Income Tax··14 min read

PAN Card Download: Free e-PAN from NSDL, UTIITSL, Aadhaar and DigiLocker

Download your PAN card free through three official routes: the Income Tax e-Filing portal for instant e-PAN via Aadhaar, NSDL Protean if you applied there, or UTIITSL if you applied there. Downloads are free within 30 days of allotment; after that, both NSDL and UTIITSL charge Rs 8.26.

Below: exact steps for each portal, how to get a PAN card copy or PDF, finding a lost PAN number, the DDMMYYYY PDF password, duplicate PAN reprint, Aadhaar link status, and fixes for common download errors.

PAN Card Download: Every Method at a Glance

Which portal works for you depends on how your PAN was originally issued.

PAN Card Download Methods
MethodBest ForRequired Details
Income Tax e-Filing (Instant e-PAN)Aadhaar-linked applicants, freeAadhaar number and OTP
NSDL ProteanPAN applied via NSDLPAN or acknowledgement number
UTIITSLPAN applied via UTIITSLPAN and date of birth
DigiLockerAnyone with an Income Tax-issued PANPAN number and name

What You Need Before Downloading Your PAN Card

Keep these ready; which ones you actually need depends on the method you choose.

Acknowledgement number (if you have it)
PAN number
Aadhaar number
A working mobile number or email for OTP

Download PAN Card Online Using Aadhaar Number

This is the only fully free route with no 30-day condition, and it works specifically for instant e-PAN issued through Aadhaar e-KYC.

1

Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal

Go to the official e-PAN status and download page.

2

Select Check Status or Download PAN

Click Continue under that option.

3

Enter your Aadhaar number

Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and click Continue.

4

Verify with Aadhaar OTP

Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number and click Continue.

5

Download the e-PAN

Once your PAN status shows allotted, click Download e-PAN to save the PDF.

Download PAN Card from NSDL (Protean)

Use this if you applied for your PAN through the NSDL Protean website. You can download by PAN number or by acknowledgement number.

1

Visit the Protean portal

Go to the official NSDL Protean site and select the e-PAN download option matching your allotment date.

2

Choose PAN or acknowledgement number

Enter your PAN, Aadhaar (for individuals), date of birth, and GSTN if applicable, or your acknowledgement number and date of birth.

3

Choose an OTP delivery method

Select email, mobile, or both, tick the declaration, and click Generate OTP.

4

Enter the OTP

Click Validate once entered.

5

Pay if required, then download

If your free downloads are used up, pay the Rs 8.26 fee. The e-PAN PDF is emailed to your registered address.

Download PAN Card from UTIITSL

Use this if you applied for your PAN through UTIITSL rather than NSDL.

1

Visit the UTIITSL e-PAN page

Go to the official UTIITSL download page.

2

Enter your details

Enter your PAN number, date of birth, GSTIN if applicable, and the captcha, then submit.

3

Choose your OTP method

Select email, SMS, or both, tick the declaration, and click Get OTP.

4

Enter the OTP

Click Validate once entered.

5

Pay if required, then download

Complete payment if applicable. The e-PAN link arrives by email; click it to download.

Income Tax Calculator

Your PAN is required for e-filing. Check your FY 2025-26 tax liability before you file.

Open calculator

How to Get a PAN Card Copy or PAN Card Download PDF

The e-PAN PDF downloaded from the Income Tax e-Filing portal, NSDL Protean, or UTIITSL is your official PAN card copy, and it carries a digital signature from the Income Tax Department.

A photocopy of a physical card or a phone screenshot is not the same thing. Banks, brokers, and lenders that run e-KYC check the signed PDF, so keep the original file and its password handy.

Fastest copy: Instant e-PAN on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, using Aadhaar OTP.
Copy for a PAN issued by NSDL or UTIITSL: the e-PAN link emailed after OTP verification.
Copy you can share on request: the PAN record saved in DigiLocker.

Can You Download a PAN Card by Name and Date of Birth Alone?

