A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a mandatory 10-digit alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India. Whether you need it for filing income tax returns, opening a bank account, or completing KYC for investments, having quick access to your PAN card is essential. In 2026, you can now download your PAN card as a digital e-PAN PDF online within minutes — no need to wait for a physical card to arrive by post.
This comprehensive guide explains how to download your PAN card online from both NSDL and the Income Tax e-Filing portal, how to reprint a lost PAN card, check your application status, and make corrections to your PAN details.
What is e-PAN?
e-PAN is a digitally signed electronic version of your PAN card issued by the Income Tax Department in PDF format. It contains the same information as a physical PAN card including your PAN number, name, date of birth, father's name, photograph, and a QR code for verification.
Key features of e-PAN:
- Legally valid: The CBDT has officially recognized e-PAN as a valid proof of PAN through circular No. 7/2018. It is accepted at all banks, financial institutions, and government offices.
- QR code verification: The e-PAN contains a digitally signed QR code that can be scanned to verify the authenticity of the document.
- Instant availability: Unlike a physical PAN card that takes 15–20 days for delivery, e-PAN is available for download within minutes of application or request.
- Free download: If your PAN was allotted within the last 30 days, you can download e-PAN for free up to 3 times. After that, a nominal fee of ₹8.26 (inclusive of GST) is charged.
- Accepted everywhere: e-PAN is accepted for all purposes including ITR filing, bank account opening, Demat account opening, mutual fund KYC, passport application, and property registration.
Download e-PAN from NSDL
NSDL e-Gov (now Protean eGov Technologies) is the primary portal for PAN-related services. Here is the step-by-step process to download your e-PAN PDF from NSDL:
Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the NSDL e-PAN download page: onlineservices.nsdl.com/pam/
- Select "Download e-PAN" from the options
- Enter your 10-digit PAN number
- Enter your Aadhaar number (mandatory for Indian citizens)
- Enter your Date of Birth as per PAN records
- Enter the CAPTCHA code displayed on screen
- Click "Submit"
- An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number
- Enter the OTP and click "Verify"
- Click "Download e-PAN" to save the PDF file
Important Notes for NSDL Download
- If your PAN was allotted in the last 30 days, the download is free (up to 3 attempts).
- For PANs allotted more than 30 days ago, a fee of ₹8.26 (inclusive of GST) is charged via online payment.
- The e-PAN PDF is password-protected. The password is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (e.g., 15011990 for 15th January 1990).
- You must have a valid Aadhaar with a linked mobile number for OTP verification.
- The downloaded e-PAN has a digital signature and is valid for all official purposes.
Download from Income Tax Portal
The Income Tax Department's e-Filing portal (incometax.gov.in) also allows you to download e-PAN. This is especially useful if you have recently applied for PAN through the "Instant e-PAN" facility using Aadhaar.
Using Instant e-PAN Facility
The Instant e-PAN facility is available for Indian citizens who have a valid Aadhaar number and have not been allotted a PAN earlier. Here is how to use it:
- Visit incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/
- Click on "Instant e-PAN" under the Quick Links section
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
- Click "Continue" and validate with Aadhaar OTP
- Verify the auto-populated details (name, DOB, gender, mobile, email)
- Submit the request
- You will receive an acknowledgement number
- Check status after 10 minutes using the same "Instant e-PAN" link
- Once processed, click "Download e-PAN" to get the PDF
This service is completely free of charge and the e-PAN is generated within 10 minutes in most cases. The entire process is paperless — no documents need to be uploaded as the details are fetched directly from the UIDAI (Aadhaar) database.
Download Existing e-PAN from Income Tax Portal
If you already have a PAN and want to download the e-PAN copy:
- Login to incometax.gov.in with your PAN and password
- Go to "My Profile" → "PAN Details"
- Click on "Download e-PAN" link
- Verify via OTP sent to your registered mobile number
- Download the PDF
PAN Card Reprint
If you need a physical PAN card reprinted — whether because your old card is damaged, lost, or you want an updated version — you can apply for a reprint through NSDL or UTIITSL.
Reprint PAN through NSDL
- Visit onlineservices.nsdl.com/pam/reprint.html
- Enter your PAN number
- Enter Aadhaar number and Date of Birth
- Verify via OTP
- Pay the reprint fee of ₹107 (inclusive of GST and delivery charges)
- Submit the request
- The physical PAN card will be dispatched to your address within 15–20 working days
Reprint PAN through UTIITSL
UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited) is the other authorized PAN service provider. You can apply for a reprint at utiitsl.com or visit any UTIITSL PAN centre in person. The fee is the same — ₹107 inclusive of GST. You will need to provide your existing PAN number and Aadhaar for verification.
Note: When you apply for a reprint, you get the same PAN number — no changes are made to the PAN data. If you need to update your name, address, date of birth, or other details, you should apply for a PAN correction instead.
Lost PAN Card — What to Do?
