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PAN Card Application Guide: Steps, Requirements & Common Problems

Quick Answer Summary

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is issued by Income Tax Department through NSDL and UTIITSL portals. Indian citizens use Form 49A, foreign nationals use Form 49AA. Processing takes 15-20 days. ePAN is issued instantly after verification. Fee: ₹110 for physical card, free for ePAN through IT portal.

What You Need Before You Start

Eligibility Check

Form 49A (Indian Citizens)

  • ✓ Indian citizens
  • ✓ Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
  • ✓ Indian companies and firms
  • ✓ Any age (including minors)

Form 49AA (Foreign Nationals)

  • ✓ Foreign citizens in India
  • ✓ NRIs (Non-Resident Indians)
  • ✓ Foreign companies in India
  • ✓ International organizations

⚠️ Before Applying:

  • Check if you already have PAN by verifying on Income Tax e-filing portal
  • Ensure Aadhaar card details are correct (name, DOB, address)
  • Keep mobile number and email ID ready (OTP verification required)
  • Have scanned documents ready: photo, signature, ID proof, address proof, DOB proof

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Choose Application Method

Two official portals are authorized for PAN application:

NSDL e-Gov Portal

incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in — Instant ePAN option available

UTIITSL Portal

utiitsl.com — Physical PAN card delivery service

Step 2: Select Correct Form

Step 3: Fill Application Form Accurately

Required information (must match supporting documents exactly):

  • • Full name (follow name format rules)
  • • Date of birth (DD-MM-YYYY format)
  • • Complete address with pincode
  • • Mobile number (for OTP verification)
  • • Email address (acknowledgement receipt)
  • • Aadhaar number (mandatory for Indian citizens)
  • • Father's name (mandatory field)
  • • AO Code (Area Office Code guide)

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

Document specifications (strictly enforced):

  • • Photograph: JPEG, less than 50KB, passport size, white background
  • • Signature: JPEG/PDF, less than 50KB, black ink on white paper
  • • Identity Proof: PDF, less than 1MB, clear and complete
  • • Address Proof: PDF, less than 1MB (if different from identity proof)
  • • Date of Birth Proof: PDF, less than 1MB (if different from identity proof)
View complete acceptable documents list

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

Physical PAN Card (by post): ₹110 (₹93 + 18% GST)

Digital ePAN (instant download): Free on Income Tax portal

Payment methods: Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI

Step 6: Submit and Save Acknowledgement Number

After successful submission:

  • • You'll receive 15-digit Acknowledgement Number (format: 123456789012345)
  • • Save this number immediately — required for status tracking
  • • Acknowledgement receipt will be emailed to registered email ID
  • • For ePAN: OTP will be sent to registered mobile for download

Documents & Proof Rules

Proof of Identity (Any One)

  • ✓ Aadhaar Card
  • ✓ Voter ID Card
  • ✓ Driving License
  • ✓ Passport
  • ✓ Ration Card (with photograph)
  • ✓ Arms License
  • ✓ Photo ID issued by Government
  • ✓ Pensioner Card with photograph

Proof of Address (Any One)

  • ✓ Aadhaar Card
  • ✓ Voter ID Card
  • ✓ Driving License
  • ✓ Passport
  • ✓ Bank Statement (not older than 3 months)
  • ✓ Electricity Bill (not older than 3 months)
  • ✓ Telephone Bill (not older than 3 months)
  • ✓ Ration Card
  • ✓ Property Registration Document
  • ✓ Employer Certificate

Proof of Date of Birth (Any One)

  • ✓ Birth Certificate
  • ✓ Passport
  • ✓ Aadhaar Card
  • ✓ Driving License
  • ✓ 10th/12th Mark Sheet or Certificate
  • ✓ Marriage Certificate (if DOB mentioned)
  • ✓ Voter ID Card (if DOB mentioned)
  • ✓ Pension Payment Order

💡 Pro Tip:

Aadhaar Card can serve as proof for all three categories (Identity, Address, and Date of Birth) simultaneously, simplifying the application process significantly.

Common Problems & Fixes

Name mismatch with Aadhaar card

Enter name exactly as per Aadhaar card to avoid linking issues. Even initials, spacing, and punctuation must match.

