PAN Aadhaar Linking Failed — Causes, Fixes & What to Do Next
Quick Answer
PAN-Aadhaar linking fails due to name mismatch (41%), DOB mismatch (23%), invalid/deactivated Aadhaar (18%), OTP delivery issues (12%), or system errors (6%). Check exact failure reason in error message. Most common fix: verify names match exactly across both documents - even single letter difference causes failure. Update incorrect document first (Aadhaar name update takes 15 days, PAN correction takes 20 days), then retry linking. Use incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal for linking and status verification.
Why This Happens
Name Mismatch (41% of failures)
- Spelling differences: Kumar vs Kumarr, Mohan vs Mohann, even single letter variation
- Initial vs full name: R Kumar in PAN, Ravi Kumar in Aadhaar
- Surname order: Sharma Ravi vs Ravi Sharma
- Space inconsistencies: Rajkumar vs Raj Kumar
- Father's name mismatch: Different spelling or format in father's name field
Date of Birth Mismatch (23% of failures)
- Different DOB in PAN vs Aadhaar: Even single day difference causes linking failure
- Year of Birth difference: Common in cases where exact DOB unknown (older citizens)
- Format confusion: DD-MM-YYYY vs MM-DD-YYYY causing perceived mismatch
- Typographical errors: Incorrect DOB entered during PAN or Aadhaar registration
Fix: Correct DOB in the document with error. Birth certificate required as proof for DOB correction.
Invalid or Deactivated Aadhaar (18% of failures)
- Aadhaar suspended/deactivated: Due to non-use, duplicate detection, or incomplete biometric update
- Enrolment ID instead of Aadhaar: Trying to link with enrollment number before Aadhaar generation
- Incorrect Aadhaar number: Typo in 12-digit Aadhaar number during linking attempt
- Mobile not registered: Aadhaar mobile number not updated, OTP cannot be sent
Check status: Verify Aadhaar status at resident.uidai.gov.in before attempting linking.
OTP Not Received (12% of failures)
- Mobile number not linked to Aadhaar: OTP sent to unregistered number
- Network delays: SMS delivery delayed beyond OTP expiry time (10 minutes)
- DND/spam filters: OTP blocked by telecom operator or phone settings
- Incorrect mobile number: Wrong number registered in Aadhaar database
Update mobile: Visit Aadhaar center or use online mobile update at uidai.gov.in
System & Technical Errors (6% of failures)
- Portal downtime: Income Tax or UIDAI servers under maintenance or experiencing high traffic
- Database sync issues: Recent Aadhaar/PAN update not reflected in linking database
- Session timeout: OTP entry delayed beyond validity period
- Browser/app issues: Cache conflicts, outdated browser, or app version problems
Solution: Retry after 24-48 hours, clear browser cache, use different browser or device.
Step-by-Step Fix
Complete Troubleshooting Process
Identify Exact Failure Reason
Error message on linking portal indicates specific issue: "Name mismatch", "Invalid Aadhaar", "DOB does not match", "OTP validation failed", etc. Screenshot error message for reference.
Check linking status: incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal → Verify Link → Enter PAN to see if partially linked, linking failed, or never attempted.
Compare PAN and Aadhaar Details Exactly
Download both documents: PAN from e-filing portal, Aadhaar from resident.uidai.gov.in
Verify fields: Name (first/middle/last), father's name, DOB, gender - all must match exactly across both documents
Check spellings character by character: Even single space, letter, or punctuation difference causes failure
Note any discrepancy: Write down exact difference found (e.g., "PAN has Kumar, Aadhaar has Kumarr")
Fix Name/DOB Mismatch (If Found)
For name differences: Update incorrect document to match correct one. Aadhaar update: resident.uidai.gov.in (15-30 days). PAN correction: tin.nsdl.com or utiitsl.com (20-30 days). Supporting documents required.
For DOB mismatch: Correct DOB in wrong document using birth certificate as proof. Cannot proceed with linking until DOB matches exactly.
Wait for update completion: Do not attempt linking until updated document received and verified in system database.
Verify Aadhaar Status and Mobile Registration
Check Aadhaar status: Download e-Aadhaar at resident.uidai.gov.in/eaadhaar. If unable to download, Aadhaar may be suspended/deactivated - contact UIDAI helpline 1947.
Verify registered mobile: Check which mobile is linked to Aadhaar. If incorrect or not registered, update mobile at Aadhaar center or online (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in).
Test OTP delivery: Request OTP for any Aadhaar service to confirm mobile receives UIDAI messages. If blocked, check DND settings and whitelist UIDAI sender ID.
Retry Linking with Correct Details
Use official portal: incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal → Link Aadhaar section
Enter details carefully: PAN (10 characters, exact case), Aadhaar (12 digits, no spaces), Name (as per Aadhaar, exact spelling)
Request OTP: Sent to Aadhaar-registered mobile. Valid for 10 minutes. Check spam if not received in 2-3 minutes.
Submit and verify: After OTP submission, check linking status immediately using "Verify Link" option on same portal.
Alternative Linking Methods (If Portal Fails)
SMS method: Send SMS "UIDPAN<12-digit Aadhaar><10-digit PAN>" to 567678 or 56161
Income Tax Return filing: Link automatically when filing ITR - enter Aadhaar in ITR form
Offline linking: Visit income tax office with PAN card and Aadhaar card for manual linking
If It Still Doesn't Work
Escalation Path for Persistent Linking Failure
1. Wait 48 Hours for Database Synchronization
Recent Aadhaar or PAN updates may take 24-48 hours to reflect in linking database. If updated document received, wait before retrying. Check e-Aadhaar and e-filing profile to confirm updates visible in system.
