I already have e-PAN. How do I get a physical PAN card?

Apply for 'Reprint of PAN Card' at onlineservices.nsdl.com or pan.utiitsl.com (Form 49AA). Fee: ₹101. Upload a copy of your e-PAN, address proof, and passport-size photo. Physical card arrives within 7-15 days at your registered address. Your PAN number remains the same — this is just a reprint on plastic. No need to reapply.

Can I apply for PAN without Aadhaar?

For Indian citizens, Aadhaar is now mandatory for PAN (Section 139AA of Income Tax Act). If you don't have Aadhaar, apply for Aadhaar first at https://uidai.gov.in. However, from April 1, 2026, you can use other documents like passport, voter ID, or birth certificate along with Aadhaar. For NRIs, OCI holders, and foreign nationals, PAN can be applied using passport — Aadhaar is not required.

I made a mistake while applying. Can I cancel and reapply?

Once your application is submitted and accepted by NSDL, you cannot cancel it. However, after you receive your PAN, if there are errors, use Form 49AA to apply for corrections. If your application is still pending, contact NSDL customer support to request cancellation before approval — otherwise, wait for the card and then correct it. Multiple PAN applications with the same Aadhaar may result in duplicate PAN requests, which can cause issues.

How do I correct wrong name/DOB on PAN?

Apply for 'Changes/Correction in PAN Data' (Form 49AA) at onlineservices.nsdl.com. Upload supporting document (Aadhaar for name, birth certificate for DOB). Fee: ₹101. The corrected card arrives in 7-15 days. Important: Your PAN name MUST match your Aadhaar and all official IDs exactly — mismatches cause ITR rejection and bank KYC failures.

I lost my PAN card. How do I get a duplicate?

Your PAN number is permanent — losing the card doesn't cancel it. Apply for 'Reprint of PAN Card' at NSDL or UTIITSL (₹101). Or download e-PAN free at incometax.gov.in if your PAN is already linked with Aadhaar. e-PAN is valid for all purposes — you don't need the physical card. Reprint takes 7-15 days.

Is e-PAN legally valid everywhere?

Yes. e-PAN is a government-authenticated PDF and is 100% legally valid for all purposes: ITR filing, bank account opening, investment accounts, credit card application, property registration, loan applications, and all official transactions. Many people use e-PAN permanently without ever getting a physical card. Banks and government agencies accept e-PAN as valid proof of PAN.

How do I check my PAN status online?

Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html or https://www.utiitsl.com/pan/panstatus. Enter your 'Acknowledgment Number' (given when you submitted the form) and date of birth. Status shows: 'Pending', 'Approved', 'Dispatched', or 'Delivered'. Alternatively, if you have an e-filing account at incometax.gov.in, you can check PAN status in your dashboard.

What happens if I have multiple PANs?

Having multiple PAN cards is ILLEGAL under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act and attracts a penalty of ₹10,000. If you accidentally have 2 or more PANs, inform the Income Tax Department immediately and request to consolidate them into one. You can also visit your local IT office with proof. Using multiple PANs leads to ITR rejection, TDS mismatch, and legal action. Best practice: Always check if you have an existing PAN before applying for a new one.

Can a minor get a PAN card?

Yes. Parents/guardians can apply for PAN on behalf of a minor child. The minor's PAN is linked to the parent's/guardian's details until the child turns 18. A minor's PAN is useful for: opening a bank account in the child's name, investing in mutual funds/FDs for the child, and reporting the child's income (if any) in the parent's ITR.

How to update name/address on PAN card?

Apply for PAN correction via NSDL (onlineservices.nsdl.com) or UTIITSL. Fill 'Changes or Correction in PAN Data' form. Upload supporting documents (Aadhaar for name, utility bill for address). Fee: ₹107 (e-PAN correction) or ₹1,017 (with new physical card). Processing takes 15-20 days. Your PAN number stays the same — only the linked details change.

What is the difference between PAN and TAN?

