π Aadhaar Card Application Form 2026 β Complete Step-by-Step Guide β
π How to Get PAN Card in 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Apply Online/Offline via NSDL & UTIITSL β’ Documents Required β’ Age Limit β’ Fees βΉ66-72 β’ Instant e-PAN Download
What is PAN Card? Why You Need It in 2026
π‘ PAN = Permanent Account Number
PAN is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code issued by the Income Tax Department of India. It\’s your permanent identity for all financial and tax-related transactions. PAN card is MANDATORY for income tax filing, bank accounts, property purchases, investments, and digital payments. Without PAN, you cannot perform most financial transactions in India.
π― Why You MUST Have PAN Card in 2026
- β Income Tax Filing: Legal requirement if earning above βΉ2.5 lakhs/year
- β Bank Account (Mandatory): Every bank account needs PAN verification
- β Property Purchase: Cannot buy house, land, or property without PAN
- β Digital Payments KYC: Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe require PAN or Aadhaar
- β Mutual Funds & Investments: Investing in mutual funds, stocks, bonds requires PAN
- β Credit Card & Loans: Banks require PAN for credit cards, home loans, personal loans
- β Government Schemes: Many government benefits require PAN verification
- β GST Registration: Running a business? GST registration mandatory with PAN
Key Facts About PAN Card 2026
- No Minimum Age: Even newborns can get PAN
- Permanent for Life: PAN number never changes
- One PAN Per Person: Duplicate application is illegal
- Completely FREE e-PAN: Digital version available instantly
- NRIs Can Apply: Non-Resident Indians eligible for PAN
- Valid Across India: One PAN valid in all 28 states
π Ready to Apply for PAN Card?
Takes just 15-20 minutes to apply online. Instant e-PAN within 30 days. Physical card in 15 days.
β Jump to Online ApplicationWho Can Apply for PAN Card? (Age Limit & Eligibility)
β Anyone Can Get PAN
There is NO age limit for PAN card in India. From newborn to 100+ years oldβeveryone is eligible. Resident Indians, NRIs, foreign nationals, children, students, seniorsβall can apply.
Eligibility Categories
Children (Below 18)
Eligibility: No age limit. Even newborns eligible.
Process: Parent/guardian applies
Documents: Birth certificate + parent\’s Aadhaar
Individuals (18+ Years)
Eligibility: All adults
Process: Apply directly online/offline
Documents: Aadhaar/Voter ID + Address + Photo
Non-Residents
Eligibility: NRI, OCI, foreign citizens
Form: Form 49AA
Fee: βΉ1011 (higher for foreign address)
Companies
Eligible: Partnership, LLP, Companies
Process: Similar to individual
Documents: Registration certificate + MOA
Documents Required for PAN Card Application 2026
β οΈ Photocopies ONLY (Not Originals)
You do NOT need to submit original documents for PAN. Only photocopies are required. For online e-KYC, documents are uploaded as scanned PDF/JPG.
Category 1: Proof of Identity (POI)
- Aadhaar Card (Recommended – easiest)
- Voter ID Card (with photo)
- Passport
- Driving License
- Government ID issued by central/state
- Health Scheme Card (RSBY, ESIC) with photo
Category 2: Proof of Address (POA)
- Aadhaar Card (Simplest option)
- Voter ID Card
- Passport
- Electricity Bill (latest, not >3 months)
- Water/Gas Bill
- Bank Account Statement
- Broadband/Internet Bill
- Rental Agreement
Category 3: Proof of Date of Birth (DOB)
- Aadhaar Card
- Birth Certificate (official)
- Passport
- 10th/12th Pass Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Pension Payment Order
π‘ Pro Tip: Use Aadhaar for All 3 Categories
Aadhaar card can serve as POI + POA + DOB proof simultaneously. This is the easiest & fastest way to apply.
How to Apply for PAN Card Online (NSDL & UTIITSL)
β Fastest & Easiest Method
Online PAN application is fastest. You can apply 24/7 from home, upload documents digitally, pay online, and get instant e-PAN within 30 days. Two official platforms: NSDL and UTIITSL. Both are equally reliable.
Step-by-Step Online Process via NSDL
Visit NSDL Website
Go to www.onlineservices.nsdl.com β Click \”Apply for PAN\” β Click \”Apply Online\”
Choose Application Type
Select \”Form 49A\” for Indian Citizens/NRI/OCI (for NEW PAN application)
Fill Personal Details
Fill: Title, First name, Middle name, Last name, DOB (DD/MM/YYYY), Email, Mobile. Ensure name matches Aadhaar exactly.
Get Acknowledgment Token
Enter CAPTCHA β Click Submit β System generates 15-digit Token Number β Save this number for tracking
Choose Document Submission
Three Options: (A) Digital e-KYC with Aadhaar (FASTEST), (B) e-Sign, (C) Physical Documents. Recommended: e-KYC
Upload Documents & Photos
Upload: POI, POA, DOB proof, Color photo (JPG), Signature scan. File size: 100 KB each
Complete e-KYC Verification
Enter Aadhaar β Get OTP β Enter OTP β Biometric authentication. Instantly matched with UIDAI database
Fill Income Details
Specify: Source of income, Annual income, Residential address (match with proof), Occupational status
Make Online Payment
Fee: βΉ66 (e-KYC) or βΉ72 (physical) | Payment: Debit card, Credit card, Net banking, UPI
Receive PAN Allotment
Processing: 7-15 working days. PAN number emailed. Download e-PAN from portal. Physical card mailed within 10 days
π‘ Quick Recommendation
Choose NSDL for fastest processing. Use e-KYC method with Aadhaar. You\’ll get PAN within 30 days (sometimes 10-15 days).
