of Date of Birth (Birth Certificate, Class 10 Marksheet, or Aadhaar Card)
  • Two passport-size color photographs (not required if applying via Aadhaar e-KYC paperless route)

How to Apply for PAN Card (Permanent Account Number)

1

For Instant Free e-PAN (Paperless)

Visit incometax.gov.in, select 'Instant e-PAN', click 'Get New e-PAN', enter your Aadhaar number, authenticate via OTP, and download your digitally signed e-PAN PDF within 10 minutes.

2

For Physical PAN Card via Protean / UTIITSL

Visit onlineservices.nsdl.com (Protean) or pan.utiitsl.com, select 'Form 49A (Indian Citizen)', and choose 'Paperless via Aadhaar e-KYC'.

3

Fill Personal & Parent Details

Provide your full legal name, date of birth, father's/mother's name, and contact details.

4

Pay Processing Fee Online

Pay ₹107 for new physical card delivery (or ₹50 for a physical reprint if you already have an e-PAN) via UPI, Debit Card, or Net Banking.

5

Track & Receive Physical Card

Track the 15-digit acknowledgment number online. The physical PVC smart card will be dispatched via India Post Speed Post.

📝 How to Update PAN Card (Permanent Account Number)

Update your name spelling, date of birth, photo, or signature on your PAN card:

1

Visit Protean NSDL or UTIITSL

Go to onlineservices.nsdl.com and choose 'Application Type > Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data'.

2

Fill Existing 10-Digit PAN

Enter your existing PAN and mark checkboxes against the fields you want to modify.

3

Upload Proofs & Pay ₹107 Fee

Upload Aadhaar/Marksheet as proof and pay the statutory fee.

4

Receive Updated Card

Receive the amended e-PAN by email and the updated physical card via Speed Post.

⬇️ How to Download PAN Card (Permanent Account Number)

Download an official digital e-PAN PDF online:

1

Visit Income Tax e-Filing Portal

Go to incometax.gov.in and click on 'Instant e-PAN'.

2

Select 'Check Status / Download PAN'

Click 'Continue' and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.

3

Authenticate via Aadhaar OTP

Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

4

Download Password-Protected PDF

Download your e-PAN. The PDF password is your Date of Birth in DDMMYYYY format.

🔍 How to Check PAN Card (Permanent Account Number) Application Status

Track the status of your PAN card application or correction request:

1

Visit Protean Status Tracker

Go to tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html.

2

Enter 15-Digit Acknowledgment Number

Select 'PAN - New / Change Request' and enter your acknowledgment number.

3

Track Dispatch & Consignment

View verification status and get the India Post Speed Post tracking number.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Holding more than one PAN card (possessing duplicate PANs attracts a ₹10,000 penalty under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act)
  • Failing to link PAN with Aadhaar under Section 139AA (inoperative PAN leads to 20% higher TDS deductions and blocks tax refunds)
  • Spelling mismatch between Aadhaar and PAN (must update Aadhaar demographic details first before linking)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Instant e-PAN and how can I get it for free?

Instant e-PAN is a paperless, digitally signed digital PAN issued free of charge by the Income Tax Department to applicants who have a valid Aadhaar linked to an active mobile number and have never been allotted a PAN before. It is generated within 10 minutes on incometax.gov.in and holds 100% legal validity.

What happens if PAN is not linked with Aadhaar?

Under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, an unlinked PAN becomes 'Inoperative'. An inoperative PAN cannot be used for filing ITR, pending refunds will not be issued, and TDS/TCS will be deducted at higher rates (up to 20%). To make it operative again, pay a ₹1,000 late fee challan under Major Head 0021 / Minor Head 500 on the e-Filing portal.

How can I order a physical PAN card reprint for ₹50?

If you already have a PAN number or e-PAN and need a physical plastic card, visit the official reprint portal of Protean (onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/ReprintEPan.html) or UTIITSL. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar, DOB, pay ₹50 via UPI/card, and the card will be delivered to your Aadhaar address by Speed Post.

What is the NPR number field in the PAN application form?

When filling PAN Form 49A, there is an optional field asking for the National Population Register (NPR) enumeration slip number. This is purely for census demographic integration and is 100% optional — you can leave it blank.

Can a minor apply for a PAN Card?

Yes. A minor can apply for a PAN card through their parent or legal guardian who acts as the Representative Assessee. The minor's PAN does not contain a signature or photo until they attain 18 years of age and apply for an update.

📖 Detailed Guide Available

An exhaustive, step-by-step guide on linking your Aadhaar card with your PAN card on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, resolving demographic mismatches, paying the ₹1,000 late fee challan, and reactivating inoperative PAN cards.

Read Complete Guide →

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