Instant e-PAN with Aadhaar (2026): Free PAN Online, Step by Step

What do you need for Instant e-PAN?

The Income Tax Department's user manual lists these conditions:

• No PAN allotted to you before.
• A valid Aadhaar, with a mobile number linked to it that you can use right now.
• DigiLocker access (you sign in with Aadhaar and a 6-digit security PIN).
• You're not a minor on the day you apply.
• You're not a "representative assessee". That means someone who handles tax for another person, like a guardian or trustee (section 160 of the 1961 Act, section 303 of the Income-tax Act, 2025).

For date-of-birth proof, the portal fetches one of these from DigiLocker, with your consent:

Which details come from Aadhaar?

You don't type your name or upload a photo. The portal copies your details from Aadhaar e-KYC (UIDAI's electronic record):

How long does Instant e-PAN take?

The request itself takes about 10–15 minutes if your Aadhaar mobile, DigiLocker PIN and documents are ready. Many people get their PAN within minutes, but the portal doesn't promise a time. Check the status with your Aadhaar.

1. Minute 0Start Get New e-PANTick declarations, sign in to DigiLocker
2. Next few minutesShare date-of-birth proofChoose the document, tap Allow
3. NextAadhaar e-KYCOTP, then you accept your Aadhaar details
4. Usually minutes, sometimes longerPAN allotmentKeep your acknowledgement number
5. Once allottedDownload e-PAN freeCheck Status / Download e-PAN

Blue = your action · Amber = waiting · Green = government side. Steps are from the Income Tax Department's user manual; it gives no fixed allotment time.

How do you get a new e-PAN with Aadhaar, step by step?

1. Open Instant e-PAN on the e-Filing portal

   Go to incometax.gov.in, tap the Instant e-PAN quick link, then Get New e-PAN. Keep your Aadhaar-linked phone next to you.

2. Confirm you're eligible and give consent

   Tick all four eligibility declarations and the consent box for using DigiLocker data and Aadhaar e-KYC. Tap Continue, read the disclaimer, and continue again. You're sent to DigiLocker.

3. Sign in to DigiLocker

   Enter your Aadhaar number or a 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), plus the captcha. Enter the OTP from your Aadhaar mobile, then your 6-digit DigiLocker security PIN.

   Forgot the PIN? Tap "Forgot security PIN?", verify with an OTP and set a new one.

4. Share your date-of-birth proof

   Select the document to share with the Income Tax Department (see the list) and tap Allow.

   If you see a mismatch error: your Aadhaar details don't match the DigiLocker document. See Problems and fixes.

5. Validate your Aadhaar with OTP

   Back on the e-Filing portal, enter your Aadhaar number and generate the OTP. Enter it within 15 minutes. You get 3 tries, and can tap Resend OTP.

   If it says Aadhaar is already linked with a PAN: you already have a PAN. Don't apply again. See Problems and fixes.

6. Check your details, add father's name and submit

   Your Aadhaar name, date of birth, gender, photo and address appear. Enter your father's name, tick I Accept that, and tap Submit, then Continue.

7. Note the acknowledgement number, and validate email if you like

   A success message shows your acknowledgement number. An SMS also goes to your Aadhaar mobile. To add an email to your PAN, tap Validate Email (or Link Email ID if Aadhaar has none) and enter the OTP. This is optional.

   You'll know it worked when you see the acknowledgement number on screen and get the SMS.

How do you check status and download your Instant e-PAN?

1. Open Check Status / Download e-PAN

   On incometax.gov.in, tap Instant e-PAN, then Continue on the Check Status / Download e-PAN tile.

2. Enter Aadhaar and OTP

   Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar and the OTP from your Aadhaar mobile, then tap Validate Aadhaar OTP and Continue.

3. View or download the PDF

   If the status shows your PAN, tap View e-PAN or Download e-PAN. It's free every time.

   You'll know it worked when the e-PAN shows your PAN, name, date of birth and photo.

   If it says the request failed: apply the regular way. See Problems and fixes.

4. Create your e-Filing account (optional)

   On the same page, tap Create e-Filing Account. After you register, you can also download from Services → View / Download e-PAN. If you skipped email validation earlier, you must do it now.

More on e-PAN PDFs: How to download e-PAN → If the PDF asks for a password, use our e-PAN password helper, or unlock the file in your browser. To confirm your new PAN shows as linked with Aadhaar, use PAN–Aadhaar link status.

How do you get a physical PAN card after Instant e-PAN?

Instant e-PAN doesn't come with a printed card. The Income Tax Department says the e-PAN is a valid form of PAN, so for most uses (bank account, KYC, ITR) the PDF is enough.

If you want a plastic card, order a reprint from Protean or UTIITSL with your PAN: ₹50 for delivery in India, ₹959 abroad. Your PAN number stays the same.

Instant e-PAN or a regular PAN application: which is better?

How to apply for a new PAN the regular way →

Does Instant e-PAN still work after the April 2026 changes?

Yes. From 1 April 2026, the Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026 apply. Regular PAN applications now use new forms (Form 93 for Indian citizens), and the old Form 49A is no longer accepted. Instant e-PAN doesn't use a form, so you can still apply on the e-Filing portal.

The Income Tax Department's user manual, checked on 14 Oct 2026, already refers to the Income-tax Act, 2025. It also shows a newer step: the portal now takes a date-of-birth proof from DigiLocker. Older guides that say "only Aadhaar is needed" leave this out.

What can go wrong, and how do you fix it?

Bottom line

If you're an adult who has never had a PAN, Instant e-PAN is the fastest and cheapest route. Before you start, check that your Aadhaar is correct and your mobile works, and have a date-of-birth document in DigiLocker. If anything doesn't fit, use a regular application.