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is for individuals and entities to track income tax. TAN (Tax Deduction/Collection Account Number) is for entities that deduct TDS from payments (employers, banks). Individuals don't need TAN — only businesses, companies, and organizations that deduct TDS need it. Both are 10-character alphanumeric codes but serve different purposes.

Updated: March 2026

💳

How to Apply for PAN Card Online — New & Reprint in 2026

Get a new PAN card in 7-15 days or an instant e-PAN in 10 minutes using Aadhaar — essential for income tax, bank accounts, and investments

Fee

₹101-107

Instant e-PAN

Free

Processing

7-15 days

Portal

incometax.gov.in

📋Why You Need a PAN Card

A PAN (Permanent Account Number) card is India's unique tax identifier — every Indian citizen earning income must have one. The PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric code assigned by the Income Tax Department.

It's not just for taxes — it's essential for dozens of financial and legal transactions.

Income tax filing: If your annual income exceeds ₹5 lakh (or ₹2.5 lakh for senior citizens), filing ITR (Income Tax Return) is mandatory — and you need a PAN to file. Even if your income is below the threshold, filing ITR is beneficial for claiming refunds, carrying forward losses, or establishing credit history.

Bank accounts and investments: Every bank account opened in India now requires Aadhaar and PAN for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. Opening an investment account (stocks, mutual funds, ETFs), fixed deposits, savings schemes — all require PAN.

Without PAN, you cannot open a bank account or perform most financial transactions.

Credit card and loans: Credit card applications, home loans, personal loans, auto loans — all require PAN verification by lenders to check your credit history and assess loan eligibility.

Property registration and inheritance: Buying or selling property, registering a will, claiming inheritance — all legal property transactions require PAN.

Employment and salary: Your employer must collect your PAN for salary processing. Government employees, contractors, and freelancers all need PAN for payment and tax deduction at source (TDS).

Driving fines and penalties: Traffic challans, court penalties — income tax notices — all reference your PAN. If you don't have PAN, administrative fines may go unprocessed.

Multiple PAN penalty: Important — having multiple PAN cards is ILLEGAL and attracts a ₹10,000 penalty. If you already have a PAN, don't apply for a new one — instead, use the 'Correction/Reprint' option at NSDL if you need changes.

Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar OTP costs only ₹107 and arrives in 10 minutes as a PDF on your email. Physical card delivery takes 15-20 days extra.

⚡3 Ways to Get a PAN Card in 2026

Method 1 — Instant e-PAN (FREE, 10 minutes): If you have an Aadhaar with a linked mobile number and have never had a PAN before, you can get an instant e-PAN at incometax.gov.in under 'Instant e-PAN'. It's completely free and generates your PAN number in 10 minutes via Aadhaar e-KYC.

You get a downloadable e-PAN (PDF). No physical card is mailed.

This e-PAN is legally valid everywhere — banks, investments, tax filings, all accept it. From April 2026, applicants will need additional documents (birth certificate, voter ID, passport) along with Aadhaar, but applications with only Aadhaar remain allowed until March 31, 2026.

Method 2 — Online Application via NSDL (₹101-107, 7-15 days): Apply at onlineservices.nsdl.com under 'PAN - New/Change Request'. This is the standard process for new PAN, corrections, or reprint.

You can submit documents online (paperless mode costs ₹101, physical document submission costs ₹107). You get both e-PAN (emailed within 2-3 days) and physical PAN card (by post within 7-15 working days).

Fee for foreign address: ₹1,017. This method is best if you want a physical card or need to correct existing information.

Method 3 — Online via UTIITSL (₹101-107, 7-15 days): Alternative portal at pan.utiitsl.com. Same fee structure, processing time, and eligibility as NSDL.

Both NSDL and UTIITSL are authorized PAN service providers under the Income Tax Department. Choose whichever portal is convenient — the application reaches the IT Department in both cases, and your PAN validity is identical.

Special cases: NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), OCI holders, and foreign nationals can apply for PAN using passport as primary ID proof. Aadhaar is not required for them.

Children and minors can get PAN — a parent or guardian submits the application with child's identity proof.

Renewal and validity: PAN card is permanent and NEVER expires. You get one PAN for life.

