PAN card issued by the Income Tax Department of India is a mandatory requirement to file Income Tax returns or make bank transactions exceeding Rs. 50,000. Moreover, PAN card is also considered as one of the important identification documents for opening a bank account, buying a property, investing in mutual funds, applying for a debit/credit card, etc.
With the Income Tax Department’s free and instant e-PAN card facility using Aadhaar-based e-KYC, you can secure e-PAN online in just 10 minutes and without any documentation. Yours PAN card application is instantly processed using your Aadhaar card details.
Eligibility for Instant e-PAN through Aadhaar Card
The instant e-PAN is a digital PAN card which is as valid as a physical PAN. However, there are some prerequisites that you need to consider if you want to avail instant e-PAN:
- You have never received a PAN card
- You should not be a minor on the date you apply for your instant e-PAN
- You should have a valid Aadhaar and a mobile phone linked to Aadhaar
- Your complete date of birth should be available on your Aadhaar Card (DD/MM/YY)
- You should not be covered under the definition of Representative Assessee u/s 160 of the Income Tax
How to Get Instant e-PAN through Aadhaar Card
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to avail Instant e-PAN through Aadhaar card:
Step 1: Visit the e-Filing portal homepage and under the Quick Links section, click the “menstant e-PAN” option
Step 2: On the e-PAN page, click “Get New e-PAN”
Step 3: Next, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, select the “I confirm” checkbox and click “carry on”
Step 4: click on “me have read the consent terms and agree to proceed further” and click on the “carry on” a button
Step 5: Fill in the 6-digit OTP sent on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, select the checkbox to validate the Aadhaar details with UIDAI and click “carry on”
Step 6: On the Validate Aadhaar Details page, select I accept that checkbox and click “carry on”. Note that validating your email address (registered with your Aadhaar) is optional.
Step 7: After successful sending, a success message is displayed on the screen along with an Number of Acknowledgment. Keep a note of the Admission ID for future reference. You will also receive a confirmation message on your Aadhaar linked mobile.
Format of Instant e-PAN Card
The instant e-PAN Card issued is in PDF format which also has a QR code containing all the demographic information like your name, date of birth, gender and photo as well. Moreover, this instant e-PAN can be downloaded using the 15-digit acknowledgment number sent to you on your registered mobile number and email address after the PAN Card application process is completed. In addition, you will also receive a copy of your PAN Card on your email address (if registered with Aadhaar Card and mentioned in the application form).
Note: Sometimes, the applicants get confused whether the instant e-PAN is considered as valid or not, but as per the recent rules of the Income Tax Department of India, the e-PAN is equivalent to a physical PAN Card.
Payments for Instant e-PAN Card through Aadhaar Card
You can get instant e-PAN completely free of cost through Income Tax e-Filing website using Aadhaar e-KYC based process. However, this instant e-PAN is a digital PAN. To use a physical PAN card, you need to visit the official website of NSDL or UTIITSL and apply for the same by paying the applicable PAN card application fees and charges.
Read more about: PAN Card Fees and Charges
Documents Required for Instant PAN Application
No documentation is required for the instant PAN application through Aadhaar Card as the data is automatically fetched from the UIDAI database after you enter your Aadhaar numbe
How to Check Status of Instant PAN Application
You can also check the status of your Instant e-PAN application by following the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the home page of the e-Filing portal and click “Instant e-PAN”
Step 2: On the e-PAN page, click “carry on” under the “Check Status / Download PAN” option
Step 3: Enter your 12 digit Aadhaar number and click “carry on”
Step 4: On the OTP Validation page, enter the 6-digit OTP you receive on your Aadhaar registered mobile number and click “Keep going“
Step 5: You can view the status of your e-PAN application on the “Current status of your e-PAN application” page If your new e-PAN has been created and assigned, click “View e-PAN” see or “Download e-PAN” to download a copy of your PAN card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I get a hard copy of instant e-PAN?
No, instant e-PAN is just a digital PAN card. If you want to use physical PAN card, you have to apply for the same through NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL website by paying the applicable fee.
Q. Can I get the instant e-PAN issued in the digilocker application?
No, instant e-PAN can be issued only through the income tax e-Filing website.
Q. Does UMANG app support the e-PAN facility?
Yes, you can use your instant e-PAN in the UMANG application
Read more about: UMANG App: Download, Registration, Login, Services and Benefits
Q. Can I provide my instant e-PAN to open a new savings account?
Yes, the instant e-PAN is as valid as a physical PAN card.
Q. Will my instant e-PAN be valid for applying for loans and credit cards?
Yes, you can use your instant e-PAN to apply for loans and credit cards.
Q. What will happen to my instant e-PAN if I apply for the hard copy of PAN card through NSDL or UTIITSL portal?
You can continue to use your instant e-PAN as it is. The hard copy generated is simply a physical form of the same PAN.
Q. Can I use my instant e-PAN for identity proof?
Yes, you can use your instant e-PAN as proof of identity.
Q. Can I use my instant e-PAN for address proof?
Yes, instant e-PAN can be used as a valid address proof.