No. Date of birth is only ever used as a secondary identity check alongside your PAN, acknowledgement number, or Aadhaar number, never as the sole input.

If you do not know your PAN number, retrieve it first using "Know Your PAN" on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, then use that PAN with one of the download methods above.

How to Find Your PAN Number Online

Use the Know Your PAN service on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, which asks for your name, date of birth, and mobile number and confirms them with an OTP.

If you cannot receive the OTP, your PAN is usually printed on documents you already hold.

Form 16 from your employer
Form 26AS or your Annual Information Statement (AIS)
An earlier ITR acknowledgement or filed return
Your bank, demat, or mutual fund KYC records

The PAN card number guide lists every official way to find it. Once you have the number, return to the methods above to download the e-PAN. If your name or date of birth on the PAN record is wrong, the PAN card correction guide covers the fix.

Download PAN Card from DigiLocker

This works only for a PAN issued directly by the Income Tax Department, not one issued through NSDL or UTIITSL as a separate physical card.

1

Sign in to DigiLocker

Use your DigiLocker account.

2

Search Issued Documents

Look for "Income Tax Department" and open PAN Verification Record.

3

Enter your PAN details

Enter your PAN number and the name exactly as printed on your card.

4

Give consent

Tick the consent box and click Get Document.

5

Access anytime

Your PAN record is saved in DigiLocker and can be shared with any requester who accepts DigiLocker documents.

PAN Card Download for NRIs

NRIs use the same NSDL Protean or UTIITSL process as residents, with one practical difference: choosing email over SMS for OTP delivery, since Indian SMS often does not reach a foreign number reliably.

Visit the NSDL Protean or UTIITSL website.
Enter PAN number, date of birth, Aadhaar number (if linked), and captcha, then submit.
Select Email ID for OTP delivery, tick the declaration, and click Generate OTP.
Enter the OTP and click Validate.
Pay the fee if downloading more than 30 days after issuance.
The e-PAN PDF arrives at your registered email; click the link to download.

How to Download a Duplicate PAN Card

If your PAN card is lost or damaged, apply for a reprint on either portal. Downloading the e-PAN alone does not get you a new physical card; the reprint fee covers dispatch of an actual card.

Duplicate PAN Reprint: NSDL vs UTIITSL
StepDetail
Where to applyReprint page on NSDL Protean or UTIITSL, matching your original application portal
VerificationPAN number, date of birth, Aadhaar if required, OTP to registered mobile or email
Dispatch addressConfirmed against your existing PAN database record
FeeRoughly Rs 50 for an Indian address, higher for a foreign address
Delivery time15 to 20 working days after successful payment

PAN Card PDF Password Format

Every e-PAN PDF from NSDL, UTIITSL, or the Income Tax portal is password-protected, and the password is always your date of birth or date of incorporation.

Password format: DDMMYYYY, no slashes or spaces. A date of birth of June 24, 1980 gives the password 24061980.

Common PAN Card Download Errors and How to Fix Them

PAN Card Download Errors and Fixes
IssueFix
OTP not receivedConfirm your mobile is linked to Aadhaar and registered correctly; check network or SMS-blocking settings and retry after a few minutes
"PAN Not Found" errorRe-verify PAN and Aadhaar details; if recently allotted, wait 24 to 48 hours for the record to activate
Incorrect PDF passwordUse your date of birth or incorporation date in DDMMYYYY format, no spaces
Broken or expired download linkSubmit a fresh e-PAN request and use the new link immediately
Lost acknowledgement numberCheck your registered email or SMS inbox, or download using your PAN or Aadhaar number instead

Both checks are pre-login services on the Income Tax e-Filing portal: Verify Your PAN for validity, and Link Aadhaar Status for the Aadhaar link.

1

Verify Your PAN

Enter the PAN, name, and date of birth. The portal tells you whether the PAN is valid and active.

2

Link Aadhaar Status

Enter your PAN and 12-digit Aadhaar number to see whether the two are linked.

