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ePAN Download Guide: NSDL, UTIITSL & Income Tax Portal Methods

Quick Answer Summary

ePAN (electronic PAN) is a digitally signed PDF version of your PAN card, legally equivalent to physical PAN. Download from NSDL (tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan), UTIITSL (utiitsl.com), or Income Tax e-filing portal using PAN number + DOB. Available immediately after PAN allotment—no need to wait for physical card delivery. Free download, password-protected PDF, accepted everywhere physical PAN is accepted.

What You Need Before You Start

Prerequisites for ePAN Download

Required Information:

  • ✓ 10-digit PAN number (e.g., ABCDE1234F)
  • ✓ Date of birth or date of incorporation (DD-MM-YYYY)
  • ✓ 15-digit acknowledgement number (for recent applications)
  • ✓ Registered mobile number or email (for OTP verification)
  • ✓ PDF reader software to open downloaded file

ePAN Availability Conditions:

  • ✓ PAN must be allotted (not under process)
  • ✓ Application approved by Income Tax Department
  • ✓ Verification completed successfully
  • ✓ Available for new PAN and correction applications
  • ✓ Available within 2-3 days of application approval

✓ ePAN Legal Status:

ePAN is legally valid as per Income Tax Act and accepted by all government departments, banks, financial institutions, and organizations. It's digitally signed by NSDL/UTIITSL with QR code for verification. No need for physical PAN card.

Step-by-Step Process

Method 1: Download from NSDL Portal (Recommended)

  1. Visit NSDL ePAN portal: tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/form60.html
  2. Click "Download e-PAN Card" button or link
  3. Enter your 10-digit PAN number
  4. Enter Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY format) or Date of Incorporation
  5. Enter Captcha code displayed (case-sensitive)
  6. Click "Submit" button
  7. OTP sent to registered mobile number and email
  8. Enter 6-digit OTP within validity period (usually 10 minutes)
  9. Click "Download e-PAN" — PDF file downloads automatically
  10. Password for PDF: Your PAN number + DOB (ABCDE1234F01011990)

Free Service: No fee charged for ePAN download from NSDL portal. Unlimited downloads allowed.

Method 2: Download from UTIITSL Portal

  1. Visit UTIITSL ePAN portal: utiitsl.com/UTIITSL_SITE/#elink
  2. Select "Download e-PAN" option
  3. Enter PAN number (10 digits)
  4. Enter DOB or Date of Incorporation
  5. Enter Captcha verification code
  6. Click "Generate OTP" button
  7. OTP sent to registered mobile and email
  8. Enter OTP and click "Submit"
  9. ePAN PDF downloads — password is PAN+DOB format

Note: UTIITSL portal works only for PAN cards issued through UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Limited.

Method 3: Download from Income Tax E-Filing Portal

  1. Visit Income Tax e-filing portal: incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
  2. Login using PAN as User ID + password
  3. Go to "Profile Settings" or "My Profile" section
  4. Click "Download e-PAN Card" option
  5. Verify your registered mobile number and email
  6. Click "Download" button
  7. OTP verification may be required
  8. ePAN PDF downloads with password protection

Requirement: This method requires registered account on Income Tax e-filing portal. If not registered, use NSDL/UTIITSL portals instead.

Method 4: Download Using Acknowledgement Number (New Applications)

  1. Visit NSDL status portal: tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html
  2. Enter 15-digit Acknowledgement Number
  3. Select Application Type (New PAN or Correction)
  4. Enter Captcha code
  5. Click "Submit" — status page shows PAN number if allotted
  6. Click "Download e-PAN" link if available
  7. Follow OTP verification process
  8. Download ePAN PDF with password

Documents & Proof Rules

No Physical Documents Required

ePAN download is a purely digital process. You do NOT need to submit any physical documents, certificates, or proof for downloading. Only PAN number and date of birth verification is required.

ePAN PDF Contains:

  • • Your photograph (as submitted in PAN application)
  • • PAN number with QR code
  • • Full name as per PAN database
  • • Father's name
  • • Date of birth or date of incorporation
  • • Digital signature of NSDL/UTIITSL
  • • Issue date and validity statement

How to Open Password-Protected ePAN PDF

Step 1: Download ePAN PDF to your device

Step 2: Open with PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat, browser, etc.)

Step 3: When prompted for password, enter:

[10-digit PAN][8-digit DOB]

Example:

  • • PAN: ABCDE1234F
  • • DOB: 01-01-1990
  • • Password: ABCDE1234F01011990

Important: Password is case-sensitive. Use UPPERCASE letters for PAN. Date format must be DDMMYYYY (no hyphens or slashes).

Common Problems & Fixes

OTP not received on mobile or email

OTP is sent to mobile number and email registered with PAN application. If not receiving, check spam folder, verify mobile number is active, and ensure stable internet connection.

What to do:

  • • Wait 2-3 minutes — OTP delivery can be delayed
  • • Check SMS spam/junk folder
  • • Check email spam/promotions folder
  • • Click "Resend OTP" after 5 minutes
  • • Try alternate download method (UTIITSL if used NSDL)
  • • Update mobile/email in PAN records if permanently changed
Complete OTP troubleshooting guide →

Error: "PAN not found" or "Invalid PAN"

This error appears when: PAN number entered incorrectly, PAN is very new (not synced in database yet), or PAN application still under process (not allotted yet).

What to do:

  • • Verify PAN number exactly (check PAN card or acknowledgement)
  • • Wait 24-48 hours if PAN was allotted very recently
  • • Check PAN status on NSDL/UTIITSL portal first
  • • Ensure PAN is active (not surrendered or inoperative)
  • • Try alternate portal if one doesn't work

PDF password not working or "Incorrect password" error

Password format must be exact: 10-digit PAN (UPPERCASE) followed by 8-digit DOB (DDMMYYYY format, no spaces or symbols).

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • • Using lowercase letters in PAN (must be UPPERCASE)
  • • Adding hyphens in DOB (01-01-1990 ❌ → 01011990 ✓)
  • • Adding spaces between PAN and DOB
  • • Wrong DOB format (DDMMYYYY only, not DD-MM-YYYY)
  • • Typing DOB in MMDDYYYY or YYYYMMDD format

Download link not working or file not downloading

Browser compatibility issues or popup blockers may prevent download. Try different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), disable popup blockers, clear browser cache, or download from mobile device. If issue persists across methods, wait 24 hours and try again.

Lost acknowledgement number — cannot download ePAN

You don't need acknowledgement number if you know your PAN. Use Method 1 (NSDL direct download) with PAN + DOB. Acknowledgement number only needed for very recent applications where PAN not yet memorized.

If you don't know PAN and lost acknowledgement: Check registered email inbox/spam for application receipt, or contact NSDL/UTIITSL helpline with full name + DOB + mobile number for recovery.

Status, Tracking & What It Means

When is ePAN Available for Download?

For New PAN Applications

Available 2-3 working days after application approval and PAN number allotment. Check PAN status first — once status shows "PAN Allotted" or "Approved", ePAN is downloadable.

For PAN Correction Applications

Updated ePAN available within 2-3 days after correction approval. Old ePAN remains valid until new one is issued. PAN number doesn't change during corrections.

For Existing PANs (Issued Before 2017)

If your PAN was issued before ePAN system launch, you can still download ePAN using PAN number + DOB from NSDL/UTIITSL portals. ePAN will be generated on-demand with digitally signed format.

ePAN Advantages

  • ✓ Instant availability after PAN allotment
  • ✓ No waiting for physical card delivery (15-25 days saved)
  • ✓ Legally equivalent to physical PAN card
  • ✓ Can be downloaded unlimited times (free)
  • ✓ Cannot be lost or damaged (digital file)
  • ✓ Digitally signed with QR code verification
  • ✓ Accepted by all banks, institutions, government departments
  • ✓ No physical storage required

ePAN Verification & Security

  • ✓ QR code contains encrypted PAN details
  • ✓ Digital signature verifies authenticity
  • ✓ Can be verified on Income Tax portal
  • ✓ Password-protected PDF for security
  • ✓ Tamper-evident digital watermark
  • ✓ Cannot be edited or modified
  • ✓ Each download has unique security features

FAQs

Is ePAN legally valid everywhere physical PAN is accepted?

