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How to Apply for an Instant e-PAN

Apply for a free instant e-PAN through India’s official income-tax portal using Aadhaar and a linked mobile number.

Government ServicesUpdated 2026-08-08Edited by Pramod TiwariReviewed by Pramod TiwariIndia; verified 8 August 2026
2 min read
Process overview for Apply for an Instant e-PAN
A concise overview of the main steps in this guide.

Quick Answer

Eligible individuals who do not already have a PAN can use the official Income Tax e-Filing portal’s Instant e-PAN service, enter Aadhaar, consent to e-KYC, verify the linked mobile OTP, review the Aadhaar details and save the acknowledgement ID.

What You Need

  • Valid Aadhaar
  • Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
  • No existing PAN
  • Individual applicant who meets current eligibility rules

Safety Precautions

  • Do not apply for a second PAN.
  • Use only incometax.gov.in.
  • Never share Aadhaar OTPs.
  • Review eligibility and current rules before submitting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Confirm eligibility

    Read the official prerequisites and confirm that no PAN has already been allotted.

  2. Step 2

    Open Instant e-PAN

    Go to the official e-Filing portal and choose Instant e-PAN, then Get New e-PAN.

  3. Step 3

    Enter Aadhaar

    Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number and accept the consent terms after reading them.

  4. Step 4

    Verify the OTP

    Enter the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

  5. Step 5

    Review the e-KYC details

    Check the name, date of birth and other Aadhaar information before continuing.

  6. Step 6

    Save the acknowledgement

    Record the acknowledgement ID and use the same official service to check status or download the e-PAN.

Practical Example

An eligible adult without a PAN uses the pre-login Instant e-PAN service, verifies Aadhaar with OTP and saves the acknowledgement for status tracking.

Common Mistakes

  • Applying when a PAN already exists
  • Using an unlinked mobile number
  • Entering details on a look-alike portal
  • Losing the acknowledgement ID

Troubleshooting

Aadhaar is already linked to a PAN

Do not submit another application; use the official PAN verification or support process.

Aadhaar authentication fails

Retry the correct OTP and contact UIDAI if Aadhaar details or mobile linkage need correction.

Sources and Review

Reviewed by Pramod Tiwari, Editor; official-source verification on 2026-08-08.

FAQs

Is Instant e-PAN free?

The Income Tax Department states that its Instant e-PAN service is free.

Will I receive a physical card?

The service issues a valid electronic PAN; physical-card requests use a separate process.

Can a minor use this service?

The official prerequisites state that the Instant e-PAN applicant must not be a minor.

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