IdentityAll India

How to Apply for a New PAN Card

Apply for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) online through Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL — step by step, with documents required, address proofs accepted, and what to do if your application gets rejected.

Last verified: 21 June 2026
Official site: incometax.gov.in ↗

Application Mode: Online & Offline
Validity: Lifetime
Issuing Authority: Income Tax Department (ITD)
Online: Available
Offline: Available

A PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10-character alphanumeric identity issued by the Indian Income Tax Department. You'll need it to file taxes, open a bank account, invest, buy property, or carry out almost any high-value financial transaction in India.

You can apply through either Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) or UTIITSL — both are authorised by the Income Tax Department, and the process is functionally identical. The fastest path uses Aadhaar e-KYC, which autofills your details and lets you sign electronically.

You will receive an e-PAN by email within a few days — this is the legal copy. The printed plastic card follows by post.

Eligibility

You are an individual (citizen, foreign national, or NRI), a Hindu Undivided Family, or a registered entity (company, firm, trust, society) needing a tax identity in India.
You do not already hold a PAN. Holding two PANs is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act.
You have valid identity and address proofs in the same name.

Required documents

Identity proof
Required
Establishes who you are and confirms your name for PAN records.
Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, driving licence, or government-issued photo ID.
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Address proof
Required
Confirms your current address for PAN database and physical card dispatch.
Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, latest utility bill (within 3 months), bank statement, or rent agreement.
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Date-of-birth proof
Required
Used to verify your date of birth for the PAN record.
Aadhaar, passport, matriculation certificate, or birth certificate.
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Passport-size photograph
Required
Printed on the physical PAN card for visual identification.
Required for the printed PAN card.
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Signature
Required
Required for the physical PAN card — scanned and printed on the card.
Black-ink signature within the marked box on the form.
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Step-by-step process

1
Choose Protean (NSDL e-Gov) or UTIITSL
Both are authorised PAN issuers. Protean is the more commonly used path. Fees and process are identical.
protean-tinpan.com ↗
2
Open the online PAN application (Form 49A)
Indian citizens fill Form 49A; foreign citizens use Form 49AA. Choose the right form on the first screen.
3
Pick the e-KYC / e-Sign route via Aadhaar
Fastest route — Aadhaar e-KYC autofills your name, DOB, address, and photo. You sign electronically using Aadhaar OTP, so no documents need to be couriered.
4
Fill the application
Enter your name exactly as on Aadhaar. Choose AO code (Assessing Officer) based on your jurisdiction — the portal can auto-suggest from your PIN code.
5
Pay the application fee
Pay online via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
6
Submit and download acknowledgement
Save the 15-digit acknowledgement number. You can use it to track the application status.
7
Receive the e-PAN by email
An e-PAN PDF arrives within a few days at your registered email — legally valid. The physical card is dispatched separately by post.

Official website

Always confirm critical details here

incometax.gov.in

Open incometax.gov.in ↗

Who issues this?

Issuing Office: Income Tax Department, Government of India
Approving Officer: Jurisdictional Assessing Officer
For Offline Applications: Protean (NSDL) facilitation centres or UTIITSL offices across India

What happens after applying

1
Application submitted
You fill Form 49A online, upload documents (or use Aadhaar e-KYC), pay the fee, and receive a 15-digit acknowledgement number.
2
Document verification
Protean or UTIITSL verifies identity, address, and DOB proofs. e-KYC applications are verified faster since UIDAI data is used directly.
3
Income Tax Department processing
The application moves to the Income Tax Department for PAN allotment. Your details are checked against existing PAN records to prevent duplicates.
4
e-PAN issued
A digitally signed e-PAN PDF is emailed to your registered email address once the PAN is allotted.
5
Physical card dispatched
The printed PAN card is dispatched by India Post Speed Post to your registered address.

Common mistakes & rejection reasons

Name on application differs from Aadhaar
Why: Even minor spelling differences (e.g., 'Mohammad' vs 'Mohammed') cause a mismatch that delays or rejects the application.
Fix: Enter your name exactly as it appears on Aadhaar. Use the e-KYC route to autofill and avoid manual errors.
Applying for a second PAN
Why: Holding two PANs is illegal under Section 272B and can result in a penalty. The system checks existing records, and duplicate applications are flagged.
Fix: Check your PAN status at incometax.gov.in first. If you already have one, use the correction or retrieval route.
Wrong AO code selected
Why: An incorrect Assessing Officer code can mean your file goes to the wrong jurisdiction and delays processing.
Fix: Use the auto-suggest feature in the portal — enter your PIN code and the system recommends the correct AO code.
Uploading blurry or low-resolution documents
Why: Poor-quality scans are rejected during verification, requiring resubmission.
Fix: Scan documents at 200 DPI or above in colour. Ensure all text, photos, and borders are clearly visible.
Incorrect PAN holder type selected
Why: Individuals must select 'Individual' while companies, HUFs, and trusts have different form types. Wrong selection means wrong PAN format.
Fix: Confirm your entity type before starting. Individual = Form 49A, Foreign entity = Form 49AA.
Not saving the acknowledgement number
Why: Without the 15-digit acknowledgement number, you cannot track the status or recover your application reference.
Fix: Download or screenshot the acknowledgement page immediately after submission.

