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.
Instant e-PAN and PAN correction
What instant e-PAN is
Instant e-PAN is a digitally signed PAN issued as a PDF, generated from your Aadhaar via the Income Tax e-filing portal. It is free and valid exactly like a physical PAN.
Who can use it
- Individuals who do not already have a PAN.
- Whose Aadhaar is active and linked to a mobile number (for OTP).
- Whose Aadhaar details (name, DOB) are up to date.
Step by step
- Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal → “Instant e-PAN”.
- Choose “Get New e-PAN” and enter your Aadhaar number.
- Verify with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Confirm your details; the e-PAN is generated and you can download the PDF.
Good to know
The e-PAN PDF is your valid PAN — you don’t have to wait for a physical card. If you need updates later or a reprint, use the authorised providers (see applying for PAN and PAN correction/status). Remember to keep PAN and Aadhaar linked.
How to correct/update PAN
- Go to an authorised provider’s portal (Protean or UTIITSL) and choose “Changes or Correction in existing PAN”.
- Enter your PAN and the fields to correct (name, DOB, address, photo, signature).
- Complete Aadhaar e-KYC where possible; otherwise upload supporting documents.
- Pay the fee and submit; save the acknowledgement number.
How to check PAN status
Use the acknowledgement number on the provider’s “Track PAN status” page (or check by name and DOB). You’ll see stages from “submitted” to “dispatched”. An updated e-PAN is emailed once processed.
Tips to avoid rejection
- Match your details to Aadhaar exactly (name spelling, DOB).
- Keep proof documents ready if not using e-KYC.
- One PAN per person — never apply for a second PAN; correct the existing one (holding two PANs attracts a penalty).
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.
