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PAN Card (India)

A 10-character alphanumeric tax identifier (AAAAA9999A) from the Income Tax Department; valid for life; available physically or as e-PAN, incl. a free instant e-PAN via Aadhaar.

Do it on the official site

Income Tax Department — protean-tinpan.com · pan.utiitsl.com · incometax.gov.in (Instant e-PAN)

Fees

New PAN physical + e-PAN (India) ₹107 (UTIITSL); e-PAN only ₹72; reprint/e-PAN download ₹50 (free <30 days); Instant e-PAN FREE; PAN-Aadhaar link penalty ₹1,000 [confirmed]

Processing time

Instant e-PAN in minutes; regular new PAN/correction ~15–20 working days for the physical card

How long it lasts

Lifetime (no expiry)

What to know first

  • PAN must be linked to Aadhaar — an unlinked PAN becomes INOPERATIVE; re-linking costs ₹1,000.
  • Two agencies process applications — Protean (ex-NSDL) and UTIITSL; the IT portal also issues free Instant e-PAN.
  • Instant e-PAN is only for individuals without an existing PAN (Aadhaar + linked mobile).
  • Existing PANs stay valid under PAN 2.0 / new forms (which apply to fresh applications from 01 Apr 2026).

How to do it

  1. 1Apply (new): Form 49A on Protean/UTIITSL, Aadhaar e-KYC/e-Sign (paperless) or post documents, pay, track.
  2. 2Instant e-PAN (free): IT portal → Instant e-PAN → Aadhaar → OTP → PDF in minutes.
  3. 3Correction/reprint: Protean/UTIITSL → Change/Correction → submit proof → pay.
  4. 4Link PAN-Aadhaar: IT portal → Link Aadhaar → ₹1,000 challan if applicable.

What you need to bring

  • One POI + one POA + one DOB proof (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, DL); Aadhaar covers all three for eKYC/Instant e-PAN

In person

Nearest PAN centre / TIN-Facilitation Centre / Common Service Centre (CSC)

Questions people ask

Get a PAN for free?
Instant e-PAN on the IT portal with Aadhaar (if you don't already have one).
If I don't link to Aadhaar?
PAN goes inoperative; re-linking costs ₹1,000.
Old PAN valid under PAN 2.0?
Yes.

Documents that travel with it

Sources

  • protean-tinpan.com
  • pan.utiitsl.com
  • incometax.gov.in Instant e-PAN + Link Aadhaar (accessed 2026-06-26)