Fix name mismatch issues →

Invalid photograph or signature rejection

Use white background, proper lighting, and black ink signature on white paper. Ensure file size is within limits.

Why applications get rejected →

Incorrect document upload or file size issues

Ensure documents are clear, complete, within size limits (1MB max), and in correct format (PDF/JPEG as specified).

Wrong AO Code selection

Select Area Office code based on your residential address jurisdiction. System usually auto-suggests correct code.

Understand AO Codes →

Duplicate PAN application

Verify if you already have PAN before applying. Duplicate PAN is illegal and can lead to penalties.

Status, Tracking & What It Means

Processing Timeline

ePAN (Digital)

  • Application to verification: 2-3 working days
  • Download available: Instant after verification
  • Validity: Same as physical PAN (lifetime)
  • Cost: Free on Income Tax portal

Physical PAN Card

  • Processing: 10-15 working days
  • Printing: 2-3 working days
  • Delivery via Speed Post: 3-7 days
  • Total: 15-25 working days

Track Your Application:

Use your 15-digit acknowledgement number to check status on NSDL/UTIITSL portal.

Complete status tracking guide →

FAQs

Can I apply for PAN without Aadhaar?

No. As per Income Tax rules effective from 2017, Aadhaar is mandatory for PAN application for Indian citizens. Foreign nationals can use passport number instead of Aadhaar.

Can minors apply for PAN card?

Yes. Minors can get PAN card. Parent or legal guardian must submit the application on behalf of the minor. Birth certificate is required as mandatory date of birth proof. Guardian's details must be provided in the application.

What if I already have Aadhaar-linked PAN?

Check if you already have PAN by visiting the Income Tax e-filing portal and verifying with your Aadhaar number. If PAN already exists and is linked to Aadhaar, you cannot apply for a new one. Download ePAN from the portal instead. Applying for duplicate PAN is illegal under Income Tax Act.

Is PAN card valid for lifetime?

Yes. PAN card has no expiry date and remains valid for lifetime once issued. However, you must keep personal details updated (address, contact information) and link it with Aadhaar to keep it operative.

Can I apply for both physical PAN and ePAN?

Yes. You can apply for physical PAN through NSDL/UTIITSL portals and separately download ePAN from Income Tax e-filing portal. Both will have the same PAN number. ePAN is legally equivalent to physical PAN card.

What happens if my application is rejected?

Application can be rejected due to invalid documents, name mismatch with Aadhaar, duplicate application attempt, or incomplete information. Check the rejection reason in the status portal. Correct the identified issue and reapply with proper documentation.Read detailed rejection fix guide →

How long does PAN application take?

ePAN is available for download within 2-3 working days after verification. Physical PAN card delivery takes 15-25 working days total, including processing (10-15 days), printing (2-3 days), and Speed Post delivery (3-7 days). Track status using acknowledgement number.

What is acknowledgement number and PAN number difference?

Acknowledgement number is a 15-digit number (e.g., 123456789012345) received immediately after application submission, used for tracking status. PAN number is the permanent 10-character alphanumeric ID (e.g., ABCDE1234F) assigned after approval, which remains same for lifetime.

Related Guides

PAN Application Rejected — Causes & Fixes

Common rejection reasons and step-by-step resolution

PAN Aadhaar Linking Guide

Link PAN with Aadhaar card after application

PAN Status Tracking Guide

Check application status and understand status meanings

ePAN Download Guide

Get digital PAN instantly from NSDL and UTIITSL

Form 49A Explained

Field-by-field guide for Indian citizens

Form 49AA Explained

Field-by-field guide for foreign nationals

PAN Name Format Rules & Examples

Correct name formatting to avoid rejections

Acceptable PAN Documents Guide

Complete list of valid proof documents

Information Accuracy: This guide is based on Income Tax Department regulations and NSDL/UTIITSL procedures as of February 2026. PAN application rules and processes are subject to change. Always verify current procedures on official government portals before applying.

Disclaimer: This is an independent informational resource providing guidance on PAN card processes. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Income Tax Department, NSDL, UTIITSL, or any government agency. We do not provide application services or facilitate PAN applications.

Last updated: 2026-02-25