Losing your PAN card can be stressful, but the good news is that getting a replacement is quick and easy in 2026. Here is what you should do immediately:
Immediate Steps
- Step 1 — Do not panic: Your PAN number remains the same even if the card is lost. As long as you remember your PAN number, you can continue to file ITR and conduct financial transactions.
- Step 2 — Download e-PAN: Download the e-PAN PDF immediately from NSDL or the Income Tax portal (as described above). This gives you a legally valid digital copy that you can use for all purposes.
- Step 3 — File a police complaint (optional): While not mandatory for getting a replacement, filing a police complaint (FIR or NCR) is recommended to protect yourself from potential misuse of your lost PAN card.
- Step 4 — Apply for reprint: Apply for a physical card reprint through NSDL or UTIITSL if you need a physical card.
Prevent Misuse of Lost PAN
To prevent misuse of your lost PAN card, take these precautions:
- Monitor your credit report regularly through CIBIL, Experian, or CRIF High Mark for any unauthorized loans or credit applications.
- Check your AIS (Annual Information Statement) on the Income Tax portal for any suspicious transactions.
- Ensure your mobile number and email are updated in your PAN records so you receive alerts for any PAN-related activity.
- Link your Aadhaar with PAN to strengthen identity verification for all PAN-based transactions.
PAN Card Status Check
After applying for a new PAN or reprint, you can track the status online. Here are the methods to check your PAN card status:
Check Status on NSDL Portal
- Visit onlineservices.nsdl.com/pam/statusTrack.html
- Select the application type (New PAN / Change or Correction / Reprint)
- Enter your 15-digit Acknowledgement Number
- Or enter your PAN number and Date of Birth
- Enter the CAPTCHA and click "Submit"
- The current status will be displayed (Under Processing / Dispatched / Delivered)
Check Status on UTIITSL Portal
Visit trackpan.utiitsl.com and enter your 10-digit application coupon number or PAN number to check the status. You can also call the UTIITSL helpline at 033-40802999 for status updates.
Check via SMS
If you applied through NSDL, send an SMS in the format: NSDLPAN followed by your 15-digit acknowledgement number to 57575. You will receive an SMS with the current status of your PAN application.
Typical Processing Times
| Application Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| New PAN (online, Aadhaar-based) | 7–10 working days |
| Instant e-PAN (Aadhaar OTP) | 10 minutes |
| PAN correction/change | 15–20 working days |
| PAN reprint | 15–20 working days |
| e-PAN download | Instant (after OTP verification) |
PAN Card Correction
If there are errors in your PAN card — such as a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or outdated address — you can apply for a PAN correction online. Here is how:
Online Correction Process
- Visit onlineservices.nsdl.com/pam/correction.html
- Select "Changes or correction in existing PAN data"
- Fill in the application form with correct details
- Upload supporting documents (Aadhaar, passport, etc.)
- Pay the correction fee of ₹107 (inclusive of GST)
- Submit the application and note the acknowledgement number
- Send the signed physical acknowledgement form to NSDL within 15 days (if required)
Documents Required for PAN Correction
- Name change: Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or gazette notification
- Date of birth: Birth certificate, Aadhaar, passport, or matriculation certificate
- Address change: Aadhaar, utility bill, bank statement, or passport
- Father's name correction: Aadhaar, passport, or birth certificate
The corrected PAN card will have the same PAN number — only the details on the card change. You will receive the updated physical card within 15–20 working days, and you can download the updated e-PAN immediately after the correction is processed.
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Use Income Tax Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How can I download my PAN card PDF online?
You can download e-PAN PDF from the NSDL e-Gov portal (onlineservices.nsdl.com) or the Income Tax e-Filing portal (incometax.gov.in) by entering your PAN number, date of birth, and Aadhaar number. The download is free if your PAN was allotted in the last 30 days, otherwise a fee of ₹8.26 (inclusive of GST) is charged.
Is e-PAN valid as a physical PAN card?
Yes, e-PAN downloaded from NSDL or UTIITSL is legally valid as a physical PAN card. The CBDT has issued a circular confirming that e-PAN with QR code and digital signature is a valid proof of PAN. It can be used for all KYC, banking, and income tax purposes.
I lost my PAN card. How do I get a new one?
If you lost your PAN card, you can download the e-PAN PDF online for free (if allotted within 30 days) or for ₹8.26. For a physical reprint, apply through NSDL or UTIITSL with a fee of ₹107 (including GST). You do not need to apply for a new PAN number — you will get the same PAN on the reprinted card.
How to check PAN card status after applying?
You can check PAN application status on the NSDL portal at onlineservices.nsdl.com/pam/statusTrack.html or on the UTIITSL portal at trackpan.utiitsl.com. Enter your acknowledgement number or coupon number to see the current status. You can also check via SMS by sending 'NSDLPAN <15-digit acknowledgement>' to 57575.
Can I download PAN card using Aadhaar number only?
Yes, on the Income Tax e-Filing portal (incometax.gov.in), you can download e-PAN using your Aadhaar number alone if your Aadhaar is linked with PAN. Go to 'Instant e-PAN' section, enter your Aadhaar number, verify via OTP, and download the e-PAN PDF.