Special situations

NRI applying for PAN from outside India▾

NRIs can apply through Form 49A on Protean/UTIITSL, but must select 'Foreign Address' during the process. The physical card is dispatched to the Indian address if provided, or an e-PAN is emailed.

Minor applying for PAN▾

Minors can hold a PAN — the application requires the parent or guardian to sign as the representative assessee. The PAN is issued in the minor's name.

PAN application rejected due to document mismatch▾

The portal sends a rejection notice with the reason. You must submit a fresh application with corrected documents — the fee is not refunded.

Name change after marriage or legal gazette notification▾

Apply with the new name as the primary name. Provide both old identity proof and the name-change document (marriage certificate or gazette notification) as supporting proofs.

HUF applying for PAN▾

The HUF Karta (head) must apply in the HUF's name using Form 49A. The fourth character of the PAN will be 'H' (for HUF).

Frequently asked questions

How many digits is a PAN?▾

PAN is exactly 10 alphanumeric characters in the format AAAAA9999A. The fourth letter encodes the holder type (P for individual, C for company, H for HUF, etc.).

Can I apply for PAN without Aadhaar?▾

Yes, but the e-KYC route requires Aadhaar. Without it, you'll need to courier physical documents, which slows the process down.

Do I need to pay separately for the physical card?▾

No. The single application fee covers both the e-PAN and the physical card delivered by post.

Can I track my application status?▾

Yes, use the 15-digit acknowledgement number on the Protean or UTIITSL portal to see live status.

What is Form 49A and Form 49AA?▾

Form 49A is for Indian citizens and entities. Form 49AA is for foreign nationals and foreign entities. Make sure you choose the right form.

How long does it take to receive the physical PAN card?▾

The physical card is dispatched by India Post Speed Post after allotment. Delivery time varies by location — urban addresses typically receive it faster.

Can I apply for PAN at a physical office?▾

Yes. Protean and UTIITSL have facilitation centres and authorised agents across India where you can submit physical applications. The online route is faster.

What happens if my PAN application is rejected?▾

A rejection reason is communicated. You must submit a fresh application with corrected documents. The application fee from the rejected application is typically not refunded.

Is the e-PAN PDF as valid as the physical card?▾

Yes. The e-PAN (digitally signed PDF) is legally equivalent to the physical card for all tax and KYC purposes.

Can I have multiple PANs for different businesses I own?▾

Each individual can have only one PAN. Your business entities (companies, LLPs, firms) each require separate PANs in the entity's name.

Will my PAN ever expire?▾

No. PAN is valid for lifetime. It is not renewed or re-issued unless there are corrections to be made.

What if I lose my PAN card?▾

You can reprint the PAN card (same number) via Protean or UTIITSL — this is not a new application but a reprint request.

Can I link my PAN to a bank account before the physical card arrives?▾

Yes. Once the PAN is allotted and active in the Income Tax database, you can use the PAN number with your bank even before the card arrives.

What is the AO code and how do I find mine?▾

AO code stands for Assessing Officer code — it identifies the Income Tax jurisdiction over your address. The Protean/UTIITSL portal auto-suggests the right code when you enter your PIN code.

My name has initials on my government ID. How should I fill the form?▾

Write your full expanded name where possible. If the ID itself has initials, write the name exactly as it appears on the ID. Consistency between the proof and the form is what matters.

Can a foreign national or OCI cardholder apply for PAN?▾

Yes. Foreign nationals and OCIs use Form 49AA. They must provide a passport as identity proof and have a valid Indian address or correspondence address in India.

Official sources

Protean (NSDL e-Gov) — PAN Online Services ↗
protean-tinpan.com
Primary authorised PAN issuer. Apply, track, and reprint PAN cards.
UTIITSL — PAN Card Services ↗
pan.utiitsl.com
Second authorised PAN issuer — identical process and fees to Protean.
Income Tax e-Filing Portal ↗
incometax.gov.in
Income Tax Department portal for PAN linking, status checks, and ITR filing.

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.

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