How to Apply for PAN Card Offline (Postal/In-Person)
β οΈ Slower But Works Without Internet
Offline method is for those without internet access. Processing takes 20-30 days (slower than online). Send physical documents by post/courier to NSDL/UTIITSL.
Step-by-Step Offline Process
Download Form 49A
Download from NSDL/UTIITSL website (PDF), or request from PAN center. Available at tax offices, post offices. Cost: Free or βΉ5-10
Fill Form 49A Carefully
Use black/blue ball pen ONLY. Fill: Name, DOB, address, income. Match name with Aadhaar exactly. Handwriting must be legible. Sign at bottom
Prepare Documents
Gather: POI photocopy, POA photocopy, DOB proof photocopy, Passport-size color photo (2 copies), Signature on white paper. Paste on form
Pay Fee & Get Receipt
Fee: βΉ72 (includes e-PAN). Payment: Cash or demand draft to \”Protean eGov Technology Limited\”. Get acknowledgment number
Send by Registered Post
Address: PAN Processing Center, NSDL, Mumbai (on form). Send by registered post with acknowledgment due. Keep receipt for tracking
Track & Receive PAN
Processing: 10-15 working days after receiving. PAN sent by post (7-10 days delivery). Total: 20-30 days. e-PAN available online in 30 days
Instant e-PAN: Download Digital PAN in 10 Minutes
β Fastest Way to Get PAN: Instant e-PAN
Get PAN in 10 MINUTES without NSDL/UTIITSL. If you have Aadhaar, get instant e-PAN from Income Tax e-Filing portal. No documents, no forms, no fee. Digital PAN issued instantly.
How to Get Instant e-PAN in 10 Minutes
Visit Income Tax Portal
Go to www.incometax.gov.in β Click \”Instant e-PAN\” section
Enter Aadhaar Number
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number. System verifies with UIDAI database instantly
Get & Enter OTP
OTP sent to Aadhaar-registered mobile. Enter OTP. Biometric verification through Aadhaar
Download e-PAN
10-digit PAN generated instantly. Download e-PAN as PDF. No fee, no documents, no processing time
Use e-PAN Immediately
e-PAN is 100% valid immediately. Use for bank account, investments, tax filing, digital payments
π Want PAN in 10 Minutes? Use Instant e-PAN Now
If you have Aadhaar, get instant e-PAN without any documents or fee.
Go to Income Tax Portal βRelated Government Services Guides
πΌ Government Job Notifications
Looking for government job notifications? Check out abhyashsuchi.in/ for latest UPSC, SSC, Bank, Railway, and State Government job updates with complete application guides.
FAQs: Top Questions About PAN Card 2026
βΌ Q1: What is the minimum age to apply for PAN?
A: No minimum age. Even newborns can get PAN. Parents apply on child\’s behalf. At age 18, convert to Major PAN with signature.
βΌ Q2: Can I apply for PAN without Aadhaar?
A: YES, but slower. Use Voter ID/Passport as POI. e-KYC (fastest) requires Aadhaar, but other methods work without it.
βΌ Q3: How long is PAN valid? Do I need to renew?
A: PAN is valid for LIFE. Never expires. Your 10-digit PAN remains same foreverβeven if you change name, address, or country.
βΌ Q4: Can I apply for 2 PAN cards?
A: NO, one PAN per person. Duplicate application is illegal. Penalty: βΉ10,000 fine. If you have old PAN, just retrieve it instead.
βΌ Q5: What if my name/address changes? Can I update PAN?
A: YES, update name/address/occupation. File Form 49AA. Fee: βΉ114. Processing: 10-15 days. PAN number stays same.
βΌ Q6: How to get duplicate PAN card?
A: File Form 49AA on NSDL/UTIITSL. Fee: βΉ114. Processing: 10-15 days. Or download free e-PAN instantly (if within 30 days).
βΌ Q7: Is e-PAN valid? Can I use instead of physical card?
A: YES, 100% valid. e-PAN is accepted everywhere: banks, tax, investments, digital payments. Most people use e-PAN only.
βΌ Q8: How much does PAN cost? Any hidden charges?
A: Transparent fee: βΉ66-72 only. NO hidden charges. Fee includes allotment + e-PAN + physical card + delivery. No renewal fees ever.
βΌ Q9: Can NRI/Foreign citizen get PAN?
A: YES, NRI, OCI, foreigners can apply. Use Form 49AA. Fee: βΉ1011 (higher for foreign address). Processing: 7-15 days.
βΌ Q10: If I have old PAN from 2000s, is it still valid?
A: YES, 100% valid. Old PANs never expire. Use forever. No renewal needed. Update if name/address changed via Form 49AA.
π Ready to Apply for Your PAN Card Today?
It\’s EASY, FAST, and COMPLETELY LEGAL. Choose your method:
π Fastest: Instant e-PAN via Income Tax portal (if you have Aadhaar)
π Standard: Online via NSDL/UTIITSL with documents
π Offline: Download Form 49A, fill manually, send by post
