How to Change the Photo or Signature on Your PAN Card?

Why would you change the photo or signature on your PAN?

Your PAN number never changes. The card, though, carries a photo and a signature that can go out of date. People usually update them for one of these reasons:

• The photo is old or unclear. A card made 15 years ago may not look like you now. A blurred or dark print can cause trouble when a bank or office checks your face.
• You got your PAN as a child. Protean says a minor's PAN card does not carry the child's photo or signature. After 18 you add both. PAN for minors →
• Your signature has changed. Banks, brokers and some offices compare the signature on your PAN with the one on their forms. A mismatch can hold up an account opening or a cheque.
• The card was damaged. If the photo has faded or the lamination has peeled, a photo update gives you a fresh card too.

All of these use Form CR-01, the "change or correction in PAN data" form for individuals. Since 1 April 2026, it replaced the old change request form. If you also need to fix your name, date of birth or address, you can do it in the same application. How PAN correction works →

What are the main ways to apply?

For most individuals, Protean's online change request offers these three ways to submit (Protean also lists a DSC-based option). UTIITSL has similar paperless and physical options; check its site for the exact labels.

In the e-KYC mode, Protean asks whether you are OK with your Aadhaar photo being printed on the PAN card. If you select "No", the portal asks you to pick another mode. Protean's guide also says a card made through e-KYC may come with a blank strip for your signature, while the e-PAN shows "Digitally Signed". If a matching printed signature matters to your bank, scanned images or paper may suit you better.

What size should the photo and signature be?

The rules differ for the paper form and for uploads. Follow the one that matches your route.

Protean's page for printed acknowledgements still mentions 3.5 × 2.5 cm photos. The official CR-01 form says 4.5 × 3.5 cm. If in doubt, use the size printed on the form or acknowledgement you are filling.

How much does it cost, and which documents do you need?

Protean charges the same fees for a change request as for a new PAN. Amounts include GST.

The Income Tax Department lists an e-Sign charge of ₹5.90 for digital applications. A shop or agent may add a service charge; ask for the official receipt.

Documents to keep ready

• Proof of your PAN: a copy of your current PAN card or e-PAN.
• Proof of identity, address and date of birth, as the form asks. In the e-KYC mode, Aadhaar covers identity and address. Which documents are accepted →
• A copy of Aadhaar, if you quote it in the physical mode.
• The new photo and signature, unless you use the Aadhaar photo.

If you lost the card and only want a copy with no changes, a reprint is cheaper. Reprint a lost PAN card →

How do you change the photo or signature online?

These steps follow Protean's portal. UTIITSL works in a similar way. You need a working Aadhaar OTP for both paperless modes.

1. Open the change request and enter basic details

   On Protean, open onlineservices.proteantech.in and choose the option for changes or correction in existing PAN data (Protean's guide calls it Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data/Reprint; the label may vary). Select the category Individual. Enter your name, date of birth, email and mobile, then submit.

   You'll know it worked when a token number appears and arrives by email. Use it to resume if the session times out.

2. Choose how you'll submit

   Pick Submit digitally through e-KYC & e-Sign to use your Aadhaar photo. Pick Submit scanned images through e-Sign to upload your own photo or a new signature. Use the finder if unsure.

   If you select "No" to the Aadhaar photo question: the portal sends you back to choose another mode. Choose scanned images.

3. Tick the photo or signature box

   Enter your PAN. Fill every mandatory field exactly as it is now, and tick only the boxes for what you want changed. Protean's guides call these boxes Photo Mismatch and Signature Mismatch; the wording on your screen may differ. Tick both to change both.

   If you tick other boxes by mistake: go back with Edit before final submission. After that, you may not be able to change it.

4. Upload the photo, signature and proofs

   In scanned-images mode, upload the photo and signature in the sizes shown above, plus your proof of PAN and other proofs. A preview appears in the box. In e-KYC mode, there's no photo upload.

   You'll know it worked when the preview shows a clear face and a complete signature.

   If the upload fails: the file is often over 50 kB or not a JPG. Resize it and try again.

5. Pay and sign with Aadhaar OTP

   Choose a printed card or e-PAN only, and pay online using the options the portal shows. Then continue to e-KYC authentication and enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

   You'll know it worked when you get an acknowledgement with a 15-digit acknowledgement number by email.

   If no OTP arrives: your mobile may not be linked to Aadhaar. Use the paper route instead.

6. Track the request and download the e-PAN

   Track with your acknowledgement number on the same site; see how to check PAN application status. Once processed, download the updated e-PAN and wait for the card by post. Download e-PAN → The PDF is password-protected; our e-PAN password helper shows which password to use.

How do you change it on paper or at a PAN centre?

Use this route if you have no Aadhaar OTP, or prefer to sign by hand. You can fill CR-01 on paper and hand it in at a PAN centre of Protean or UTIITSL. Or fill it online, choose Forward application documents physically, and post the papers.

1. Get the current CR-01 form

   Download CR-01 from the Income Tax Department's PAN page, or ask at a PAN centre. Old change request forms are not accepted after 31 March 2026.

2. Fill the form and tick the right box

   Write in English, in block letters, preferably in black ink, one character per box. Enter your PAN. Tick the box in the left margin next to each item you want changed.

3. Paste the photos

   Paste one photo in each photo box. Don't staple or clip them. Sign across the left photo so the signature touches both the photo and the form. Keep the right photo clean.

   If any mark covers your face on the right photo: Protean warns the application may not be processed. Use a fresh photo.

4. Sign inside the box

   Sign, or give a left thumb impression, inside the box at the bottom right. This becomes the signature on your new card, so sign the way you sign at your bank. A thumb impression must be attested by a Magistrate, Notary Public, Oath Commissioner or Gazetted Officer.

5. Submit and pay

   At a centre, pay and collect the acknowledgement. For an online physical-mode application, send the signed acknowledgement, photos and proofs to the address printed on it. Write "APPLICATION FOR PAN – N-[15-digit acknowledgement number]" on the envelope.

   You'll know it worked when the status no longer says documents are pending.

   Papers must reach Protean within 15 days of applying online, or the request can be delayed.

What happens after you apply?

• Same PAN number. A change request updates your details. It doesn't create a new PAN, so your bank and tax records stay linked.
• New card and e-PAN. You get a fresh card with the new photo or signature, if you chose one, plus an updated e-PAN. The e-PAN is a digitally signed electronic PAN.
• Free e-PAN download for a while. Protean allows free download for about 30 days, UTIITSL for one month. After that it costs ₹8.26.
• Timing. Protean's own guide mentions roughly 7 to 15 working days, but times vary. Track your status rather than relying on a date.
• Update others. Give your bank or broker a copy of the new card if they flagged a signature mismatch.

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

Bottom line

Use Form CR-01 to change your PAN photo or signature. Choose e-KYC if your Aadhaar photo is fine, scanned images if you want your own photo or signature, and paper if you have no Aadhaar OTP. Pay only ₹66–₹107 in India, and keep your acknowledgement number. For help, call Protean on 020-27218080 or UTIITSL on 033-40802999.