The 10-digit number assigned to you remains the same forever. You never need to 'renew' it.

However, if there are errors in your name, address, or DOB, you must correct them using the 'Correction' option within 3 months of receiving your card.

✨How to Get Instant e-PAN (FREE, 10 Minutes)

Go to incometax.gov.in → Instant e-PAN

Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal at https://incometax.gov.in. Look for 'Instant e-PAN' under Quick Links. No registration or login required. The portal is available 24/7.

Enter Aadhaar number

Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number. Confirm that you don't have an existing PAN. Accept the terms and conditions. The system checks whether you're already registered in the PAN system — if you have a PAN, you cannot get instant e-PAN again (apply for reprint instead).

Verify with Aadhaar OTP

OTP is automatically sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number (last 4 digits shown on screen). Enter the OTP within 3 minutes. Your identity is verified through Aadhaar e-KYC — this is a live government authentication, so no document upload needed. The system confirms 'OTP verified'.

PAN is generated instantly

Your PAN number is allotted immediately. The screen displays your 10-digit PAN. Download the e-PAN (PDF) from the same page — save this file and take a printout. The e-PAN also goes to your email registered with Aadhaar within 1-2 minutes.

Start using your PAN

Your e-PAN is legally valid for all purposes — tax filing, bank KYC, investments, credit cards, property registration. No physical card is sent. The PDF e-PAN is self-authenticated and accepted by all government agencies and banks. You can use this for immediate needs while a physical card (if ordered separately) arrives.

📝How to Apply for Physical PAN Card (NSDL Online)

Visit onlineservices.nsdl.com

Go to https://onlineservices.nsdl.com. Click on 'PAN - New/Change Request'. Select the appropriate form: 'New PAN - Indian Citizen' (Form 49A) for a new PAN, or 'Changes/Correction in PAN Data' (Form 49AA) if you already have a PAN and need to update name, address, or other details. For NRIs, select Form 49AA (New PAN-Foreign Citizen).

Fill Form 49A online

Enter personal details: full name (must match Aadhaar exactly — check spelling), date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY), father's name, mother's name, gender, residential address, email, mobile number. Choose source of income: salaried, self-employed, business, investment, or others. The form auto-suggests AO code (Assessing Officer code) based on your address — verify this is correct as it determines your tax jurisdiction. You can change the AO code if required.

Upload documents online

Upload documents as JPEG images (max 1MB each). Required: (1) Identity proof — Aadhaar card (front and back if both sides visible), Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License. (2) Address proof — Aadhaar, utility bill (electricity/water, max 3 months old), bank statement, telephone bill, or Passport. (3) Date of birth proof — Aadhaar, birth certificate, 10th or 12th marksheet, or Passport. (4) Signature — on white paper with black ink, scanned as JPEG (1MB max). All documents must be clear and legible. Tip: If using Aadhaar for identity, address, and DOB, one Aadhaar upload can serve all three purposes.

Pay ₹101-107 and submit

Choose payment method: debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. Paperless mode (online documents) costs ₹101. Physical document submission mode costs ₹107. After successful payment, you get an 'Acknowledgment Number' — save this for tracking and reference. The form is now submitted to NSDL for processing.

Track your application status

Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html or https://www.utiitsl.com/pan/panstatus. Enter your acknowledgment number and DOB. The status shows: 'Pending', 'Approved', 'Dispatched', or 'Delivered'. You can also check the status at incometax.gov.in if you have an e-filing login.

Receive e-PAN and physical card

e-PAN (PDF) is emailed within 2-3 working days of approval. Physical PAN card is printed and dispatched within 7-15 working days. It arrives by ordinary post (no tracking). Some states use speed post or courier. If you don't receive the card within 20 days, contact NSDL customer support or reapply for 'Reprint of PAN Card'. The e-PAN is valid immediately — start using it for all purposes while waiting for the physical card.

