Written by : Rajiv Singh

A Chartered Accountant in UK with 15+ years of experience in FinTech Consulting, Accounting & International Taxation. I enjoy being a Social, Foodie and Father of two young children, reachable at linktr.ee/RajivSingh.


Free PAN card in India just 10 minutes from Aadhaar

Rajiv Singh
Rajiv Singh, CA, FAIA

Feb 8, 2021 20:08

Get new PAN card online instantly using Aadhaar based e-KYC

A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is issued instantly in just 10 minutes in PDF format to the applicant. Although the e-PAN card is as good as a physical copy, you can still get a laminated PAN card if you want by ordering a reprint for just ₹50.

Here are steps to apply for instant PAN online:

  • Visit the income tax department's e-filing portal and click on "Instant PAN through Aadhaar" section under "Quick Links" on the left side
  • Click on "Get New PAN" on the new page.
  • Enter your Aadhaar number for allotment of new PAN card and the Captcha code to generate an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile phone.
  • Validate OTP.
  • Validate Aadhaar details.
  • You will have an option to validate your email id as well for PAN card application.
  • The e-KYC data of that Aadhaar number is exchanged with the Unique Identification Authority of India(UIDAI) after which you will be allotted an instant e-PAN. The entire process is not supposed to take more than 10 minutes.
  • You can download your PAN in pdf format by submitting the Aadhaar number at "Check Status/ Download PAN". You will also get the PAN in PDF format by your email, if your email-id is registered with Aadhaar database.

The entire process of getting a new PAN card has now been made free, easy and paperless. You are also not required to upload any documents on the portal.

Note that the facility is available only to those who have never been allotted a PAN before, mobile phone number is linked to Aadhaar number and complete date of birth in DD-MM-YYYY format is available on the Aadhaar card. Besides, the instant e-PAN card facility is not available to minors.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What is e-PAN?
Answer:e-PAN is digitally signed PAN card issued in electronic format by the Income Tax Department using Aadhaar e-KYC.

2. What is Aadhaar based e-KYC for allotment of instant e-PAN?
Answer: Aadhaar based e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) is an online service provided by UIDAI for verification of identity and address of Aadhaar holder. Income Tax Department leverages this Aadhaar based e-KYC for instant e-PAN allotment.

3. Who can apply for allotment of instant e-PAN through Aadhaar e-KYC?
Answer: This facility is available to individual PAN applicants who have been allotted an Aadhaar number by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and is required to file PAN application in Form 49A being an Indian citizen. Except Minors and others covered u/s 160 of Income Tax Act, 1961.

4. Can foreign citizens apply for e-PAN using Aadhaar e-KYC?
Answer:No.

5. Is there any mandatory requirement to apply e-PAN using Aadhaar e-KYC?
Answer:Yes, Valid Aadhaar and mobile number of PAN applicant should be registered with Aadhaar.

6. Do you require Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for applying for e-PAN card using Aadhaar e-KYC?
Answer:No.

7. Do I need to submit the physical copy of KYC application or proof of Aadhaar card?
Answer:No, this is a completely paperless facility and everything will be done electronically.

8. Do we need to upload scanned photo, signature etc. for e-KYC?
Answer:Only scanned image of applicant's signature has to be uploaded with the following specifications:-
Resolution- 200 DPI
Type- Color
File type- JPEG
Size of the file - Maximum 10 KB
Dimension of Signature - 2 cm X 4.5 cm (Only the Signature to be scanned)

9.Is there any need to send acknowledgement or any document if an instant e-PAN is applied using Aadhaar e-KYC?
Answer:No.

10. Do I need to do in-person verification (IPV)?
Answer:No.

11. Whether facility of instant allotment of e-PAN is available for all?
Answer:Facility of allotment of instant e-PAN is not available for minor applicants and other categories of applicants as provided u/s 160 of Income-tax Act, 1961 where 'Representative assesse' is appointed by the applicant.

12. What is the fee for getting the instant e-PAN card through Aadhaar e-KYC?
Answer:There is no fee for using this facility at present.

13.Which are the centers for e-PAN allotment through e-KYC?
Answer:PAN application for instant allotment of e-PAN through Aadhaar e-KYC is allowed only through e-Filing website www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in.

14. Is e-PAN a valid proof of allotment of PAN?
Answer:Yes.

15.How Aadhaar is verified during the process of e-PAN?
Answer:OTP based Aadhaar e-KYC will be carried out.

16.What should I do if I haven't received my OTP?
Answer:You can regenerate OTP by resubmitting the Aadhaar e-KYC.

17.How many times OTP can be generated?
Answer:Any number of time.

18.During e-KYC, my Aadhaar authentication is rejected. Why? How can this problem be resolved? Who shall be contacted in this case? Answer:There may be many reasons for rejection of Aadhaar authentication such as wrong OTP, difference between name, gender, date of birth and address fields in PAN application and Aadhaar. Problem can only be solved once there is no difference in PAN application and Aadhaar. Please update the necessary correction in UIDAI.

19.First name in Aadhaar is written in initials. But PAN application does not allow initials. Will the e-KYC be successful or will it get rejected. In this scenario, is the taxpayer required to get changes done in Aadhaar?
Answer:Aadhaar e-KYC will get rejected, PAN applicant need to update the changes in Aadhaar.

20. Can a different address other than that on the Aadhaar card be selected for dispatch of PAN Card?
Answer:No physical PAN card will be issued, Only e-PAN PDF can be downloaded in e-Filing portal after successful allotment of PAN.

21.How do I check my status of instant PAN application?
Answer:A 15 digit acknowledgement number will be generated when the on-line PAN application is successfully submitted. This 15 digit acknowledgement number can be used to check status in e-Filing Portal.

22. What is the time duration for receiving the PAN card applied through e-KYC?
Answer:Intimation of allotment of PAN will be given to PAN applicant through SMS and email. e-PAN will be issued in the shortest possible time after allotment of PAN, and can be downloaded through e-Filing portal by providing the acknowledgement number and the OTP.

23. What if my mobile number is different from the mobile number registered on UIDAI?
Answer:Please update the active mobile number in Aadhaar and after successful update, apply for e-PAN.

24.Can I apply for PAN Card with my inactive Aadhaar Card?
Answer:No.

Rajiv Singh
Rajiv Singh, CA, FAIA

Feb 8, 2021 20:08

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