How to Apply for PAN Card Online in India: Complete Guide

Applying for a PAN card online starts with choosing the correct application method. Eligible individuals can use the Income Tax Department’s free Instant e-PAN service, while other applicants may need to apply through the appropriate standard PAN application channel. This guide explains how to choose the right route, prepare your documents, submit a new PAN application and check its status under the requirements applicable in 2026.

How Can You Apply for a PAN Card Online?

You can apply for a new PAN Card through the official Income Tax Department e-Filing portal or the applicable standard application services provided by Protean eGov Technologies and UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL).

The right option depends on your eligibility, applicant category and whether you need an electronic PAN or a physical card.

Use the official Income Tax Department e-Filing portal to check Instant e-PAN eligibility. For standard applications, consult the official Protean PAN services or UTIITSL PAN portal.

Choose the Right PAN Application Method

1. Instant e-PAN through the Income Tax Department

Instant e-PAN allows eligible individuals who do not already have a PAN to obtain a digitally signed PAN electronically without paying an application fee.

According to the Income Tax Department, applicants must have:

• A valid Aadhaar number.
• An active mobile number linked to Aadhaar for OTP authentication.
• Access to DigiLocker for retrieving the required supporting information.
• No PAN already allotted to them.
• Eligibility under the service's other applicable conditions.

Minors and certain representative assessees are not eligible for this service. Applicants who cannot satisfy the requirements must consider another application route.

Visit the official Instant e-PAN service for the current eligibility rules and instructions.

2. Standard PAN application through Protean or UTIITSL

If you are ineligible for Instant e-PAN, need a physical card through a standard service, or fall into an applicant category that requires a different process, check the relevant application service offered by Protean or UTIITSL.

Choose the service that supports your applicant category and required delivery method. Follow the current instructions for the applicable form, document submission, authentication and payment.

For detailed provider-specific instructions, see Visament’s Protean PAN application guide and UTIITSL PAN application guide.

Who Can Apply and Which PAN Form Should You Use in 2026?

Indian residents, eligible non-resident Indians (NRIs), foreign citizens and non-individual entities may apply for a PAN through the appropriate channel, subject to the applicable rules and documentation requirements.

The correct application route depends on the applicant's legal status and circumstances.

Important change from 1 April 2026: The Income Tax Department confirms that new PAN applications filed on or after this date must use the applicable forms prescribed under the Income-tax Rules, 2026. The new forms include Forms 93, 94, 95, 96, 134 and 135. The appropriate form depends on the application category and purpose. Do not automatically follow older instructions referring to Forms 49A or 49AA.

Existing PANs remain valid; the introduction of new PAN application forms does not mean existing PAN holders need to apply again.

Consider these general distinctions before proceeding:

• Individual residents: Check Instant e-PAN eligibility first.
• NRIs and foreign citizens: Follow the applicable standard application route and documentation requirements for your circumstances.
• Minors: Use the appropriate minor PAN application process. 
• Companies, firms and other entities: Use the form and application procedure prescribed for the relevant entity category to apply for a Business PAN Card.

Steps to Apply for a PAN Card Online

The exact steps vary by application route. The following process explains how to proceed without confusing Instant e-PAN with a standard application.

Step 1: Open the appropriate official portal

If you meet the Instant e-PAN requirements, visit the Income Tax Department e-Filing portal and select Instant e-PAN under Quick Links.

If you are using a standard application, visit the official Protean or UTIITSL portal and select the appropriate new PAN application service.

Avoid sponsored advertisements or unofficial websites that imitate government services.

Step 2: Select the correct application category

Read the eligibility conditions and choose the category that accurately describes the applicant.

Individual applications, applications for minors, overseas applications and applications for non-individual entities may follow different requirements. Selecting an unsuitable category can lead to delays or requests for additional information.

Step 3: Enter your personal or entity details

Provide the information requested by the application portal. Depending on the route, this may include:

• Full legal name.
• Date of birth or incorporation.
• Contact details.
• Residential or registered address.
• Applicant category and other identifying information.

Check spelling, dates and other details against your supporting documents before submitting the application.

Step 4: Complete authentication and provide supporting information

For Instant e-PAN, follow the Aadhaar-based authentication instructions and provide the required consent for retrieving information through DigiLocker.