📄Documents & Requirements Checklist

Document Type	Accepted Documents	Format & Size
Identity Proof (Required)	Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License, Birth Certificate (for minors)	JPEG image, max 1MB, both sides if applicable
Address Proof (Required)	Aadhaar, Utility bill (electricity/water/gas, max 3 months old), Bank statement, Telephone bill, Passport, Voter ID	JPEG image, max 1MB, name and address clearly visible
Date of Birth Proof (Required)	Aadhaar, Birth certificate, 10th/12th marksheet, Passport, School leaving certificate	JPEG image, max 1MB, date clearly visible
Signature (Required)	Handwritten signature on white paper with black/blue ink, scanned	JPEG image, max 1MB, clear and readable
Photograph (For physical card)	Recent passport-size photo (30x40mm), color or B&W, white background, no glasses/headgear	JPEG image, max 1MB, taken within 6 months

💰PAN Card Fees Breakdown (2026)

Application Type	Mode	Fee (₹)	Delivery Time	Output
New PAN (Indian Address)	Paperless (online documents)	101	7-15 working days	e-PAN + Physical card
New PAN (Indian Address)	Physical document submission	107	7-15 working days	e-PAN + Physical card
New PAN (Foreign Address)	Paperless	1017	15-30 working days	e-PAN only (physical card only if requested)
e-PAN only (no physical card)	Paperless	66	2-3 days	e-PAN PDF only
e-PAN only (no physical card)	Physical documents	72	2-3 days	e-PAN PDF only
Reprint of PAN Card	Paperless	101	7-15 working days	Physical card (same PAN number)
Correction/Changes in PAN Data	Paperless	101	7-15 working days	Updated card
Instant e-PAN (via Aadhaar)	Free online	0	10 minutes	e-PAN PDF via email

🔧Common Corrections & Changes

If you need to correct your name, address, DOB, or other details on your PAN: Use Form 49AA ('Change/Correction in PAN Data') at NSDL or UTIITSL. Fee is ₹101.

Processing takes 7-15 days. You must provide supporting documents showing the correct information (e.g., updated Aadhaar for name change, new address proof for relocation).

The corrected PAN card is dispatched within 15 days. Your PAN number remains the same — only the card details change.

Critical: Your PAN name MUST match your Aadhaar name exactly. If there's a mismatch, your ITR filing will be rejected, bank accounts won't verify, and you'll face issues with tax authorities.

If your name is different on PAN and Aadhaar, immediately apply for correction. Also, ensure your PAN address matches your current residence — banks check this during KYC.

Instant e-PAN — the fastest way

💡Instant e-PAN — the fastest way

Visit incometax.gov.in → 'Instant e-PAN' → Enter Aadhaar → OTP verification → PAN generated in 10 minutes. This is FREE for first-time applicants with Aadhaar. The e-PAN PDF is legally valid everywhere — banks, ITR filing, investments. No need to wait for physical card.

One person = one PAN only

💡One person = one PAN only

Having multiple PAN cards is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act. Penalty: ₹10,000. If you accidentally have two PANs, surrender the duplicate via Form 49C on the NSDL website or by writing to your Assessing Officer. Keep the PAN that's linked to your ITR filing history.

Link PAN to Aadhaar — mandatory

💡Link PAN to Aadhaar — mandatory

PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory. Unlinked PANs become 'inoperative' — you can't file ITR, open bank accounts, or do transactions above ₹50,000. Link at incometax.gov.in → 'Link Aadhaar' or SMS 'UIDPAN [Aadhaar] [PAN]' to 567678. Late linking fee: ₹1,000.

Instant e-PAN through the income tax portal is free for first-time applicants with Aadhaar. No fees, no documents to upload, PAN number generated in 10 minutes flat. There's no reason to pay agents ₹500-1,000 when the government offers it free.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN →How to File Income Tax Return (ITR) →How to Update Aadhaar Card Online →

This guide is based on current NSDL and UTIITSL processes and Income Tax Department rules as of March 2026. Fees, procedures, and eligibility criteria may change. Always verify at https://incometax.gov.in or https://onlineservices.nsdl.com for the latest updates. Consult a tax professional for complex situations like multiple PAN consolidation or NRI PAN applications.

Ashutosh Khulbe

Researched & verified from official sources

Updated
March 2026