Getting a PAN card no longer necessarily requires visiting an agent or making repeated trips to an office. The Income Tax Department provides online facilities for applying for a new PAN, obtaining an Instant e-PAN and updating eligible PAN details.
A PAN is widely used for income-tax-related work and various financial transactions. If you need a new PAN or want to correct details such as your name, date of birth or address, the application can be submitted through authorised online channels.
How to Apply for a New PAN Online
For eligible individuals who have never been allotted a PAN, the Income Tax Department offers the Instant e-PAN facility through its e-Filing portal. The service is free and uses Aadhaar-based authentication. The Aadhaar must have an active mobile number linked to it, and the applicant must meet the eligibility conditions.
To apply, visit the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing portal and select Instant e-PAN from the Quick Links section. Choose Get New e-PAN, enter the required Aadhaar details and complete OTP verification using the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
The Income Tax Department states that the Instant e-PAN service provides a digitally signed PAN in electronic format at no cost. Applicants can also check the status of a pending request and download the e-PAN through the portal.
For applicants who want a physical PAN card or need to use other PAN application services, applications can also be submitted through authorised service providers such as UTIITSL. UTIITSL currently lists charges of ₹107 for a physical PAN card along with an e-PAN for delivery in India, while an e-PAN-only application is listed at ₹72.
How to Correct PAN Card Details
If there is an error in your PAN information, you can submit a change or correction request online.
Depending on the information being changed, applicants may need to provide supporting documents. The correction process can be used for eligible details such as name, date of birth, address and other PAN-related information.
UTIITSL also provides an online correction facility, while the Income Tax Department has Aadhaar-based options for certain updates. PAN holders should use the appropriate authorised portal and provide accurate supporting information when submitting a correction request.
It is also important to remember that an existing PAN number does not need to be replaced simply because of the PAN 2.0 project. Existing valid PAN cards continue to remain valid unless the holder needs an update or correction.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PAN Card?
The timeline depends on the type of application and the service used. With the Instant e-PAN facility, an eligible applicant can obtain a digitally signed PAN electronically through the Income Tax Department’s portal. The service is designed specifically to provide an electronic PAN without the need for a traditional physical application process.
For applications involving a physical PAN card, delivery depends on the processing and dispatch procedure of the authorised service provider. Therefore, applicants should track their application through the relevant portal rather than relying on a fixed delivery period.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general informational purposes and is based on information available from the Income Tax Department and authorised PAN service providers. PAN fees, procedures, eligibility requirements and processing timelines may change. Applicants should verify the latest details on the official government or authorised service-provider portals before submitting an application.