3

Act on the result

If the PAN is not linked, complete the link on the same portal before your next filing.

An unlinked PAN can be made inoperative, which blocks refunds and creates trouble at ITR time. Check the status before the ITR filing deadline, not on the last day.

How to Apply for a New e-PAN Online

Apply through Instant e-PAN on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, which issues a PAN free after Aadhaar OTP verification if you do not already hold one.

Your Aadhaar must be linked to an active mobile number. Companies, firms, and other non-individual applicants cannot use this route and apply through NSDL Protean or UTIITSL instead.

Once the e-PAN is allotted, download it using the Aadhaar steps above. Then use the Income Tax Calculator to estimate what you owe before your first return.

Is e-PAN Legally Valid?

Yes. e-PAN is digitally signed by the Income Tax Department and is accepted across India for every purpose a physical PAN card serves.

Filing income tax returns online
Opening bank accounts and completing KYC
Opening a Demat account
Stock market and mutual fund investments
Loan and credit card applications
Passport applications and property purchases

PAN Card Customer Care

If a download fails and the fixes above do not resolve it, contact the portal you applied through directly.

PAN Card Customer Care Numbers and Email
ProviderPhoneToll-FreeEmail
NSDL Protean020-27218080, 080697080801800-222-990tininfo@proteantech.in
UTIITSL033-40802999, +91-33-408029991800-22-0306utiitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com

Frequently Asked Questions: PAN Card Download

How do I download my PAN card online?

Download your e-PAN for free from the Income Tax e-Filing portal if you have an Aadhaar-linked instant e-PAN, or from NSDL Protean or UTIITSL if you applied through one of those two, using your PAN or acknowledgement number plus an OTP.

How do I download my PAN card using my Aadhaar number?

On the Income Tax e-Filing portal, open Instant e-PAN, select Check Status or Download PAN, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, verify with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile, and click Download e-PAN. This route works only for PAN issued through the instant e-PAN facility.

Can I download my PAN card using only my name and date of birth?

No. Every download method needs your PAN number, acknowledgement number, or Aadhaar number, with date of birth used only as a secondary identity check, never as the sole input. If you do not know your PAN, retrieve it first through "Know Your PAN" on the Income Tax portal.

Is PAN card download free?

Yes, within 30 days of your PAN being allotted or last updated. NSDL Protean allows up to three free downloads within that window; after 30 days, both NSDL and UTIITSL charge Rs 8.26 per download. Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar on the Income Tax portal is always free.

What is the PAN card PDF password?

Your date of birth (or date of incorporation for companies) in DDMMYYYY format, with no slashes or spaces. For a date of birth of June 24, 1980, the password is 24061980.

How do I download my PAN card from NSDL (Protean)?

Go to the Protean e-PAN download page, choose PAN number or acknowledgement number, enter your details plus Aadhaar (for individuals) and date of birth, verify with OTP, pay the fee if applicable, and the e-PAN PDF is emailed to your registered address.

How do I download my PAN card from UTIITSL?

Go to the UTIITSL e-PAN download page, enter your PAN number, date of birth, and GSTIN if applicable, verify with an OTP sent to your registered mobile or email, pay the fee if applicable, and download the PDF from the link sent to your email.

How do I download my PAN card from DigiLocker?

Sign in to DigiLocker, search Issued Documents for "Income Tax Department," open PAN Verification Record, enter your PAN number and the name exactly as printed on your card, give consent, and select Get Document.

Is e-PAN legally valid?

Yes. e-PAN is digitally signed by the Income Tax Department and is accepted everywhere a physical PAN card is: ITR filing, bank account opening, Demat accounts, loan and credit card applications, and property purchases.

What is the difference between e-PAN and a physical PAN card?

e-PAN is a password-protected PDF you can store in DigiLocker and use for any KYC or financial purpose. A physical PAN card is the laminated card delivered by post, needed only when an institution specifically asks for a physical identity document.

How do I download a duplicate PAN card if mine is lost or damaged?

