How to Apply for PAN Card Online Using Aadhaar in 2026

How to Apply for PAN Card Online: A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is an important financial identification document in India. It is commonly required for income tax-related activities, banking and several financial transactions. If you do not have a PAN yet, eligible individuals can use the Income Tax Department’s Instant e-PAN facility to apply online using Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

The Instant e-PAN service is provided free of cost through the official Income Tax e-Filing portal. The current process also uses DigiLocker to obtain eligible proof of date of birth with the applicant’s consent.

In this guide, you will learn how to apply for PAN card online, eligibility, documents required, how to get Instant e-PAN using Aadhaar, how to check PAN status and how to download e-PAN online.

PAN Card Online Apply 2026 – Overview

Particular	Details
Document	Permanent Account Number (PAN)
Service	Instant e-PAN
Department	Income Tax Department, Government of India
Application Mode	Online
Aadhaar Required	Yes
Aadhaar-Linked Mobile	Required
DigiLocker Access	Required for the current Instant e-PAN process
Application Fee	No fee for Instant e-PAN
PAN Format	Digitally signed e-PAN
Official Portal	Income Tax e-Filing Portal

What is Instant e-PAN?

Instant e-PAN is an online facility provided by the Income Tax Department through which an eligible individual can obtain a digitally signed PAN in electronic format.

The service uses Aadhaar-based authentication and the mobile number linked with Aadhaar. Under the current process, applicants may also be redirected to DigiLocker to fetch date-of-birth details and supporting proof after providing the required consent.

The e-PAN can be viewed or downloaded after the PAN has been generated and allotted.

Who Can Apply for Instant e-PAN?

You can use the Instant e-PAN facility if you meet the eligibility conditions specified by the Income Tax Department.

Generally, the applicant must:

• Be an individual who has not already been allotted a PAN.
• Have a valid Aadhaar number.
• Have an active mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
• Have access to DigiLocker for the current process.
• Not be a minor on the date of the request.
• Not fall under the specified Representative Assessee category.

If a PAN has already been allotted to you, you cannot use Instant e-PAN to obtain another PAN.

Documents and Details Required for Instant e-PAN

Before starting the application, keep the following ready:

1. Valid Aadhaar number
2. Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
3. Access to DigiLocker
4. Required date-of-birth proof available through DigiLocker, where applicable

The Income Tax Department’s current user manual lists documents such as a Birth Certificate, Matriculation Certificate/marksheet, Driving Licence and certain other prescribed documents as acceptable date-of-birth proof through DigiLocker.

How to Apply for PAN Card Online Using Aadhaar

Follow the steps below to apply for Instant e-PAN through the official Income Tax Department portal.

Step 1: Visit the Income Tax e-Filing Portal

• Open the official Income Tax Department e-Filing portal.
• From the homepage, find the Instant e-PAN option under Quick Links.

Step 2: Click on Instant e-PAN

• Click Instant e-PAN to open the e-PAN service.
• You will be taken to the Instant e-PAN page where you can start a new application or check the status of an existing request.

Step 3: Select “Get New e-PAN”

• On the e-PAN page, click Get New e-PAN.
• The portal will display the eligibility declarations and consent requirements. Read them carefully before continuing.

Step 4: Enter Your Aadhaar Details

• Follow the instructions displayed on the portal and provide your Aadhaar details.
• You may need to confirm the required declarations before the Continue button becomes available.
• If your Aadhaar is already linked with an existing valid PAN, the system will indicate that the Aadhaar number is already linked with a PAN.

Step 5: Complete Aadhaar OTP Verification

• An OTP will be sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.
• Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your mobile and complete the authentication process.
• According to the Income Tax Department, the OTP is valid for 15 minutes and there are three attempts to enter the correct OTP.

Step 6: Complete DigiLocker Verification

• Under the current Instant e-PAN process, the applicant may be redirected to DigiLocker to fetch date-of-birth details and supporting proof.
• Follow the instructions shown on the screen and provide consent to share the required document with the Income Tax Department.
• The current user manual lists documents such as a Birth Certificate, Matriculation Certificate, Matriculation Marksheet, Driving Licence and Central Government Health Scheme Card among the prescribed documents that may be used as proof of date of birth.

Step 7: Submit the Request

• After Aadhaar authentication and the required document/consent steps are completed, submit your Instant e-PAN request.
• If the request is successfully submitted, a confirmation message will be displayed along with an Acknowledgement Number.
• Save this number because it can be useful for checking the status of your request later.

Step 8: Check Your e-PAN Status

• Return to the Income Tax e-Filing portal and select:
• Instant e-PAN → Check Status / Download e-PAN
• Enter your Aadhaar number and complete OTP verification.
• The portal will display the current status of your e-PAN request.

