PAN Card: How to Apply Online, Documents, Fees and e-PAN Download
Short answer
You can apply for a PAN card online through Protean or UTIITSL with the applicable PAN application form, or use the Income Tax e-Filing portal for Instant e-PAN if you meet its current eligibility conditions. Instant e-PAN is free and requires a valid Aadhaar linked to an active mobile number, access to DigiLocker, and no existing PAN; minors are not eligible for the Instant e-PAN service. Check the official Income Tax portal for the current process before applying.
Eligibility
- Any Indian citizen, including minors through a guardian.
- Foreign citizens apply on Form 49AA.
- Instant e-PAN requires a valid Aadhaar, a mobile number linked to Aadhaar, access to DigiLocker, no existing PAN, and the applicant must not be a minor on the date of request.
Required documents
- Aadhaar card (identity, address and date of birth proof)
- Alternative ID: voter ID, passport, driving licence
- Date of birth proof: birth certificate, matriculation certificate
- Passport size photograph and signature for physical applications
- Company or firm registration documents for non-individual PAN
Step-by-step process
- For Instant e-PAN: open incometax.gov.in, choose Instant e-PAN, select Get New e-PAN, verify Aadhaar OTP and complete the required DigiLocker/document step, then download the PDF.
- For a regular PAN: open the Protean or UTIITSL portal and choose New PAN (Form 49A).
- Select the mode: Aadhaar-based e-KYC (paperless), digital signature, or physical document submission.
- Fill personal details exactly as in Aadhaar, including father name where required.
- Pay the application fee online and note the acknowledgement number.
- Complete Aadhaar OTP e-KYC, or courier the signed acknowledgement if you chose the physical mode.
- Track with the acknowledgement number and download the e-PAN when issued.
Fees and processing time
| Fees | Instant e-PAN on the Income Tax portal is free. Protean and UTIITSL charge a small fee for a physical PAN card with Indian dispatch, and a higher fee for foreign dispatch. Corrections and reprints carry their own fee. Check the current amount on the portal before paying. |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Instant e-PAN is designed as a quick online service; the official portal provides the current status and process. Physical PAN delivery time depends on the application mode and dispatch. |
Always verify the latest fee, eligibility and deadline on the official government portal.
Where to apply
incometax.gov.in for instant e-PAN, or the Protean / UTIITSL portals.
Income Tax e-filing (Instant e-PAN) ↗ Protean PAN services ↗ UTIITSL PAN ↗
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a second PAN when one already exists — holding two PANs attracts a penalty. Ask for a correction or reprint instead.
- Name spelling that does not match Aadhaar, which fails e-KYC.
- Paying on lookalike websites; use only the official portals above.
- Ignoring PAN-Aadhaar linking, which can make the PAN inoperative.
Frequently asked questions
Is Instant e-PAN free and who can use it?
Yes. The Income Tax Department says Instant e-PAN is free. It is for an individual who has not already been allotted a PAN, has a valid Aadhaar linked to an active mobile number, has access to DigiLocker, and is not a minor on the date of request.
How do I link PAN with Aadhaar?
Use the Link Aadhaar option on incometax.gov.in. If a late fee applies, the portal collects it before linking.
What if my PAN is inoperative?
Link it with Aadhaar and pay any applicable fee; it usually becomes operative again within about 30 days.
How do I correct my name or date of birth?
Use the PAN correction form on Protean or UTIITSL and upload proof matching the corrected value.
Official sources
Disclaimer: UPDigital.in is an independent information platform and is not a government website. We do not collect application fees and never ask for your Aadhaar number, OTP, UPI PIN or bank password.