How to Get an Instant e-PAN Using Aadhaar
Get a free instant e-PAN issued in minutes through the Income Tax e-Filing portal — no documents to upload, no fees, just Aadhaar and a linked mobile number.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- incometax.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Lifetime
- Issuing Authority
- Income Tax Department (ITD)
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
The Income Tax Department's Instant e-PAN service is the fastest legal way to get a PAN in India. It uses your Aadhaar e-KYC, takes a few minutes end-to-end, and costs nothing.
It only works for individuals (not companies, firms, HUFs, or trusts), only if you don't already have a PAN, and only if your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar for OTP. If any of those conditions don't hold, use the regular PAN application route via Protean or UTIITSL.
Eligibility
- You are an individual Indian citizen (not a company, HUF, or trust).
- You hold a valid Aadhaar and the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar is active.
- You do not already have a PAN allotted to you.
- You are not a minor on the date of application.
Required documents
Aadhaar number
RequiredUsed for e-KYC — the system fetches your name, DOB, address, and photo directly from UIDAI.
12-digit Aadhaar with mobile number linked for OTP.
digitalAadhaar-linked mobile
RequiredOTP authentication to confirm your identity during the e-PAN request.
Used to receive OTPs. No SMS goes to any other number.
digital
Step-by-step process
- 1
Open the Income Tax e-Filing portal
Go to incometax.gov.in and choose 'Instant e-PAN' from the Quick Links.
incometax.gov.in ↗ - 2
Click 'Get New e-PAN'
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, confirm you agree to the terms, and click 'Continue'.
- 3
Verify with OTP
Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
- 4
Confirm your Aadhaar details
The portal displays the name, DOB, gender, and address fetched from UIDAI. Confirm to proceed — no editing is allowed here.
- 5
Submit and note the acknowledgement
Click 'Submit'. You'll see an acknowledgement number — save it.
- 6
Download your e-PAN
Within a few minutes, the e-PAN PDF becomes available under 'Check Status / Download PAN' on the same page. The PDF is password-protected — the password is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
incometax.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Income Tax Department, Government of India
- Approving Officer
- Jurisdictional Assessing Officer
- For Offline Applications
- Not applicable — Instant e-PAN is online only
What happens after applying
- 1
Aadhaar OTP verification
You enter your Aadhaar number and authenticate via OTP on your registered mobile.
- 2
e-KYC data fetch
The system pulls your name, DOB, gender, and photo from UIDAI in real time — no document upload needed.
- 3
PAN allotment
The Income Tax Department allots a PAN number instantly after successful e-KYC.
- 4
e-PAN PDF generation
A digitally signed, QR-code-enabled e-PAN PDF is generated and made available for download within minutes.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Applying when Aadhaar mobile is deactivated
Why: If the SIM linked to Aadhaar is inactive, the OTP never arrives and you cannot complete e-KYC.
Fix: Reactivate the SIM or visit a UIDAI enrolment centre to update your mobile number before applying.
Applying when you already have a PAN
Why: The system checks existing PAN records. A duplicate allotment is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act.
Fix: Check your PAN status first at incometax.gov.in. If you have one, use the correction or linking route instead.
Entering the wrong Aadhaar number
Why: A typo triggers a mismatch and the request fails immediately.
Fix: Verify the 12-digit Aadhaar carefully before submitting — digit-by-digit against the physical card or e-Aadhaar.
Expecting the PDF immediately
Why: The e-PAN sometimes takes a few minutes to generate after submission — the 'Check Status / Download' tab may not show it instantly.
Fix: Wait a few minutes and refresh the 'Check Status / Download PAN' page using the acknowledgement number.
Wrong PDF password
Why: The password is your DOB in DDMMYYYY format — no separators. People try slashes or hyphens by mistake.
Fix: Use exactly 8 digits: day, month, four-digit year with no separators (e.g., 15081990 for 15 Aug 1990).
