Independent guide · Not the Income Tax Department, Protean or UTIITSL · We never ask for your PAN, Aadhaar number or OTP.
Do Your PAN and Aadhaar Names Match? (Name Checker)
Type your name exactly as printed on PAN and on Aadhaar. The checker shows what kind of difference you have: initials, a missing word, spelling, word order, or a different surname. It explains what that may mean for PAN–Aadhaar linking and bank KYC, and which record to correct. It is a guide, not the official check.
Compare your PAN and Aadhaar names
Nothing you type leaves your phone. The check runs in your browser and nothing is saved. This is a guide, not the official check.
JavaScript is off, so the checker can't run. Use the table in how this tool works to find your type of difference.
How does this checker work, and what rules does it use?
The official systems don't publish exactly how they match names. So this checker only sorts your names into common types of difference. It then tells you what the official pages say about each one.
- Cleaning: it ignores capitals, extra spaces, dots, commas, hyphens and apostrophes. It removes a title at the start: Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss, Shri, Shree, Smt, Kumari, Km or Dr.
- Initials: a single letter that matches the first letter of a word on the other card.
- Spelling: words that differ by 1 letter (words up to 4 letters), 2 letters (5–8 letters) or 3 letters (longer words).
- Limits: it reads English letters only. Joined initials like "RK" are not recognised, so type them as "R K". It can't tell you whether the official check will pass.
If JavaScript is off, use this table instead.
| Type of difference | Example (dummy names) | What it may mean for linking | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exactly the same | SUNITA DEVI / SUNITA DEVI | No name problem | If linking fails, check date of birth and gender |
| Only capitals, spaces, dots or a title | Smt. Sunita Devi / SUNITA DEVI | Smallest kind of difference; official handling not published | Use the name without titles on every form |
| Initials vs full name | R K SHARMA / RAJESH KUMAR SHARMA | May count as minor and pass with an Aadhaar OTP; not guaranteed | To print the full name on PAN, update Aadhaar first; name change guide |
| Missing or extra middle name | RAJESH SHARMA / RAJESH KUMAR SHARMA | May count as minor; not guaranteed | Use the full name on both |
| Different word order | SHARMA RAJESH / RAJESH SHARMA | Not stated officially | Make both follow the order on your other IDs |
| Small spelling difference | SUNITA / SUNEETA | May count as minor; not guaranteed | Correct the wrong card with ID proof showing the right spelling |
| Surname changed (for example, after marriage) | PRIYA SHARMA / PRIYA VERMA | Likely to fail | Update the older record with proof of the change; documents |
| Completely different name | PRIYA SHARMA / NEHA VERMA | UIDAI says linking fails | Correct PAN (CR-01) or Aadhaar (UIDAI) |
| Date of birth differs | 01-01-1990 / 10-01-1990 | Must be exactly the same; linking fails | Correct date of birth; Aadhaar isn't DOB proof for PAN |
| Gender differs | Male / Female | Must be exactly the same; linking fails | Correct the wrong record |
Rules come from UIDAI's PAN–Aadhaar FAQ, the e-Filing Link Aadhaar FAQs and the CR-01 correction order. See the sources at the end.
"Changing the name on PAN gives you a new PAN number." It doesn't. A correction updates the details linked to your existing PAN, and the new card carries the same 10-character number. Applying for a second PAN creates a duplicate you'll have to surrender.
What should you do after checking?
- PAN name wrong: file CR-01 with Protean or UTIITSL. It costs ₹107 with a printed card, or ₹72 for e-PAN only. See how to change your name in PAN.
- Date of birth or gender wrong on PAN: see correct date of birth in PAN or PAN correction.
- Aadhaar wrong: update it with UIDAI, online through myAadhaar for some details or at an Aadhaar centre. See change your name in Aadhaar and our Aadhaar guide to fixing a name or DOB mismatch.
- Names now match: link PAN with Aadhaar, then check the link status.
