PAN Card Status Tracking Guide: Check Application & Delivery Status
Quick Answer Summary
Track PAN application status using 15-digit acknowledgement number on NSDL/UTIITSL portals. Status shows verification progress, printing, and dispatch stages. Physical PAN takes 15-25 days total. ePAN is available for instant download after verification. If status shows "under process" beyond 20 days or "dispatched" but not received after 10 days, follow the troubleshooting steps in this guide.
What You Need Before You Start
Prerequisites for Status Tracking
Required Information:
- ✓ 15-digit acknowledgement number (starts with date format)
- ✓ Date of birth or date of incorporation
- ✓ Application type (new PAN or correction)
- ✓ Portal used (NSDL or UTIITSL)
Where to Find Acknowledgement Number:
- ✓ Email confirmation after application submission
- ✓ SMS sent to registered mobile number
- ✓ Printed receipt if applied offline
- ✓ Application form copy (if saved)
⚠️ Lost Acknowledgement Number?
Check your registered email inbox and spam folder. If not found, contact NSDL/UTIITSL helpline with your PAN (if correction) or full name + DOB + mobile number (if new application). Recovery may take 2-3 working days.
Step-by-Step Process
Method 1: NSDL Portal Status Check
- Visit NSDL status portal: tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html
- Select "Application Type" from dropdown (New PAN - Indian Citizen or Changes/Correction in existing PAN)
- Enter 15-digit Acknowledgement Number exactly as received
- Enter Captcha code displayed (case-sensitive)
- Click "Submit" button
- View current status with timestamp and next action required
Status Updates: NSDL portal updates status in real-time as application progresses through verification, printing, and dispatch stages.
Method 2: UTIITSL Portal Status Check
- Visit UTIITSL tracking portal: utiitsl.com/UTIITSL_SITE/track
- Enter Application Coupon Number (15 digits)
- Select application category if prompted
- Enter Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY format) or Date of Incorporation
- Click "Submit" or "Track Status"
- View detailed status timeline with processing stages
Pro Tip: UTIITSL shows more detailed timeline with intermediate processing stages compared to NSDL portal.
Method 3: Income Tax Portal Status Check (After PAN Allotment)
- Visit Income Tax e-filing portal: incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
- Click "Verify Your PAN" in Quick Links section
- Enter your 10-digit PAN number
- Enter full name as per application
- Enter date of birth
- System shows PAN allotment status and verification result
Note: This method only works after PAN number has been allotted. Use NSDL/UTIITSL portals for tracking during processing.
Documents & Proof Rules
Status Tracking Doesn't Require Documents
Checking PAN application status is a query-only process. You do NOT need to submit any documents, certificates, or proof. Only acknowledgement number and basic details are required.
What You'll See in Status Portal:
- • Current processing stage (received, under process, approved, printed, dispatched)
- • Date stamps for each stage completion
- • Reason for rejection (if application rejected)
- • PAN number (once allotted)
- • Speed Post tracking number (when dispatched)
- • Expected delivery timeline
Common Problems & Fixes
Status showing "Under Process" for more than 20 days
Normal processing: 7-15 days. Beyond 20 days indicates possible verification delay, document quality issues, or system backlog during peak application periods.
What to do:
- • Wait until 25 working days before raising grievance
- • Check email/SMS for any document requests
- • Contact NSDL/UTIITSL helpline for status inquiry
- • Verify no duplicate PAN application exists
Status shows "Dispatched" but PAN not received after 10 days
Physical PAN is sent via India Post Speed Post. Delivery delays possible in remote locations or due to incorrect address. Average delivery: 3-7 working days after dispatch.
What to do:
- • Track Speed Post consignment using tracking number (if provided in status)
- • Visit local post office with tracking number and acknowledgement
- • Download ePAN as temporary alternative (legally equivalent)
- • Request reprint after 15 days of non-delivery
Invalid acknowledgement number error
Error occurs when: acknowledgement number entered incorrectly, wrong portal used (NSDL vs UTIITSL), or application type mismatch selected.
