PAN Card Apply Online, Download & Lost PAN Fix — Complete Guide (2026)

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is mandatory for all financial transactions above ₹50,000, ITR filing, bank account opening, investment accounts, and income-generating activities. This guide covers everything — new PAN application, e-PAN download, lost PAN recovery, and corrections.

New PAN Card — Apply Online (2026)

Method 1: Instant e-PAN via Income Tax Portal (Free, For Aadhaar Holders)

Eligibility: Aadhaar card + Aadhaar-linked mobile number

1. Go to incometax.gov.in
2. Click "Instant e-PAN" (on homepage)
3. Click "Get New e-PAN"
4. Enter Aadhaar number + accept terms
5. OTP sent to Aadhaar-linked mobile → Enter OTP
6. Verify Aadhaar details (name, DOB, gender)
7. PAN allotted instantly — e-PAN PDF sent to registered email
8. Cost: FREE

Note: Instant e-PAN is a digital-only PAN. You get a PDF PAN card. If you need a physical PAN card, apply via NSDL or UTIITSL.

Method 2: NSDL (Physical PAN Card — ₹107)

1. Go to onlineservices.nsdl.com
2. Select Application Type: New PAN — Indian Citizen (Form 49A)
3. Fill form: name, DOB, address, contact, documents
4. Upload: Photo, signature, Aadhaar (for address + identity proof)
5. Pay ₹107 (within India) via net banking / debit card / UPI
6. Note the 15-digit acknowledgment number
7. Physical PAN card delivered to address in 15–20 working days
8. e-PAN sent to email within 24–48 hours after application

Method 3: UTIITSL (Physical PAN — ₹107)

1. Go to www.utiitsl.com → PAN Services
2. Select New PAN → Fill Form 49A online
3. Upload documents + pay
4. Physical card in 15–20 days

Download e-PAN (Existing PAN)

Method 1: Income Tax Portal

1. Go to incometax.gov.in
2. Click "Instant e-PAN" → "Check Status / Download e-PAN"
3. Enter Aadhaar number + OTP
4. Download e-PAN PDF

Method 2: NSDL

1. Go to tin.tin.nsdl.com
2. Click "Download e-PAN"
3. Enter: Acknowledgment number / PAN number + DOB
4. OTP + download PDF

Method 3: UTIITSL

1. www.utiitsl.com → Download e-PAN
2. Enter PAN + DOB + GST/email/Aadhaar
3. Pay ₹8.26 (if not applied through UTIITSL) → Download

Lost PAN Card — Reprint/Duplicate

Option 1: Reprint via NSDL (Physical Card)

1. NSDL website → "Reprint of PAN Card"
2. Enter PAN number + Aadhaar + DOB
3. OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile
4. Pay ₹50 (within India) → New physical card delivered in 15 days

Option 2: Download e-PAN (Free/₹8) For most purposes (bank KYC, ITR, investments), e-PAN PDF is accepted. Download from IT portal using Aadhaar + OTP (see above — free).

Option 3: UTIITSL Reprint

• UTIITSL website → PAN Reprint → Fill details + pay → Physical card in 15 days

PAN Correction — Change Name, DOB, Address

If your PAN has wrong name, date of birth, or other errors:

1. Go to NSDL or UTIITSL → "Changes/Corrections in PAN"
2. Select: Form for correction (Indian Citizen: 49A for changes)
3. Tick the fields you want to correct
4. Upload supporting documents:
   • Name change: Marriage certificate / gazette notification
   • DOB change: Birth certificate / school certificate
   • Address: Not reflected on PAN card (only on records)
5. Pay ₹107 + submit
6. Corrected PAN card delivered in 15–20 working days

Aadhaar-PAN Linking (Mandatory)

PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory. If not linked, your PAN becomes inoperative (cannot file ITR, make high-value transactions).

How to Link Aadhaar to PAN:

Via Income Tax Portal

1. Login to incometax.gov.in
2. "Link Aadhaar" (visible on dashboard if not linked)
3. Enter PAN + Aadhaar number + name
4. OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile → Confirm
5. Link confirmed instantly (or within 3–5 days for verification)

Without Login (e-Filing SMS)

• SMS UIDPAN<12-digit Aadhaar><10-digit PAN> to 567678 or 56161
• Response confirms link status

Fee for late PAN-Aadhaar linking: ₹1,000 penalty applicable if not linked by the due date. Currently applicable fee must be paid via challan before linking.

Check PAN Status (Application / Delivery)

For NSDL applications:

1. tin.tin.nsdl.com → Track PAN Card
2. Enter 15-digit acknowledgment number → Track

For UTIITSL applications:

1. www.utiitsl.com → Track PAN Status

Delivery: PAN card dispatched via Speed Post with tracking number (sent to email). Track at indiapost.gov.in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a new PAN card? Instant e-PAN: Within 30 minutes. Physical PAN card: 15–20 working days via NSDL/UTIITSL.

Is e-PAN valid for bank KYC? Yes — e-PAN (PDF) is legally equivalent to physical PAN for KYC purposes. Banks, brokers, and most institutions accept e-PAN.

I have two PAN cards — what should I do? Having two PANs is illegal and attracts a penalty of ₹10,000. Surrender the duplicate PAN at a NSDL office or via your Assessing Officer. Keep only one.

Can I get PAN without Aadhaar? Yes — but the process is longer. You'll need offline document submission (passport-size photo, address proof, identity proof) via NSDL physical form or agent.

Is PAN card the same as PAN number? PAN (Permanent Account Number) is the 10-digit alphanumeric number (e.g., ABCDE1234F). The PAN card is the physical/digital card showing this number. Both terms are often used interchangeably.

My PAN shows wrong date of birth in bank records — how to fix? First correct the PAN at NSDL/UTIITSL (document correction with DOB proof). Then update the corrected PAN details with your bank via KYC update form.