PAN Card Apply Online: e-PAN, Protean and UTIITSL Guide

You can apply for a PAN card online in three official ways: the free instant e-PAN on the Income Tax e-filing portal (Aadhaar-based, issued in minutes), or a full application through Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) or UTIITSL, the two authorised service providers, for about ₹72–₹107. If you have Aadhaar linked to a mobile number and only need the PAN number with a digital card, the instant e-PAN route is the fastest and costs nothing. If you want the physical laminated card, or you are applying for a minor, firm, or as an NRI, use Protean or UTIITSL.

The three official routes compared

Anything outside these three — “agent” websites, app-store PAN apps charging ₹300–₹500 — is a middleman at best. The official application links are listed on the Income Tax Department’s Apply for PAN page.

Route 1: Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar (free)

1. Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal and click Instant e-PAN under Quick Links.
2. Click Get New e-PAN, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, tick the consent box, and continue.
3. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile and validate.
4. Confirm the Aadhaar details shown (name, date of birth, address pull in automatically) and submit the request.
5. Note the acknowledgement number. The e-PAN is typically allotted within minutes; download the signed PDF from the same Instant e-PAN → Check Status / Download PAN screen.

Conditions: you must be an adult individual, your Aadhaar must not already be linked to a PAN, and your mobile number must be active on Aadhaar. The e-PAN is a fully valid PAN — the number is permanent, and you can order a printed card later for a small fee if you ever want one.

Route 2: Apply through Protean (formerly NSDL)

1. Open the Protean PAN portal at onlineservices.proteantech.in (linked from the Income Tax site) and choose New PAN — Indian Citizen.
2. Fill the application form. Until 31 March 2026 this was the familiar Form 49A; from 1 April 2026, under the Income-tax Act 2025, new applications use Form 93 for individual Indian citizens (Form 95 for foreign citizens), per Protean’s notification. The online wizard picks the right form for you — the change matters only if someone hands you an old paper form.
3. Choose the mode: paperless e-KYC with Aadhaar OTP (easiest — no documents to upload), scanned-image upload with e-sign, or physical dispatch of signed documents.
4. Choose whether you want the physical card or e-PAN only, pay the fee online, and complete Aadhaar OTP authentication.
5. Save the acknowledgement number for tracking.

Route 3: Apply through UTIITSL

The flow mirrors Protean: go to pan.utiitsl.com, select PAN Card for Indian Citizen, pick the digital/paperless mode, fill the same form, upload or e-KYC your documents, and pay. There is no quality difference between the two providers; pick whichever portal you find smoother. The only practical note: later services like reprints are easiest on the provider that issued your card (the printer’s name appears on the card back).

Documents needed

For an individual Indian citizen, the requirement is proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of date of birth — and Aadhaar alone covers all three, which is why the Aadhaar e-KYC mode needs no uploads at all. Alternatives, if you are not using Aadhaar:

• Identity: voter ID, passport, driving licence
• Address: passport, voter ID, driving licence, bank statement, or utility bill (within 3 months)
• Date of birth: birth certificate, Class 10 certificate, passport

For a minor, a parent applies on the child’s behalf with the parent’s documents plus the child’s proof of age; the card carries no photo or signature until updated at 18. Firms, HUFs, and companies apply with their registration documents through Protean or UTIITSL only (no instant e-PAN).

Fees (verified July 2026)

Paperless (fully online) applications get a few rupees’ discount at both providers; the exact amount shows on the payment screen. Re-downloading your e-PAN is free for 30 days after allotment, after which a nominal charge (about ₹8) applies per download.

How to track your PAN application

• Protean: use “Know Status of Your Application” with the 15-digit acknowledgement number.
• UTIITSL: use the “Track PAN Card” tool with the application coupon number or date of birth.
• Instant e-PAN: check under Instant e-PAN → Check Status on the e-filing portal with your Aadhaar number.
• Physical cards ship by post to the address on the form; the tracking consignment number appears once dispatched.

The e-PAN PDF also lands in DigiLocker once you link it, which is the tidiest way to keep it alongside Aadhaar and your other documents. And once you have the PAN, it becomes the key identifier everywhere — from opening bank accounts to GST portal registration and login if you run a business. If any detail is wrong on the card you receive, the fix is a separate change-request flow — covered in our guide to PAN card correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best way to apply for a PAN card online?

If you are an adult with Aadhaar and a linked mobile number, the free instant e-PAN on incometax.gov.in — it takes minutes and the PAN is fully valid. Use Protean or UTIITSL only if you want the physical card or are applying for a minor, NRI, or an entity.

Is the instant e-PAN really free and valid everywhere?

Yes. It is issued by the Income Tax Department itself, digitally signed, and valid for banking, KYC, and tax purposes exactly like a card. You can order a printed version later if needed.

How much does a PAN card cost in 2026?

₹107 for a physical card delivered in India, ₹72 for e-PAN only, through either Protean or UTIITSL; ₹1,017 for delivery abroad. The Aadhaar-based instant e-PAN is free.

What happened to Form 49A?

From 1 April 2026, Form 49A and 49AA were replaced by new forms under the Income-tax Act 2025 — Form 93 for individual Indian citizens, Form 95 for foreign citizens, and Forms 94/96 for entities. PANs issued on the old forms remain fully valid; nothing changes for existing cardholders.

How long does the PAN card take to arrive?

The e-PAN usually arrives by email within 48 hours of a successful paperless application (minutes for instant e-PAN). The physical card typically reaches an Indian address in about two weeks by post.

Can I hold two PAN cards?

No. Holding more than one PAN is an offence with a penalty of up to ₹10,000 under the Income-tax Act. If you were ever allotted two, surrender one through the same Protean/UTIITSL change-request process.

Do I need a PAN card if I have Aadhaar?

They serve different purposes. Aadhaar is identity; PAN is the tax identifier required for filing returns, most bank and investment accounts, and cash transactions above prescribed limits. The law also requires your PAN and Aadhaar to be linked to keep the PAN operative.