How to get a free PAN card online (Instant e-PAN)

Instant e-PAN is the Income Tax Department's free way to get a new PAN. You get your PAN as a PDF file (an e-PAN). The portal says it holds the same value as a physical PAN card.

Can I use this?

You can, if all of these are true:

• You are an individual (a person, not a company or firm).
• You do not already have a PAN. Having two PANs is against the law, and the portal warns that it can attract a penalty of ₹10,000.
• You are not a minor (under 18) on the day you apply.
• You have an Aadhaar number, and a mobile number linked to that Aadhaar.
• You have a DigiLocker account, and it holds one of the documents in the next section as proof of your date of birth.
• You are not applying as a representative of someone else (a "representative assessee").

If you cannot use Instant e-PAN, you can still apply for a PAN through the other official channels, Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL. The portal also sends you there if your e-PAN request is rejected or not handled within 24 hours.

Documents you will need

No papers to upload. You need:

• Aadhaar number, with the mobile number linked to it nearby (you will get two OTPs).
• DigiLocker security PIN (the 6-digit PIN you set in DigiLocker).
• In your DigiLocker, one of these as proof of date of birth:
  • Birth certificate
  • Matriculation (Class 10) certificate
  • Matriculation marksheet from a recognised board
  • Driving licence
  • CGHS card
• Your father's name, which you type in.

Cost

Free. The portal says the PAN "is issued in PDF format to applicants, which is free of cost".

Steps

1. Open the Income Tax e-Filing portal. Under Quick Links, click Instant E-PAN.

   

2. On the e-PAN page, click Get New e-PAN.

   

3. Tick all four eligibility statements and the box that lets the portal use your DigiLocker and Aadhaar e-KYC data. Click Continue.

4. Read the disclaimer and click Continue. The portal takes you to DigiLocker.

5. In DigiLocker, type your Aadhaar number (or Virtual ID) and the captcha, and click Next.

6. Type the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile and click Continue.

7. Type your 6-digit DigiLocker security PIN and click Continue. Forgot it? Use Forgot security PIN?

8. Choose the document to share as proof of your date of birth, and click Allow. (If you choose more than one, the first one in alphabetical order is used.)

9. Back on the e-Filing portal, type your Aadhaar number again and ask for an OTP.

10. Type the new OTP and click Continue. Each OTP works for 15 minutes, and you get 3 tries.

11. Type your father's name, tick I Accept that, click Submit, then Continue.

12. Adding your email is optional. Write down the Acknowledgement Number shown on the screen. You will also get an SMS.

Download your e-PAN

1. Go to the same Instant E-PAN page and click Continue on Check Status/ Download e-PAN.
2. Type your Aadhaar number and click Continue.
3. Type the OTP and click Validate Aadhaar OTP and Continue.
4. If your PAN has been allotted, click Download e-PAN (or View e-PAN).

After you get your PAN you can also register on the e-Filing portal (the page shows a Create e-Filing Account button), which you will need for tax returns.

Help

• e-Filing helpdesk: 1800 103 0025 or 1800 419 0025 (8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday).
• PAN queries (Protean, formerly NSDL): +91-20-27218080 (7 am to 11 pm, all days).

Good to know

• Use only the official incometax.gov.in portal. It is free there, so there is no need to pay an agent for this service.
• The Income Tax Department says its official emails never contain links. Treat any message with a "get PAN" link as a scam.