Step 9: View or Download Your e-PAN

If your PAN has been generated and allotted, the portal provides options to:

• View e-PAN
• Download e-PAN
• Create an e-Filing account

The Income Tax Department also provides a post-login option under Dashboard → Services → View / Download e-PAN.

Is Instant e-PAN Free?

Yes. Instant e-PAN is free of cost.

• The Income Tax Department specifically states that there is no fee for generating an Instant e-PAN through this service.
• This is different from other PAN application or physical-card services, where applicable service or processing charges may apply.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Instant e-PAN?

• Instant e-PAN is designed as a quick online PAN-generation facility, but applicants should not assume that every request will be completed within a fixed number of minutes.
• The actual processing can depend on Aadhaar authentication, DigiLocker information, data validation and the status of the request.
• Therefore, instead of relying on the older “10-minute PAN card” claim, applicants should check the current status through the official Income Tax e-Filing portal.

How to Download e-PAN Online?

You can download your e-PAN after it has been generated.

Without Login

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
2. Select Instant e-PAN.
3. Select Check Status / Download e-PAN.
4. Enter your Aadhaar number.
5. Complete OTP verification.
6. Check your current e-PAN status.
7. If PAN has been allotted, select Download e-PAN.

These steps are based on the current Income Tax Department user manual.

After Login

If you have registered on the e-Filing portal:

1. Log in to your e-Filing account.
2. Open the Dashboard.
3. Go to Services.
4. Select View / Download e-PAN.
5. Complete Aadhaar OTP verification if requested.
6. View or download your e-PAN.

Can I Apply for Instant e-PAN If I Already Have a PAN?

No.

The Instant e-PAN facility is intended for individuals who have not already been allotted a PAN.

If you already have a PAN and have lost your PAN card, you should not apply for a new PAN. Instead, use the appropriate PAN-related services for retrieving or obtaining a copy of your existing PAN.

What If Aadhaar Is Not Linked to Mobile Number?

Aadhaar-based authentication requires an active mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

If your Aadhaar is not linked with an active mobile number, the Instant e-PAN process may not be completed. The Income Tax Department advises applicants to update their Aadhaar details where required before using the service.

What If My PAN Application Fails?

If your Instant e-PAN allotment request fails, the Income Tax Department’s FAQ states that you can apply for PAN through other authorised PAN application channels such as Protean or UTIITSL.

Before submitting another application, check whether the issue relates to Aadhaar details, mobile authentication, eligibility or supporting information.

Can I Get a Physical PAN Card After Getting e-PAN?

The Instant e-PAN service primarily provides a digitally signed PAN in electronic format.

If you require a physical PAN card after PAN allotment, you can use the applicable authorised PAN card/reprint service. The Income Tax Department’s FAQ provides links to authorised services for requesting a printed physical PAN card.

Important Points Before Applying for PAN Online

Keep these points in mind before starting your application:

• Use only the official Income Tax e-Filing portal.
• Make sure your Aadhaar details are correct.
• Your mobile number should be linked with Aadhaar.
• Keep access to DigiLocker ready.
• Do not share your Aadhaar OTP with another person.
• Do not apply for another PAN if you already have one.
• Save your acknowledgement number after submitting the request.
• Check the PAN status through the official portal if the PAN is not immediately available.
• Avoid unofficial websites claiming to generate PAN for a fee.

Common Problems While Applying for Instant e-PAN

Aadhaar Already Linked With PAN

• If your Aadhaar is already associated with a PAN, you cannot generate another Instant e-PAN using the same Aadhaar.

Mobile Number Not Linked With Aadhaar

• If the Aadhaar number is not linked with an active mobile number, OTP verification may fail.

Incorrect Aadhaar Information

• Differences in name, date of birth or other details can create problems during authentication or PAN generation.

DigiLocker Document Not Available

• The current process uses DigiLocker for fetching eligible date-of-birth information. If the required document is not available or cannot be fetched, the process may not proceed as expected.

Official Website	View
HomePage	Visit

PAN Card Online Apply – FAQs

Final Words

Applying for a PAN card online has become considerably simpler through the Income Tax Department’s Instant e-PAN facility. Eligible individuals can complete the process online using Aadhaar, an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the required DigiLocker information.

The most important point is to use the official Income Tax Department portal and carefully follow the instructions shown during Aadhaar authentication, DigiLocker verification and e-PAN generation.

If your PAN has already been allotted, do not apply for another PAN. Instead, use the appropriate existing-PAN services for downloading, reprinting or correcting your PAN details.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. PAN rules, application procedures, forms, fees and online services may change from time to time. Applicants should verify the latest requirements and complete their application through the official Income Tax Department or other authorised PAN service providers.