How to Apply for a PAN Card in India (Online)
Last verified: June 2026, against official UIDAI, Income Tax Department and PAN service-provider procedures. Fees and steps can change — confirm on the official portals. General information, not legal advice.
A PAN (Permanent Account Number) is mandatory for filing taxes, opening most bank accounts, and high-value transactions. Applying is straightforward and largely online. Here is how.
Where to apply
PAN is issued by the Income Tax Department through two authorised service providers — Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) and UTIITSL. Both let you apply online using Form 49A (for residents).
Step by step
- Go to an authorised provider’s PAN portal and choose “new PAN”.
- Fill Form 49A with your name, date of birth, address and contact details.
- Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC/e-Sign (OTP to your Aadhaar-linked mobile) to avoid sending physical documents.
- Pay the fee — around ₹107 for an Indian communication address (about ₹1,017 if the card is to be dispatched abroad).
- Submit; note the acknowledgement number to track status.
What you get
An e-PAN (PDF) is emailed, and the physical PAN card is posted, usually within about two weeks. If you only need it instantly and have Aadhaar, see instant e-PAN (free).
Documents
With Aadhaar e-KYC you typically need no separate documents; otherwise, proof of identity, address and date of birth. Your name and DOB must match Aadhaar to avoid rejection.
FAQs
How do I apply for a PAN card?
Online via an authorised provider (Protean or UTIITSL) using Form 49A and Aadhaar e-KYC, then pay the fee.
How much does a PAN card cost?
Around ₹107 for an Indian address (about ₹1,017 for dispatch abroad).
How long does it take?
The e-PAN is emailed quickly; the physical card usually arrives within about two weeks.