- Still failing: read PAN–Aadhaar linking problems. The e-Filing FAQs also mention biometric authentication at Protean or UTIITSL centres, for a charge.
What can go wrong, and how do you fix it?
| Your situation | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The checker says "small difference", but linking still fails | The official check didn't treat it as minor, or DOB or gender differs | Correct the wrong record, then link again. See linking problems. |
| Corrected PAN still shows the old name | PAN prints the Aadhaar name, and Aadhaar wasn't updated | Update Aadhaar first, then file a new CR-01 with e-KYC. |
| Aadhaar won't accept another name update | UIDAI allows a name update only twice | Correct PAN instead if PAN is the wrong one; otherwise contact UIDAI. |
| Aadhaar OTP doesn't arrive | The mobile linked with Aadhaar is old or inactive | Update the mobile in Aadhaar at an Aadhaar centre, then try again. |
| Bank refund pre-validation fails on e-Filing | Bank account name differs from your PAN record | Ask the bank to update the account name to match PAN, then click Re-Validate. See link PAN with your bank account. |
"Name mismatch" scams
- Treat any call or message asking for an OTP as a red flag. Your Aadhaar OTP can sign forms in your name.
- Don't click links in messages saying "PAN name mismatch, update now or your PAN will be blocked".
- Nobody can give you a "fresh PAN" with a new name. That creates a duplicate PAN.
- Lost money? Call the cybercrime helpline 1930 quickly. PAN fraud guide →
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official PAN–Aadhaar name check?
No. It is a guide made by an independent counter. Only the e-Filing portal and UIDAI decide whether your names match, and they don't publish their exact rules.
Can I link PAN and Aadhaar if my name is slightly different?
UIDAI says a minor name mismatch can be cleared with an Aadhaar OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile. A completely different name fails, and you must correct PAN or Aadhaar first.
My PAN has initials and Aadhaar has my full name. What should I do?
This is the kind of small difference an Aadhaar OTP may clear. If you want the full name on PAN, file CR-01. Field 1B takes the Aadhaar name as it is, and field 1A takes your full name.
Which should I correct, PAN or Aadhaar?
Correct the one that is wrong. Since 1 April 2026, PAN prints the Aadhaar name, so if Aadhaar is wrong, fix Aadhaar first. UIDAI allows a name update only twice, so don't change Aadhaar just to match a wrong PAN.
Can the linking go through if only my date of birth differs?
No. UIDAI says the date of birth and gender must be exactly the same in PAN and Aadhaar. Correct the wrong record first, then link again.
My surname changed after marriage. Do I have to update PAN?
The official pages we checked don't make it compulsory. But your PAN, Aadhaar, bank and investment records should use the same name, or linking and KYC checks may fail.
Does the checker save or send my name?
No. It runs only in your browser. Nothing you type leaves your phone, and nothing is stored. Never type your PAN or Aadhaar number into it.
Can I type my name in Hindi?
No. PAN prints the name in English, so type it in English letters exactly as printed. On Aadhaar, copy the English line.
Bottom line
Small name differences may pass with an Aadhaar OTP, but a different name, date of birth or gender stops linking. Decide which card is wrong, fix it before paying the ₹1,000 fee, then link again. For PAN corrections, call Protean on 020-27218080 or UTIITSL on 033-40802999. For linking, call e-Filing on 1800 103 0025.
Sources
- UIDAI – PAN–Aadhaar FAQ (minor name mismatch and Aadhaar OTP; date of birth and gender exactly same) (accessed 16 Oct 2026)
- Income Tax e-Filing – Link Aadhaar FAQs (correct PAN or Aadhaar; biometric authentication at centres) (accessed 16 Oct 2026)
- Income Tax Department – PAN (CR-01, Aadhaar name printed on PAN) (accessed 16 Oct 2026)
- Our fact-checked guides: change name in PAN, correct date of birth, linking problems (16 Oct 2026)
Page history: 16 Oct 2026, first version.