For a standard application, follow the prescribed identity verification and document-submission process. Depending on the selected service, electronic authentication, digital signatures or supporting document uploads may be required.

Do not assume that Aadhaar alone satisfies every requirement for every applicant category.

Step 5: Review the applicable application form

For applications filed from 1 April 2026, ensure that the form prescribed under the Income-tax Rules, 2026 is selected.

Review all information carefully before submission. If the portal identifies missing fields, inconsistent details or incomplete documentation, resolve those issues before proceeding.

Step 6: Pay the applicable fee, if required

Instant e-PAN is free for eligible applicants. Standard application services may charge a fee depending on the application method, physical-card delivery and destination address.

Use only the payment facility provided through the official application service. Save the payment confirmation or receipt when a fee is charged.

Step 7: Submit the application and save the reference number

Complete the final submission and save the acknowledgement, application reference or request number provided by the service.

For Instant e-PAN, retain the acknowledgement number displayed after submitting the request. For standard applications, follow the provider's instructions for tracking the submitted application.

Documents and Information Required

The documents required for a new PAN application depend on the applicant category and application route.

Before starting, prepare the following where applicable:

• Identity information: Details that establish the applicant's identity.
• Address information: The residential, communication or registered address required by the selected application.
• Date-of-birth or incorporation evidence: Supporting information appropriate to the applicant.
• Aadhaar and linked mobile number: Required for the Aadhaar-based Instant e-PAN route.
• Contact details: A valid mobile number and email address where requested.
• Applicant-specific documents: Additional evidence for minors, overseas applicants or non-individual entities, as applicable.

Instant e-PAN uses Aadhaar-based e-KYC and retrieves prescribed date-of-birth evidence through DigiLocker. Standard applications may require a different combination of documents or verification.

Check the documents required for PAN Card list on the relevant official portal before submission. Do not rely on an old checklist if the application forms or requirements have changed.

PAN Card Application Fees

The fee for applying for a new PAN card online depends on the application method, communication address and whether you want a physical PAN card or only an electronic PAN.

As per the published fee schedule for the new PAN application forms, the charges are:

If you need a detailed breakdown of charges for different application types, read our guide to PAN card fees.

Important: Eligible individuals can apply for Instant e-PAN free of charge through the Income Tax Department’s official portal. This facility has specific eligibility requirements and does not apply to every applicant. Before making payment, check the latest fee displayed on the official application portal, as charges may vary by service and delivery address.

What Happens After You Submit the Application?

After submission, the application is processed according to the selected service's requirements. The next steps may include verification, PAN allotment and electronic or physical delivery, depending on the route.

Keep your acknowledgement or reference number safe so that you can check the progress of your request.

For Instant e-PAN, return to the Income Tax Department's Instant e-PAN service to check the request status or download the e-PAN when it becomes available. For a standard application, use the tracking facility of the provider through which you applied.

If you need a copy of a PAN that has already been allotted, use the appropriate PAN card download service instead of submitting a fresh application.

Do not assume a fixed PAN Card processing time or delivery date unless the relevant official service provides a current estimate for your application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these errors when applying for a new PAN online:

• Applying for another PAN: If you already have a PAN, do not request a second one. Use the appropriate PAN Card correction, reprint or download service.
• Choosing the wrong form: Follow the form requirements applicable from 1 April 2026.
• Entering inconsistent information: Check your name, date of birth and other details against the supporting records.
• Assuming everyone qualifies for Instant e-PAN: Confirm eligibility before beginning the process.
• Using an unofficial website: Verify the portal address before entering personal information or making a payment.
• Sharing OTPs with others: Enter authentication codes only through the intended official process. Never disclose OTPs or sensitive identity details to an unverified person.
• Losing the acknowledgement number: Save the confirmation and payment receipt, if applicable, for future reference.

Final Guidance

To apply for a PAN card online, start by checking whether you qualify for free Instant e-PAN. If not, choose the appropriate standard application route, follow the current 2026 form requirements, submit accurate information and retain your acknowledgement number. Always verify eligibility, documents and fees through the relevant official portal before completing your application.

Need help understanding your PAN application requirements? Explore the relevant Visament guidance for your applicant category and application route.