You can apply for a new PAN card online through the official Protean or UTIITSL portal. Eligible individuals can also get a free Instant e-PAN through the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing portal. The right option depends on whether you need a digital PAN only or want to apply through the regular PAN application process. Before applying, check the eligibility conditions, required documents and applicable fees.
This guide explains the official websites, the pan card apply online application process, the documents you need and how to check your PAN application status.
Official Websites to Apply for a PAN Card Online
You can apply for a new PAN through the following official websites.
- Protean eGov: Apply for PAN
- UTIITSL: PAN Services
- Income Tax Department: PAN Services and Information
- Instant e-PAN: Income Tax e-Filing Portal
For a regular PAN card, apply through the Protean or UTIITSL website and follow the instructions. Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, eligible Indian citizens use Form 93 to apply for a PAN card.
If you got your PAN card when you were a minor and have now turned 18, you don’t need to apply for a new one. You can update your existing PAN card with your latest photo and signature. Learn how to change a minor PAN card into a major PAN card
Apply a New PAN Card Online – Step by Step
The government providing a facility to apply for PAN card online. Follow the below application process of a new PAN Card.
1) Visit the official Protean PAN application website.
2) Under the ‘New Application’ section, choose your Application type and Category option from the drop-down list. For a new PAN card application, select ‘New PAN – Form No. 93 (Indian Citizen)‘ option.
3) Now fill in the rest applicant information in the below form, like name, email, DOB and mobile number, etc. and validate the captcha. On submitting, your request is successfully registered and a Token number is allotted to you. If you leave your application form incomplete and wish to finish it later, you can use this token number to log back in within 30 days
Now click on the ‘Continue’ button to fill remaining PAN form details. You will see the option to fetch your documents directly from DigiLocker. Click on ‘Back to Application’ to continue filling out the form.
4) Under Personal details section, select ‘Aadhaar-based online PAN application’. This option allows you to submit your application online via Aadhaar card. You can also fetch your documents through DigiLocker account.
Enter the last four digits of your Aadhaar number. Select ‘Yes’ to give consent for printing your Aadhaar photograph on your PAN card. Then select your gender.
5) Now enter your father’s and mother’s names in the given fields. Fill in their first, middle and last names, as required. After that, select whether you want your father’s or mother’s name printed on your PAN card and click ‘Next’.
6) On the next page, select your source of income, such as salary, business, house property, other sources or no income. Enter your telephone number and email details. Under ‘Residential Status’, choose ‘Resident’ if applicable. Fill in any other required details.
7) Now you need to select your AO (Assessing Officer) code. Choose the ‘Indian Citizen’ option, select your state and city, and click on ‘Fetch’. A list of AO codes will appear. Select the code that matches your address and click ‘Next’.
8) On the next page, Aadhaar will be selected automatically for identity and address, but you have to provide a document as proof of date of birth. Aadhaar is not accepted as proof of date of birth under the rules effective from 1 April 2026.
In the ‘Declaration’ section, select ‘Self’ under ‘Capacity’. Enter your place and designation, if required, and scroll down to the supporting documents section.
9) Upload the document you selected as proof of date of birth. You can fetch it through DigiLocker if the option is available. Otherwise, select the manual document upload option and upload the file in the format accepted by the portal.
10) After uploading the required documents, review your PAN application details and click on ‘Proceed’. On the next page, select a payment mode to pay the application fee.
11) Check the fee displayed on the portal, accept the terms and conditions, and click on ‘Proceed to Payment’. On the next page, click on ‘Confirm Payment’ and complete the payment. After making the payment, complete the Aadhaar authentication and e-Sign process if required. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number to complete the process.
12) Once your application is successfully submitted, download the acknowledgement receipt and save it for future reference. If the PDF is password-protected, enter your date of birth in the format specified in the receipt instructions to open it.
Keep your acknowledgement number safe so you can track your PAN application status online.
A few hours after submitting your PAN card application form, a digital copy of your PAN card is sent to your email address. Within a few days, your new physical PAN card is also dispatched to your address, the one linked to your Aadhaar.
If you only need a digital PAN card, you can apply for a free Instant e-PAN through the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing portal.
Documents Required for PAN Card Application
For a new PAN card, you need to provide proof of your identity, address and date of birth.
If you apply through the Aadhaar-based online process, Aadhaar card will be used for identity and address proof. However, you must provide another accepted document as proof of date of birth, as Aadhaar is not accepted for this purpose under the rules effective from April 1, 2026.
You can upload the required document manually or fetch it through DigiLocker if the option is available on the portal.
PAN Card Application Fees
Instant e-PAN is free for eligible applicants.
A regular PAN application has a fee. The amount depends on the application method, whether you request a physical laminated PAN card and whether your communication address is in India or abroad.
The Income Tax Department’s current PAN guidance lists the following fees for applicants with an Indian communication address:
- Paper-based application with a physical PAN card: ₹107
- Paper-based application without a physical PAN card: ₹72
- Paperless digital application with a physical PAN card: ₹101
- Paperless digital application without a physical PAN card: ₹66
Additional charges may apply to certain services, such as add signature in PAN Card. Check the fee displayed by the official application portal before making payment, as the final amount depends on the selected service and applicable charges.
Read our guide on Paynearby Pan Card Apply Process.
How to Check PAN Application Status
After submitting your PAN application, save the acknowledgement or reference number provided by the application portal.
To check the status:
- Open the official Protean or UTIITSL website where you submitted the application.
- Find the PAN application status or tracking service.
- Enter the requested acknowledgement or reference details.
- Submit the information to view the current status of your application.
If you applied for Instant e-PAN, open the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing portal, select Instant e-PAN and use the status or download option.