Apply for a PAN reprint on the NSDL Protean or UTIITSL website using your PAN number and date of birth, verify by OTP, confirm your dispatch address, and pay the reprint fee. A physical duplicate card typically arrives within 15 to 20 working days; downloading the e-PAN alone does not get you a new physical card.

Why is my OTP not arriving during PAN download?

Confirm your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar and registered correctly in PAN records, check for network or SMS-blocking issues, and retry after a few minutes. If a recently allotted PAN still will not generate an OTP, wait 24 to 48 hours for it to fully activate in the system.

Why does the portal say "PAN Not Found"?

Re-check that the PAN number and Aadhaar details entered match exactly. If your PAN was allotted very recently, the record may not have propagated yet; wait 24 to 48 hours and try again.

Can NRIs download their PAN card online?

Yes, through the same NSDL Protean or UTIITSL process as residents, entering PAN, date of birth, and Aadhaar (if linked), then verifying by OTP sent to email since NRIs often cannot receive Indian SMS. The fee rules are the same 30-day free window followed by Rs 8.26 per download.

Can I download a PAN card for a minor or a company?

Yes. For a minor, use the minor's own PAN and date of birth. For a company, use the incorporation date in place of date of birth, and the OTP goes to the company's registered email rather than a mobile number.

How long is the e-PAN download link valid?

The link sent to your email is typically valid for 24 hours or as stated in the email itself. If it expires, submit a fresh download request rather than trying to reuse an old link.

How do I download my PAN card without OTP?

You cannot. Every official route, whether the Income Tax e-Filing portal, NSDL Protean, or UTIITSL, requires an OTP sent to your registered mobile number or email before it releases the e-PAN.

Can I download my PAN card with only my mobile number?

No. Your mobile number is used only to receive the OTP; you still have to enter your PAN, acknowledgement number, or Aadhaar number on the portal to identify the record.

How do I download my PAN card without Aadhaar linking?

Use the NSDL Protean or UTIITSL portal and enter your PAN or acknowledgement number with your date of birth. The OTP goes to the mobile number or email registered in your PAN record, so keep those details current.

How do I get a PAN card copy or PDF online?

Download the e-PAN PDF from the Income Tax e-Filing portal, NSDL Protean, or UTIITSL. That digitally signed PDF is your official PAN card copy, and it can be stored in DigiLocker for later use.

How do I find my PAN number online?

Use the Know Your PAN service on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, which verifies you with your name, date of birth, and mobile number. You can also find it on Form 16, Form 26AS, your AIS, or an old ITR acknowledgement.

How do I verify a PAN card online?

Use the Verify Your PAN service on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, which confirms whether a PAN is valid and active for the name and date of birth you enter. It does not display the full PAN record.

How do I check my PAN Aadhaar link status?

Open Link Aadhaar Status on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number, and the portal shows whether the two are linked. An unlinked PAN can become inoperative.

How do I apply for an e-PAN online?

Use Instant e-PAN on the Income Tax e-Filing portal if you do not already hold a PAN and your Aadhaar is linked to an active mobile number. The e-PAN is issued free after Aadhaar OTP verification.

How do I download a business PAN card?

Use the NSDL Protean or UTIITSL e-PAN download page, enter the entity's PAN with its date of incorporation, and verify with the OTP sent to the registered email. Instant e-PAN on the Income Tax portal is for individuals only.

Can I download a duplicate PAN card as a PDF?

Yes. The e-PAN PDF is the digital duplicate of your card and can be downloaded again from the portal where your PAN was issued. A physical duplicate needs a separate reprint request with a fee.

CAs and financial advisors can generate detailed Tax Optimization Reports for their clients at ca.fermor.in.

Disclaimer: Portal steps, fees, and contact details are set by the Income Tax Department, NSDL Protean, and UTIITSL, and are subject to change. Always verify current details on the official Income Tax e-Filing portal (eportal.incometax.gov.in) before relying on any information here. Fermor is not affiliated with the Income Tax Department, NSDL, or UTIITSL.