What to do:
- • Verify acknowledgement number exactly matches email/SMS (15 digits)
- • Try alternate portal (NSDL if used UTIITSL, or vice versa)
- • Ensure correct application type selected (new vs correction)
- • Wait 24 hours if application just submitted (system sync delay)
Status shows "Application Rejected"
Rejection reasons: invalid documents, poor quality photo/signature, name mismatch, duplicate PAN, incomplete information, or Aadhaar verification failure.
What to do:
- • Check exact rejection reason in status portal (usually displayed)
- • Correct the specific issue mentioned
- • Reapply with corrected documents (no refund for rejected applications)
- • Contact helpline if rejection reason unclear
Portal shows "No record found" or "Data not available"
Possible causes: Application very recent (sync delay up to 24 hours), wrong acknowledgement number, or application processed under different portal. Try alternate portal and wait 24-48 hours if just applied.
Status, Tracking & What It Means
"Application Received" / "Document Upload Successful"
Meaning: Your application has been successfully submitted to NSDL/UTIITSL and is queued for processing.
Duration: 1-2 working days (acknowledgement generation stage)
What's happening: Application data is being registered in the system. No action required. Acknowledgement number generated and sent via email/SMS.
"Under Process" / "Application Under Verification"
Meaning: Application is being verified by Income Tax Department. Documents, photo, signature, and details are being checked for completeness and authenticity.
Duration: 7-15 working days (majority of processing time)
What's happening: Verification of identity proof, address proof, DOB proof, photo quality, signature clarity, and cross-checking with existing PAN database. If issues found, rejection reason will be updated.
"Application Approved" / "PAN Allotted"
Meaning: Application verified successfully. PAN number has been generated and allotted to you.
Duration: Day 10-12 typically
What to do: Note your PAN number displayed in status. You can now download ePAN immediately (no need to wait for physical card). PAN is active and can be used for all transactions.
Download ePAN now →"PAN Card Printed" / "Printing in Progress"
Meaning: Physical PAN card has been printed with your details and photograph.
Duration: 2-3 working days after approval
What's happening: Card printing at centralized facility, quality check, lamination, and preparation for dispatch envelope. Card will move to "Dispatched" status once handed to India Post.
"Dispatched" / "Dispatched to Applicant"
Meaning: Physical PAN card has been dispatched via India Post Speed Post to your registered address.
Delivery time: 3-7 working days depending on location (metro: 3-4 days, tier-2/3 cities: 5-7 days, remote: 7-10 days)
What to do: Track Speed Post consignment if tracking number provided in status. Check mailbox daily. If not received in 10 days, contact local post office or request reprint.
Note: "Dispatched" means card has left the facility. Actual delivery depends on postal service efficiency and address accessibility.
"Application Rejected" / "Verification Failed"
Meaning: Application has been rejected due to incorrect/insufficient documents, duplicate PAN, or verification failure. No PAN will be issued for this application.
Common reasons: Invalid documents, poor quality photo/signature, name mismatch with Aadhaar, duplicate PAN detected, incomplete form, Aadhaar verification failure.
What to do: Check exact rejection reason in status portal. Correct the issue and submit fresh application. No refund for rejected applications. Fee must be paid again for reapplication.
Complete rejection fix guide with all reasons →PAN Card Delivery Timeline (Typical)
Application Submission
Day 0 — Acknowledgement number generated immediately
Document Verification & Processing
Days 1-10 — Application under process, documents verified
Approval & PAN Allotment
Day 10-12 — PAN number assigned, ePAN available for download
Physical Card Printing
Days 13-15 — Card printed, quality checked, prepared for dispatch
Dispatch via Speed Post
Day 15-17 — Card handed to India Post for delivery
Delivered to Applicant
Days 18-25 — Physical PAN card received at registered address
ePAN (Digital PAN Card)
- Processing: 2-3 working days (until PAN allotted)
- Download: Instant after PAN approval
- Delivery: Electronic PDF (no physical delivery)
- Validity: Legally equivalent to physical PAN
- Usage: Accepted everywhere physical PAN is accepted
Physical PAN Card
- Total time: 15-25 working days (application to delivery)
- Delivery mode: India Post Speed Post (registered post)
- Tracking: Available via Speed Post consignment number
- Delays: Possible in remote/rural locations or during peak seasons
- Reprint: ₹50 fee if lost or damaged
FAQs
Can I track PAN status without acknowledgement number?