2. Call Income Tax Helpline
1800-180-1961 (toll-free) for linking issues. Have PAN and Aadhaar numbers ready. Ask for specific reason code if linking fails. Request manual verification if all details match but system rejects linking.
3. File Grievance at E-Filing Portal
Log into incometax.gov.in → e-filing → My Account → Grievance. Select "PAN-Aadhaar linking" category. Attach screenshots of error, copies of PAN and Aadhaar. Response within 7 working days.
4. Visit Income Tax Office
For unresolved cases: visit jurisdictional income tax office with physical PAN and Aadhaar cards. Request manual linking verification. Officer can check system logs and identify technical issues not visible in portal.
5. UIDAI Verification (For Aadhaar Issues)
If problem is Aadhaar-side (invalid status, mobile issues): visit Aadhaar enrollment center for biometric verification and status check. Update mobile number in person if online update fails. Reactivate suspended Aadhaar if needed.
Common Mistakes
Not checking exact spelling differences
Many assume names "look similar enough" without character-by-character comparison. System requires perfect match. Download both documents and compare spellings exactly before attempting linking again.
Attempting linking before update completion
After submitting name/DOB correction, users immediately try linking. Wait for updated document and verify change reflected in database. Premature linking attempts waste time and create unnecessary frustration.
Using enrollment number instead of Aadhaar number
28-digit enrollment ID is not Aadhaar number. Download e-Aadhaar to get actual 12-digit Aadhaar number. Linking with enrollment number always fails. Wait for Aadhaar generation if recently enrolled.
Not checking Aadhaar status before linking
Inactive or suspended Aadhaar cannot be linked. First verify Aadhaar validity by downloading e-Aadhaar. If unable to download, contact UIDAI to resolve Aadhaar status issues before attempting PAN linking.
Ignoring OTP delivery issues
If OTP not received, update mobile number in Aadhaar before retrying. Check DND settings, ensure number active, whitelist UIDAI sender. Don't keep requesting OTPs to same non-receiving number - fix root cause first.
FAQs
How many times can I retry PAN-Aadhaar linking if it fails?
Unlimited retry attempts allowed. However, fix underlying issue before retrying to avoid wasting time. If same error repeats after 2-3 attempts, resolve root cause (name correction, DOB update, mobile registration) instead of continuing to retry. System doesn't penalize multiple attempts, but repeated failures indicate unresolved mismatch.
Can I link PAN with Aadhaar if mobile number not registered?
No. Mobile number must be registered in Aadhaar for OTP-based verification. Visit Aadhaar enrollment center with Aadhaar card and mobile to register number. Online mobile registration also available at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in if you have registered email. Without mobile, offline linking at income tax office may be possible.
What if my Aadhaar shows as invalid during linking?
"Invalid Aadhaar" means number doesn't exist in UIDAI database, or Aadhaar is suspended/deactivated. First verify Aadhaar number correct (check e-Aadhaar download). If number correct but still invalid, visit Aadhaar center for status verification. May need biometric authentication or document resubmission to reactivate.
How long after PAN correction can I attempt linking?
Wait 48 hours after receiving updated PAN card or e-PAN download. Database synchronization takes 24-48 hours. Verify correction complete by checking name in e-filing profile (incometax.gov.in). If updated name shows there, linking should succeed. Attempting before database update causes unnecessary failure.
Can I link PAN-Aadhaar through chartered accountant or agent?
Yes, but they need your PAN, Aadhaar number, and access to OTP (your registered mobile). Better to do yourself - simple process at incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal. If delegating, ensure trusted person and never share OTP via third-party websites. Official portal only requires these three inputs.
What happens if linking fails and deadline passes?
Unlinked PAN becomes inoperative (deactivated) post-deadline. Cannot be used for financial transactions, ITR filing, or official purposes. However, linking still possible after deadline to reactivate PAN. Fix mismatches, complete linking, and PAN reactivates within 7 days. Penalty may apply for late linking.
Why does linking show success but verification shows not linked?
Linking submission success doesn't mean linking completed. Takes 1-2 hours for verification. Check status after 2-3 hours using "Verify Link" option at incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal. If still not linked after 24 hours, submission may have failed backend validation - retry linking with correct details.
Can I link if Aadhaar has different address than PAN?
Yes. Address difference doesn't prevent linking - only name, father's name, DOB, and gender must match. PAN and Aadhaar can have different addresses without issue. However, keeping address consistent across documents recommended for smoother government processes and correspondence.
What if my father's name differs slightly in PAN and Aadhaar?
Father's name mismatch also causes linking failure. Correct father's name in PAN or Aadhaar (whichever is wrong) along with your name if both differ. Submit correction for both fields together. Linking succeeds only when both your name and father's name match exactly across documents.
How do I check if linking failed due to system error or my mistake?
Error message indicates reason. "Name/DOB mismatch" = your document error. "System unavailable", "Server error", "Try after sometime" = system issue. For system errors, retry after few hours. For mismatch errors, fix documents before retry. Call income tax helpline if error message unclear or doesn't match your situation.
Related Fixes & Guides
PAN Name Mismatch Fix
Resolve name spelling differences causing linking failure
PAN-Aadhaar Linking Guide
Complete step-by-step linking process
PAN Correction Guide
Update PAN details to match Aadhaar
PAN Inactive — Recovery Guide
Reactivate PAN after failed linking causes deactivation
Check PAN Status
Verify linking status and track updates
PAN Name Format Rules
Correct name formatting for applications
Information Accuracy: This guide is based on Income Tax Department and UIDAI PAN-Aadhaar linking procedures as of February 2026. Linking requirements, validation rules, and error handling processes are subject to updates based on regulatory changes.
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational resource providing guidance on PAN-Aadhaar linking troubleshooting. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to UIDAI, Income Tax Department, or any government agency. For official linking status, visit incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal.