How to Link PAN with Aadhaar
Link your PAN with Aadhaar through the Income Tax e-Filing portal — step by step, including how to check the link status and how to handle a name or DOB mismatch.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- incometax.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Permanent once linked
- Issuing Authority
- Income Tax Department (ITD)
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
The Indian government has mandated that every PAN must be linked to its holder's Aadhaar. An unlinked PAN becomes inoperative, blocking ITR filing, refunds, and high-value transactions. Linking takes a few minutes if the details on both documents match.
If they don't match — even slightly — the link request will be rejected by UIDAI. Fix the mismatch first (on Aadhaar, via SSUP, or on PAN via the correction route) before trying again.
If you missed the free-linking window, the Income Tax Department will demand the prescribed late fee via Challan 280 before accepting your linking request.
Eligibility
- You hold both a valid PAN and a valid Aadhaar.
- The name, date of birth, and gender on PAN and Aadhaar match (or you've already fixed the mismatch on either side).
- You are eligible to link — most categories (NRIs, super-senior citizens, J&K, Assam, Meghalaya residents) are exempt under specific notifications. Check the exemption list before linking.
Required documents
PAN
RequiredIdentifies the PAN to be linked in the Income Tax Department's database.
10-character alphanumeric Permanent Account Number.
digitalAadhaar number
RequiredIdentifies the Aadhaar to link against your PAN — UIDAI validates the match.
12-digit Aadhaar.
digitalAadhaar-linked mobile
RequiredOTP authentication confirms you are the Aadhaar holder authorising the PAN-Aadhaar link.
Used to receive OTP during linking.
digital
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open the Income Tax e-Filing portal
Go to incometax.gov.in and look for 'Link Aadhaar' under Quick Links on the homepage.
incometax.gov.in ↗ - 2
Enter PAN and Aadhaar
Type your PAN and Aadhaar number. Tick the consent box.
- 3
Pay the late fee if applicable
If the deadline for free linking has passed, the portal will ask you to pay the prescribed late fee through Challan 280 before continuing. Pay first, wait for the challan to reflect (typically 4–5 working days), then come back.
- 4
Verify with Aadhaar OTP
Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile to confirm the link request.
- 5
Submit and confirm
Submit the request. The portal displays a confirmation that the request has been forwarded to UIDAI for validation.
- 6
Track the link status
Use the 'Link Aadhaar Status' quick link to see whether your PAN and Aadhaar are linked, pending validation, or rejected.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
incometax.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Income Tax Department, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
- Approving Officer
- Jurisdictional Assessing Officer
- For Offline Applications
- Not applicable — PAN-Aadhaar linking is online only
What happens after applying
- 1
Link request submitted
You enter your PAN and Aadhaar on the e-Filing portal, pay any applicable late fee, and submit the link request with OTP consent.
- 2
UIDAI validation
The Income Tax Department sends the request to UIDAI. UIDAI validates that the name, DOB, and gender match across both records.
- 3
Link confirmed or rejected
If validation passes, the PAN and Aadhaar are linked. If details mismatch, the request is rejected with a reason.
- 4
PAN status updated
Once linked, the PAN becomes 'operative' and is marked as Aadhaar-linked in the Income Tax database.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Trying to link without resolving a name or DOB mismatch
Why: UIDAI's validation checks that the name, DOB, and gender on both documents are identical. Even minor differences cause rejection.
Fix: Check the exact details on both PAN and Aadhaar first. Fix the mismatch — update PAN via Protean/UTIITSL or Aadhaar via UIDAI — before attempting to link.
Not waiting for the Challan 280 payment to reflect
Why: The e-Filing portal needs 4–5 working days to confirm the late fee payment before accepting the link request.
Fix: Pay via Challan 280, then wait 4–5 working days and check the portal — only then proceed with the linking steps.
Using an Aadhaar mobile that is deactivated
Why: The OTP goes to the Aadhaar-registered mobile. If that SIM is inactive, no OTP arrives and the request cannot be completed.
Fix: Reactivate the SIM or update your Aadhaar mobile at a UIDAI enrolment centre first.
Assuming the link is instant after OTP submission
Why: UIDAI validation takes time. The link request may show as 'pending validation' for several days.
Fix: Wait and check the Link Aadhaar Status on the e-Filing portal. Do not resubmit multiple times — duplicate requests cause confusion.
Assuming you're exempt from linking without verifying
Why: Exemptions apply to specific categories (NRIs, super-senior citizens, residents of J&K, Assam, Meghalaya) under specific CBDT notifications. Using an exemption incorrectly leaves your PAN inoperative.