No. Acknowledgement number is mandatory for status tracking on NSDL/UTIITSL portals. If lost, check your registered email inbox and spam folder for application receipt. If not found, contact NSDL/UTIITSL helpline with your PAN (for correction) or full name + DOB + mobile number (for new application). Recovery may take 2-3 working days.
How often is PAN status updated on the portal?
Status is updated at each major processing stage: received → under process → approved → printed → dispatched. Updates are not real-time; check every 3-4 days for changes. Status typically updates within 24-48 hours of each stage completion. Minute-by-minute tracking is not available.
Can I expedite or fast-track PAN card delivery?
No official fast-track or expedited processing option exists for PAN applications. All applications follow standard processing timeline (15-25 days). However, you can download ePAN immediately after PAN is allotted (day 10-12) for instant access without waiting for physical card. ePAN is legally equivalent and accepted everywhere.
What if status shows "Approved" but physical card not received?
Download ePAN immediately from Income Tax portal — it's available as soon as status shows "Approved" or "PAN Allotted". For physical card: wait 25 working days total from application date. If not received, track Speed Post consignment, contact local post office, or request reprint through NSDL/UTIITSL portal (₹50 fee).
Does PAN card delivery include tracking number?
Some applications display Speed Post tracking number in the status portal when status changes to "Dispatched". If provided, you can track the consignment on India Post website (indiapost.gov.in) under "Track & Trace" section. If tracking number not shown, visit local post office with acknowledgement number after 10 days of dispatch status.
Can I change delivery address after application submission?
No. Delivery address cannot be changed once application is submitted and acknowledgement number is generated. PAN card will be sent to the address mentioned in the application form. Ensure correct and complete address is entered during application. If moved to new address, inform local post office to redirect Speed Post delivery.
What does "Data not available" error mean in status portal?
This error appears when: (1) Application is very recent — wait 24-48 hours for system sync, (2) Acknowledgement number entered incorrectly — verify exact 15 digits from email/SMS, (3) Wrong portal used — try alternate portal (NSDL if used UTIITSL, or vice versa), (4) Wrong application type selected — verify "New PAN" vs "Correction" selection.
Can I reprint PAN card if status shows dispatched but lost in post?
Yes. If PAN card is lost in transit or not delivered after 15 working days of "Dispatched" status, you can request reprint through NSDL/UTIITSL portal. Fee: ₹50 for reprint. Alternatively, download ePAN (free) for immediate use and apply for reprint only if physical card specifically needed. Processing time for reprint: 10-15 days.
Related Guides
Status Under Process Too Long
What to do when verification delays beyond 20 days
PAN Not Received After Dispatch
Steps for non-delivery, lost in transit, tracking issues
Download ePAN Card
Get digital PAN instantly after approval
Application Rejected Reasons & Fixes
Why applications get rejected and how to fix
Apply for New PAN Card
Complete application process guide
PAN Correction Guide
Update incorrect details on existing PAN
Information Accuracy: This guide is based on NSDL and UTIITSL PAN card status tracking procedures and India Post Speed Post delivery timelines as of February 2026. Status portal interfaces and processing times may vary slightly based on application volume and system updates.
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational resource providing guidance on PAN card status tracking. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to NSDL, UTIITSL, Income Tax Department, or India Post. For official status, always refer to NSDL/UTIITSL portals directly.