How to Apply for PAN Card Online
What Is a PAN Card?
A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department. It is mandatory for filing income tax returns, opening a bank account, high-value financial transactions, and is widely used as a general identity document in India.
Two Ways to Get a PAN
1. Instant e-PAN (Free, Aadhaar-based)
If you have a valid Aadhaar with a linked mobile number and have never been issued a PAN before, you can get an instant e-PAN for free on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal. This uses Aadhaar e-KYC and typically issues a PDF e-PAN within 10 minutes — no physical documents needed, but it's only available to individuals whose Aadhaar details are complete and up to date.
2. Regular Application via NSDL/UTIITSL
For everyone else — including those needing a physical PAN card, minors, non-residents, HUFs, or entities — the standard route is applying via NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL's online portals using Form 49A (residents) or Form 49AA (foreign citizens).
Documents Required
- Proof of identity: Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, or driving licence
- Proof of address: Aadhaar card, utility bill (not older than 3 months), bank account statement, or passport
- Proof of date of birth: Birth certificate, matriculation certificate, or passport
- Passport-size photograph (for physical card applications)
- For minors: parent/guardian's PAN and identity proof
- For businesses: Certificate of Incorporation, partnership deed, or registration certificate as applicable
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the NSDL (Protean eGov) or UTIITSL PAN application portal
- Select the applicant category (individual, HUF, company, etc.) and fill in personal details
- Upload or courier the required documents, depending on whether you choose e-KYC/e-Sign (paperless) or physical submission
- Pay the applicable fee online
- Note the acknowledgement number generated — use this to track your application status
- Once processed, the e-PAN is emailed to you and the physical card (if opted for) is dispatched by post
PAN Card Fees
For applications with an Indian communication address, the fee is typically around ₹100-110 (inclusive of GST) for e-PAN plus physical card dispatch within India. For a foreign communication address, the fee is higher (~₹1,000+) to cover international dispatch. The Aadhaar-based instant e-PAN on the income tax portal is free.
Processing Time
Instant e-PAN (Aadhaar-based): typically within 10 minutes. Regular NSDL/UTIITSL applications: the e-PAN is usually issued within 7-15 working days, with the physical card following shortly after by post.
How to Check PAN Application Status
Use the acknowledgement number generated at the time of application on the respective NSDL or UTIITSL tracking page to check real-time status — from "under process" to "dispatched."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Name mismatch: Name entered must match exactly with the proof of identity document submitted
- Applying for a duplicate PAN: Holding more than one PAN is illegal and attracts a penalty under Section 272B — if you've lost your PAN, apply for a reprint/correction instead of a fresh application
- Incomplete address proof: Utility bills older than 3 months are commonly rejected
If your situation is more complex — a name change, a lost PAN needing reprint, or a NRI/foreign national application — our CA team can guide you through the correct application type to avoid rejection and delay.