Fix: Check the latest CBDT notification on incometax.gov.in before assuming you're exempt.
Special situations
PAN already linked to a different Aadhaar▾
Only one Aadhaar can be linked per PAN. If your PAN is already linked to another Aadhaar, you must contact the Income Tax helpdesk to resolve the conflict before re-linking.
Name on PAN has initials but Aadhaar has full name▾
UIDAI validation may reject the link due to name mismatch. Either update PAN to full name or request UIDAI to abbreviate — whichever aligns both records.
NRI whose PAN and Aadhaar are both valid▾
NRIs are generally exempt from mandatory linking under CBDT notifications. However, voluntary linking is allowed. Check the current exemption status before deciding.
PAN showing as 'inoperative' due to missed linking deadline▾
Pay the late fee, complete the linking, and the IT Department will reactivate the PAN. ITR filing and refund processing resume once reactivated.
Aadhaar biometrics locked — does it affect linking?▾
No. PAN-Aadhaar linking uses OTP-based (not biometric) authentication. Locked biometrics do not affect this process.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't link PAN and Aadhaar?▾
Unlinked PANs become 'inoperative' — you cannot file ITR, claim refunds, or carry out high-value transactions. TDS may also be deducted at a higher rate.
I'm an NRI / super-senior citizen. Do I need to link?▾
Several categories are exempt under specific CBDT notifications. Check the latest exemption list on the e-Filing portal before assuming you're exempt.
How long after paying the late fee should I wait before linking?▾
4–5 working days, until the challan reflects in the e-Filing portal against your PAN.
My link request is showing 'pending validation' — what do I do?▾
Wait. UIDAI takes a few days to validate. If it stays pending for more than a week, raise a grievance through the e-Filing portal grievance link.
Can I check PAN-Aadhaar link status without logging in?▾
Yes. Use the 'Link Aadhaar Status' option on incometax.gov.in Quick Links — it only requires your PAN and Aadhaar number, no login needed.
My PAN-Aadhaar link request was rejected. What do I do?▾
Check the rejection reason — usually name or DOB mismatch. Fix the discrepancy by correcting your PAN or Aadhaar details, then resubmit the link request.
Will my TDS change after linking?▾
Yes. Once linked, TDS rates revert to normal rates. An inoperative (unlinked) PAN attracts higher TDS under Sections 206AA and 206AB.
Can I link PAN-Aadhaar on the mobile app?▾
The linking process is available on the Income Tax mobile app as well. Download the official 'AIS for Taxpayer' or use the mobile browser to access the e-Filing portal.
How do I know if my PAN is inoperative?▾
Log in to incometax.gov.in and check your PAN status under 'My Profile' or use the 'Know Your PAN' feature. Inoperative PANs are flagged explicitly.
Does linking PAN and Aadhaar share my tax data with UIDAI?▾
The linking process validates identity matching between the two databases. UIDAI does not receive your tax filing history or financial data — only the demographic match is verified.
What is Challan 280 and where do I pay it?▾
Challan 280 is the Income Tax Department's payment instrument for direct tax payments, including the PAN-Aadhaar late linking fee. Pay on the NSDL TIN payment portal or through net banking.
My Aadhaar mobile is active but OTP is not coming. What do I do?▾
Try refreshing and resending the OTP. If it still doesn't arrive, check whether your Aadhaar mobile number is correctly registered by downloading an e-Aadhaar — the SMS goes to that number.
Can an NRI voluntarily link PAN with Aadhaar?▾
Yes. NRIs who hold both a PAN and an Aadhaar can voluntarily link them even if exempt from mandatory linking. There is no penalty for voluntary linking.
Is the PAN-Aadhaar link reversible?▾
Currently, the PAN-Aadhaar link cannot be unlinked once completed. Contact the Income Tax helpdesk if you linked to the wrong Aadhaar or need to change the linked Aadhaar.
I filed an ITR with an inoperative PAN. What happens to my refund?▾
Refunds are typically held for inoperative PANs. Link your PAN with Aadhaar to reactivate it, and then the refund process resumes after reactivation.
Official sources
- Income Tax e-Filing Portal — Link Aadhaar ↗
incometax.gov.in
Official portal to submit PAN-Aadhaar link request and check link status.
- Income Tax — Challan 280 (NSDL) ↗
onlineservices.tin.egov-nsdl.com
Pay the PAN-Aadhaar late linking fee via Challan 280.
- CBDT Notifications — PAN-Aadhaar Linking ↗
incometax.gov.in
Official guidance on PAN-Aadhaar linking, deadlines, and exemptions.
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.