Special situations
Your name on Aadhaar has a spelling inconsistency or single-letter abbreviation▾
The PAN is issued with the exact name as on Aadhaar. If that name is not how you want it on PAN, you'll need to correct Aadhaar first — there's no editing during Instant e-PAN.
You are an NRI but hold a valid Aadhaar▾
The Instant e-PAN service is only for resident individuals. NRIs must apply through Form 49A (Protean or UTIITSL) instead.
You are a minor (under 18)▾
The Instant e-PAN is not available for minors. Parents or guardians must apply through the regular PAN application route.
You previously held a PAN that was surrendered or deactivated▾
The system may still detect the earlier record and block a new allotment. Contact the Income Tax helpdesk to resolve the status before reapplying.
Your Aadhaar DOB is marked as 'declared' (approximate)▾
The Instant e-PAN may not process if the DOB on Aadhaar is not verified (shown as 'D' for declared). You will need to get your DOB verified on Aadhaar at an enrolment centre first.
Frequently asked questions
Is the instant e-PAN legally valid?▾
Yes. It carries a QR code and is fully valid for tax and KYC purposes. No physical card is issued for this route.
Is there a fee?▾
No. The Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar is completely free.
What's the password to open the PDF?▾
Your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (no separators).
Can I use Instant e-PAN if my Aadhaar isn't linked to a mobile number?▾
No. You'll need to update your Aadhaar to add a mobile number first, then come back.
Can a company or HUF use the Instant e-PAN route?▾
No. Instant e-PAN is only for individual Indian citizens. Entities must apply through Form 49A on Protean or UTIITSL.
How do I check if my Instant e-PAN was successfully allotted?▾
Visit the 'Check Status / Download PAN' section on the Instant e-PAN page on incometax.gov.in and enter your acknowledgement number.
Can I get a physical PAN card after getting an Instant e-PAN?▾
Yes. You can apply for a physical reprint of your PAN card via Protean or UTIITSL using your allotted PAN number.
What if I entered the wrong Aadhaar number?▾
The system will reject the request if the Aadhaar is not found or is invalid. Start a fresh application with the correct number.
Will the Instant e-PAN have the same format as a regular PAN?▾
Yes. The 10-character alphanumeric PAN number and format are identical to any other PAN. The PDF layout is slightly different but equally valid.
What happens if my Aadhaar name is in a regional script only?▾
The Income Tax portal requires the name in English. If your Aadhaar does not have an English name, you may need to update Aadhaar to add English name first.
Can I link my Instant e-PAN with my bank account immediately?▾
Yes, once allotted the PAN number is immediately active in the Income Tax database and can be linked to banks, brokers, and other financial services.
My application is showing 'pending' even after an hour. What should I do?▾
Wait up to 24 hours for the system to process. If it stays pending beyond that, raise a grievance on the e-Filing portal or call the Income Tax helpline.
What if my mobile number has changed since I linked it to Aadhaar?▾
Update the mobile number on Aadhaar at a UIDAI enrolment centre first. The old number won't receive OTPs.
Is the Instant e-PAN valid for property transactions?▾
Yes. It's a valid PAN for all purposes including property purchases, stock market investments, and high-value cash transactions.
Can I download the e-PAN multiple times?▾
Yes. Once allotted, you can revisit the 'Check Status / Download PAN' page and download the PDF again using your acknowledgement number or Aadhaar number.
Do I need to apply separately for PAN-Aadhaar linking after getting Instant e-PAN?▾
Yes. Getting an Instant e-PAN does not automatically link your PAN and Aadhaar. You must complete the linking process separately on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Official sources
- Income Tax e-Filing Portal — Instant e-PAN ↗
incometax.gov.in
Official portal for instant e-PAN generation and download.
- Income Tax Department — PAN services ↗
incometax.gov.in
Main portal for all Income Tax services including PAN status check.
- Protean (NSDL) PAN services ↗
protean-tinpan.com
Alternative authorised PAN issuer for regular (non-instant) PAN applications.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.