How to Apply for PAN Card Online: Step by Step Guide

Key facts

Authority

Income Tax Department, through Protean eGov Technologies and UTIITSL

Takes

Instant e-PAN through Aadhaar is issued in minutes; a Form 49A application can be status tracked from the third day onwards

Costs

Free for instant e-PAN on the income tax portal. Through Protean, a physical PAN card to an Indian address costs Rs 107 including taxes, Rs 1,017 to a foreign address, and e-PAN only costs Rs 72. Paperless applications using e-KYC, e-Sign or DSC cost Rs 101, Rs 1,011 and Rs 66

Mode

Online and offline

There are two ways to get a PAN. If you have an Aadhaar with a linked mobile number, the fastest and cheapest route is the free Instant e-PAN service on the income tax portal, which issues a digitally signed PAN within minutes. Everyone else applies through Protean eGov Technologies or UTIITSL using Form 49A, where a physical card to an Indian address costs Rs 107 including taxes.

What you need before you start

Keep three proofs ready: identity, address and date of birth. Aadhaar covers all three on its own in many cases. For a physical mode application you also need two recent colour photographs with a white background, sized 3.5 cm by 2.5 cm. If you plan to use Instant e-PAN or the paperless e-KYC route, make sure the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar is working, because the entire verification runs on OTP.

Step by step

Check whether you qualify for Instant e-PAN. You must not already hold a PAN, must have a valid Aadhaar with a linked active mobile number and DigiLocker access, and must not be a minor or a representative assessee.
For Instant e-PAN, go to incometax.gov.in, click Instant e-PAN under Quick Links, then Get New e-PAN, verify by Aadhaar OTP, grant DigiLocker access and submit. It is free.
Otherwise open the Protean or UTIITSL PAN site and select Form 49A. Foreign citizens use Form 49AA.
Pick the paperless e-KYC, e-Sign or DSC mode if you can, since it is cheaper and needs no posting.
Fill in your details exactly as they appear on your proof of identity and choose physical card or e-PAN only.
Attach the three proofs and, in physical mode, the two photographs.
Pay online and save the 15 digit acknowledgement number.
Track the status from the third day and download the e-PAN when issued.

Fees and timelines

Instant e-PAN is free. Through Protean, a physical card to an Indian address is Rs 107 including taxes, or Rs 101 through the paperless route. A card to a foreign address is Rs 1,017, or Rs 1,011 paperless. An e-PAN only application is Rs 72, or Rs 66 paperless. Instant e-PAN arrives in minutes. A Form 49A application can be status tracked from the third day onwards.

What to do if it goes wrong

Most rejections come from a name mismatch. The name on the application must match the name on the proof of identity, character for character, including initials and middle names. If your application is rejected, correct the specific field and reapply rather than starting fresh with different documents.

If you already hold a PAN, do not apply again. Holding two PANs attracts a penalty. Instead use the change or correction request to update your details, or the reprint service to get a fresh card. If your instant e-PAN request fails, it is usually because the Aadhaar mobile number is not active or DigiLocker access was refused, so fix that first and retry. For a lost card, use the Reprint PAN Card service on the Protean site rather than filing a new application.

Documents you need

Proof of identity such as Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence or passport

Proof of address such as a recent utility bill, bank statement, property tax assessment or employer certificate

Proof of date of birth such as Aadhaar, the matriculation certificate, a birth certificate or a marriage certificate

Two recent colour photographs with a white background, size 3.5 cm by 2.5 cm, for a physical mode application

A mobile number linked to Aadhaar if you are using the instant e-PAN or e-KYC route

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to apply for a PAN card?

You need three proofs: identity (Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence or passport), address (utility bill, bank statement, property tax or employer certificate) and date of birth (Aadhaar, school certificate or birth certificate). For physical card, also bring two 3.5 cm by 2.5 cm colour photographs with white background.

Is PAN card application free?

Instant e-PAN through the income tax portal is completely free. Through Protean, a physical PAN card costs Rs 107 for Indian address or Rs 1,017 for foreign address. Paperless applications cost Rs 101 or Rs 66 for e-PAN only.

How long does it take to get a PAN card?

Instant e-PAN is issued within minutes if you have Aadhaar with linked mobile number. Form 49A applications can be tracked from the third day onwards to check status and download your e-PAN when ready.

Who is eligible for Instant e-PAN?

You must not already hold a PAN, must have valid Aadhaar with linked active mobile number, must have DigiLocker access and must not be a minor or representative assessee. The mobile number must be working to receive OTP verification.

What is the main reason for PAN application rejection?

Most rejections happen due to name mismatch. Your name in the application must match exactly with your identity proof, including initials and middle names, character for character. Correct the field and reapply instead of starting fresh.