How to Get an Instant e-PAN Using Aadhaar
Get a free instant e-PAN issued in minutes through the Income Tax e-Filing portal — no documents to upload, no fees, just Aadhaar and a linked mobile number.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- incometax.gov.in ↗
The Income Tax Department's Instant e-PAN service is the fastest legal way to get a PAN in India. It uses your Aadhaar e-KYC, takes a few minutes end-to-end, and costs nothing.
It only works for individuals (not companies, firms, HUFs, or trusts), only if you don't already have a PAN, and only if your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar for OTP. If any of those conditions don't hold, use the regular PAN application route via Protean or UTIITSL.
Eligibility
- You are an individual Indian citizen (not a company, HUF, or trust).
- You hold a valid Aadhaar and the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar is active.
- You do not already have a PAN allotted to you.
- You are not a minor on the date of application.
Required documents
Aadhaar number
12-digit Aadhaar with mobile number linked for OTP.
Aadhaar-linked mobile
Used to receive OTPs. No SMS goes to any other number.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open the Income Tax e-Filing portal
Go to incometax.gov.in and choose 'Instant e-PAN' from the Quick Links.
incometax.gov.in ↗ - 2
Click 'Get New e-PAN'
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, confirm you agree to the terms, and click 'Continue'.
- 3
Verify with OTP
Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
- 4
Confirm your Aadhaar details
The portal displays the name, DOB, gender, and address fetched from UIDAI. Confirm to proceed — no editing is allowed here.
- 5
Submit and note the acknowledgement
Click 'Submit'. You'll see an acknowledgement number — save it.
- 6
Download your e-PAN
Within a few minutes, the e-PAN PDF becomes available under 'Check Status / Download PAN' on the same page. The PDF is password-protected — the password is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
incometax.gov.in
Common mistakes
- Applying through e-PAN when you already have a PAN. The portal rejects duplicate applications and you risk a Section 272B penalty.
- Trying to use a mobile number that isn't linked to your Aadhaar. The OTP will never arrive.
- Using Instant e-PAN for HUF, company, firm, or trust applications. It's individual-only.
- Expecting to edit Aadhaar details on the portal — you can't. Fix Aadhaar first if anything is wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Is the instant e-PAN legally valid?▾
Yes. It carries a QR code and is fully valid for tax and KYC purposes. No physical card is issued for this route.
Is there a fee?▾
No. The Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar is completely free.
What's the password to open the PDF?▾
Your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (no separators).
Can I use Instant e-PAN if my Aadhaar isn't linked to a mobile number?▾
No. You'll need to update your Aadhaar to add a mobile number first, then come back.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.