How to Apply for e-Pan Card?

ARUOS5069A

I had an OTP problem when I first tried it, so check your Aadhaar mobile number before starting.

The current process sends an OTP to the mobile number linked with Aadhaar. If Aadhaar isn't linked to an active mobile number, the Instant e-PAN process won't work as intended. The Income Tax Department specifically lists the Aadhaar-linked mobile number as a prerequisite.

Another thing to know is that you don't normally need to upload a scanned photograph or signature for this Aadhaar-based process. The Department's e-PAN FAQ says physical KYC paperwork, scanned photo/signature uploads and in-person verification aren't required for the online e-KYC process.

After applying, you can check the request status from the Instant e-PAN section. Once the PAN has been generated, the portal provides an option to view or download it.

If your Aadhaar information is outdated, I'd sort that out first rather than repeatedly submitting the e-PAN request. The information pulled through Aadhaar/DigiLocker needs to be usable for the PAN process.

Yes, you can get an e-PAN online, but there is an important eligibility condition that confused me initially.

Instant e-PAN is for someone who has not already been allotted a PAN. It's not a replacement service for someone who already has a PAN but has lost their card.

The Income Tax Department currently lists these main prerequisites:

• Valid Aadhaar
• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
• Applicant must not be a minor
• Applicant must not fall under the specified Representative Assessee category
• Access to DigiLocker is required under the current process

It's also free.

My advice would be to use the Income Tax Department's e-Filing portal rather than entering Aadhaar details on a random third-party website.

Also, don't worry if you're specifically looking for a physical card. Instant e-PAN gives you a digitally signed electronic PAN. The Income Tax Department's guidance says a physical PAN card can be requested separately after PAN has been allotted.

So there are really two separate things: getting the PAN number/e-PAN and getting a printed physical PAN card.

I generated mine through the Income Tax e-Filing portal and the process was much easier than I expected.

If you haven't been allotted a PAN before, the official Instant e-PAN service is the route I used. The Income Tax Department says the service is available to individuals who don't already have a PAN and have a valid Aadhaar with a mobile number linked to it.

I went to the e-Filing portal, selected Instant e-PAN, and then selected Get New e-PAN. After entering my Aadhaar number, I completed the OTP verification using the mobile number linked to Aadhaar.

One thing I didn't realize beforehand was the DigiLocker part. The current process can use DigiLocker to obtain supporting date-of-birth information.

I didn't have to visit a PAN center or submit physical paperwork for the Instant e-PAN process.

After submitting the request, I kept the acknowledgement number because the portal lets you check the status later.

Just make sure you actually don't already have a PAN. The Instant e-PAN service isn't meant to issue another PAN to someone who already has one.

If you already have a PAN card, you should not apply for a new e-PAN. The e-PAN is simply the electronic version of the PAN allotted to you. In my case, I was able to download my e-PAN online after my PAN application was approved.