Yes. ePAN is legally equivalent to physical PAN card as per Income Tax Department notifications. It's accepted by all government departments, banks, financial institutions, employers, and organizations for KYC, tax filing, financial transactions, and identity verification. No need to explain or justify ePAN usage — it has same legal status as physical card.

Can I download ePAN if I already have physical PAN card?

Yes. You can download ePAN even if you have physical card. Both are valid simultaneously. Many people prefer ePAN for digital transactions, online applications, and as backup. Download is free and unlimited — you can download multiple times without restrictions. Useful when physical card is misplaced or damaged.

How many times can I download ePAN?

Unlimited. There is no restriction on number of ePAN downloads. You can download as many times as needed from NSDL, UTIITSL, or Income Tax portal without any fee. Each download generates same ePAN content but may have different download timestamps. All downloads are equally valid.

What if I forget the password to open ePAN PDF?

ePAN PDF password is standardized: Your 10-digit PAN number (UPPERCASE) + 8-digit date of birth in DDMMYYYY format. Example: ABCDE1234F01011990. If you know your PAN and DOB, you can always recreate the password. There's no password reset option because password is derived from your PAN details, not randomly generated. If still unable to open, download fresh copy.

Can I print ePAN and use as physical PAN card?

Yes. You can print ePAN PDF on regular paper and use it as physical PAN card. Printed ePAN is equally valid as laminated physical card issued by post. Many people print ePAN for physical submission requirements. Use good quality color printer for clear photograph and QR code. No lamination or special paper required — plain printout is legally acceptable.

Why is my ePAN showing old details even after correction?

After PAN correction approval, system takes 2-3 working days to generate updated ePAN. If downloading immediately after correction, you might get old version. Wait 48-72 hours after correction approval, then download fresh ePAN — it will reflect updated details. Clear browser cache before downloading to avoid cached old version.

Can NRIs download ePAN from outside India?

Yes. NRIs can download ePAN from anywhere in the world using NSDL/UTIITSL portals or Income Tax e-filing portal. All portals are globally accessible. OTP verification works with international mobile numbers if registered with PAN. If OTP issues, use email verification option or download through Income Tax portal login.

Is there any fee for downloading ePAN?

No. ePAN download is completely FREE from NSDL, UTIITSL, and Income Tax e-filing portals. There is no charge for any number of downloads. Beware of third-party websites charging fees — they are unauthorized. Always use official portals: tin.tin.nsdl.com, utiitsl.com, or incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in for free ePAN download.

Related Guides

ePAN OTP Not Received — Fix Guide

Troubleshoot OTP delivery issues and verification problems

Check PAN Application Status

Track when your PAN is allotted and ePAN becomes available

Apply for New PAN Card

Complete application guide with ePAN availability timeline

PAN Correction Guide

Update PAN details and download corrected ePAN

Physical PAN Not Received

Download ePAN as alternative to waiting for postal delivery

PAN Aadhaar Linking Guide

Link PAN with Aadhaar using ePAN details

Information Accuracy: This guide is based on NSDL, UTIITSL, and Income Tax Department ePAN download procedures as of February 2026. ePAN format, password rules, and portal interfaces are subject to change based on system updates and security enhancements.

Disclaimer: This is an independent informational resource providing guidance on ePAN download process. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to NSDL, UTIITSL, or Income Tax Department. For official ePAN services, always use government portals directly.