Who should use Instant e‑PAN?

Individual residents with Aadhaar and mobile linked to Aadhaar who need a quick digital PAN and do not require special categories like HUF or company PAN.

How long does Instant e‑PAN take?

Usually a few minutes to a few hours; e‑PAN PDF is downloadable the same day from the Income Tax portal once allotted.

Is physical PAN card sent for Instant e‑PAN?

No, Instant e‑PAN provides only a digitally signed PDF; for a physical laminated card, apply via NSDL/UTIITSL and select physical dispatch option during application.

What if my Aadhaar and PAN application details don’t match?

Name, date of birth, or gender mismatches can cause rejection; first correct your Aadhaar or use the same format as Aadhaar when filling the PAN form.

How do I track my PAN application status?

Use the 15‑digit acknowledgment/reference number on NSDL/UTIITSL or Income Tax status pages to see whether your application is under process, approved, printed, or dispatched.

How to Apply for a New PAN Card Online (NSDL, UTIITSL, e‑PAN) | JanSevaHelp

Overview

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a 10‑character alphanumeric ID issued by the Income Tax Department and is mandatory for almost every major financial activity in India, including opening a bank account, investing in mutual funds, filing ITR, buying property above a certain value, or doing high‑value cash transactions. In 2026, you can apply for a new PAN fully online via three official channels: the Income Tax portal for free Instant e‑PAN (Aadhaar‑based), the Protean/TIN‑NSDL portal, and the UTIITSL portal. All three are authorized by the government and integrate directly with the central PAN database. For most individual residents with a valid Aadhaar and a mobile number linked to Aadhaar, Instant e‑PAN is the fastest and easiest option, generating a soft‑copy PDF PAN in a few minutes without uploading documents or signing physical forms. If you want a physical laminated PAN card delivered by post, or you are applying for HUF/firm/company/foreign citizen, you must use the NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL portals and fill Form 49A (for Indian citizens) or Form 49AA (for foreign citizens). The standard online application fee is visible on the portal at payment step and varies slightly for Indian vs foreign communication address; you can pay via net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, or demand draft in some cases. After applying, you receive a 15‑digit acknowledgment/reference number by email/SMS, which you can use to track PAN status until the card is printed and dispatched. This guide explains who needs PAN, which mode to choose, what documents are required, and every step of the process on each portal, including the latest 2026 flows (Aadhaar OTP, e‑sign, document upload, and speed‑post submission where required). It also highlights common mistakes—like mismatched name/date of birth between Aadhaar and the form, wrong category selection, or incomplete signatures on acknowledgment—that often lead to rejection or delays.

Who is Eligible?

Indian citizen (resident or NRI) who does not already have a PAN
Foreign citizen needing PAN for business/income in India
Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), firm, company, trust, or AOP requiring PAN for tax purposes
Individuals with valid Aadhaar and mobile number for Instant e‑PAN
Minor applicants can apply via guardian; companies must apply via authorized signatory

Documents Required

Valid Aadhaar card (mandatory for Instant e‑PAN; recommended for regular PAN)
Proof of identity (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, driving licence, etc.) for NSDL/UTIITSL routes
Proof of address (Aadhaar, utility bill, bank statement, passport, ration card, etc.)
Passport‑size photograph (for physical PAN card applications)
Proof of date of birth (birth certificate, matriculation certificate, passport, Aadhaar, etc.)
For non‑individuals: registration certificate, partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, or trust deed as applicable

Process & Guidelines

Step 1: Decide which mode to use –

Instant e‑PAN (Income Tax portal) if you are an individual with Aadhaar and only need a digital PAN

NSDL/Protean or UTIITSL online form if you need physical card, special category (HUF/firm/company), or foreign address

Step 2: For Instant e‑PAN, visit incometax.gov.in, go to ‘Instant e‑PAN’ service, click ‘Get New e‑PAN’, and enter your Aadhaar number.

Step 3: Agree to the consent, request OTP, enter OTP sent to Aadhaar‑linked mobile, confirm your details (name, date of birth, gender) as shown from Aadhaar, validate email if asked, and submit.

Step 4: Wait for processing; within minutes or a few hours, your PAN is allotted and you can download the e‑PAN PDF from the same portal or via the link sent to your email/SMS.

Step 5: For NSDL route, visit the official Protean/TIN‑NSDL PAN page, choose ‘New PAN – Indian Citizen (Form 49A)’ or ‘New PAN – Foreign Citizen (Form 49AA)’ and select category ‘Individual’ (or other correct category).

Step 6: Fill the online form with your name (exactly as on Aadhaar), date of birth, email, and mobile number, submit the captcha, and note the Token Number sent to your email; then click ‘Continue with PAN Application Form’ to move to the detailed form.

Step 7: Choose mode of document submission – e‑KYC & e‑sign (Aadhaar OTP, no physical documents), scan & e‑sign (upload scanned documents + Aadhaar OTP), or physical submission (send documents + photos + signed acknowledgment by post).

Step 8: Carefully fill all sections – personal details, address, AO (Assessing Officer) code, contact details, Aadhaar details, and parent details; ensure the name, date of birth, and gender match Aadhaar to avoid rejection.

Step 9: Upload required documents (for e‑sign/scan modes), upload photo and signature where required, review the form, and proceed to payment; pay the fee using your preferred payment method.

Step 10: After successful payment, download and print the acknowledgment form (with 15‑digit acknowledgment number); if you chose physical submission, paste photos, sign in the relevant boxes, attach self‑attested document copies, and send to the NSDL/Protean address mentioned on the slip within the specified time.

Step 11: For UTIITSL route, go to the PAN section, choose ‘Apply for New PAN (Form 49A)’, select your applicant status and document submission mode, and repeat similar steps: fill the form, upload documents, pay fees, and note the reference number.

Step 12: Track your PAN status using the acknowledgment/reference number on NSDL/UTIITSL or services.india.gov.in PAN tracking page until the application is processed, PAN generated, and physical card dispatched to your communication address (usually within 15–45 days depending on mode).

How to Apply for a New PAN Card Online (NSDL, UTIITSL, e‑PAN)