Quick answer: For PAN card issues, call Protean, formerly NSDL, at 020-27218080, available every day from 7 AM to 11 PM. For UTIITSL-processed PAN cards, call 033-40802999, available 9 AM to 8 PM daily. Neither number is toll free. The only genuinely toll-free PAN helpline is the Income Tax Department’s Aaykar Sampark Kendra at 1800-180-1961.
Which Number Should You Call: Protean or UTIITSL?
Two agencies process PAN applications on behalf of the Income Tax Department: Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL) and UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL). Your application sits with whichever agency processed it, and only that agency can pull up your file.
Check before you dial:
- Look at your PAN acknowledgment receipt. It names “Protean,” “NSDL,” or “UTIITSL” near the top.
- No receipt on hand? Check the back of your physical PAN card for the issuing agency’s name and logo.
- Call the wrong agency and the representative cannot access your record. You will be asked to call the other number, which costs you the wait time twice.
Read more: How to Apply PAN Card Online
Protean (NSDL) PAN Card Customer Care Number
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Call Centre | 020-27218080 |
| Automated IVR | 08069708080 |
| WhatsApp Business | 8096078080 |
| Fax | 020-27218081 |
| Timings | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, all 7 days |
| Registered Office | Protean eGov Technologies Limited, 4th Floor, Sapphire Chambers, Baner Road, Baner, Pune – 411045 |
Call this number for application status, correction requests, reprint tracking, and dispatch delays on any PAN processed through Protean or the erstwhile NSDL.
Read more: How to Register & Login on NSDL
UTI PAN Customer Care Number (UTIITSL)
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Call Centre | 033-40802999 / +91 33 40802999 |
| Timings | 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, open all days |
| utiitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com |
This is the number to use if you applied through a UTIITSL center or the UTIITSL PAN portal, including for correction requests and reprint status.
Is There a PAN Card Customer Care Toll Free Number?
Not from Protean or UTIITSL. Both are standard-rate numbers billed by your telecom operator, regardless of how often they get searched as “toll free.” The one number that is genuinely toll free is the Income Tax Department’s Aaykar Sampark Kendra at 1800-180-1961, and it handles general PAN and tax queries rather than tracking a specific application.
Income Tax Department Helpline (Aaykar Sampark Kendra)
- Toll-free number: 1800-180-1961
- Email: ask@incometaxindia.gov.in
- Best for: PAN eligibility questions, PAN-Aadhaar linking status, and tax queries that are not tied to a Protean or UTIITSL application in progress
Before You Call: What to Keep Ready
- 15-digit acknowledgment number, for a pending application
- Existing PAN, for corrections or reprints
- Registered mobile number and email ID
- Aadhaar number, if the query involves e-KYC or PAN-Aadhaar linking errors
Agents cannot look up a record without at least the acknowledgment number or PAN. Keeping these ready is what turns a twenty-minute call into a five-minute one.
File a Complaint Without Calling
Both agencies run online grievance portals that work when phone lines are busy.
- Protean: Visit the Protean PAN services website, open “Customer Care,” then “Complaints/Queries,” select the query type, and submit your details.
- UTIITSL: Visit the UTIITSL PAN portal, open “Contact Us,” then “For PAN Query,” and use the listed email or online form.
A Regulatory Note for 2026
PAN application forms changed with the new tax code. From April 1, 2026, applications moved from Forms 49A/49AA to Forms 93/94/95/96 under the Income Tax Act, 2025. Protean and UTIITSL are both still processing applications through their existing systems while the PAN 2.0 unified portal remains in testing. If your acknowledgment number was issued after this date, mention the new form number when you call. It helps the agent locate your file faster.
FAQs
What is the PAN card customer care number? Protean, formerly NSDL, can be reached at 020-27218080. UTIITSL is at 033-40802999. Which one applies to you depends on which agency processed your PAN application, shown on your acknowledgment receipt.
Is the PAN card customer care number toll free? No. Both the Protean and UTIITSL numbers are billed at standard rates. The Income Tax Department’s Aaykar Sampark Kendra at 1800-180-1961 is the only toll-free PAN-related helpline.
What is the UTI PAN customer care number? UTIITSL’s PAN customer care number is 033-40802999, also listed as +91 33 40802999. It operates daily from 9 AM to 8 PM.
What is the NSDL, now Protean, customer care number? Protean’s PAN/TDS call centre number is 020-27218080, available daily from 7 AM to 11 PM. An automated IVR line is also available at 08069708080.
How do I know whether to call Protean or UTIITSL? Check your PAN acknowledgment receipt or the back of your PAN card. It names the issuing agency. Calling the wrong one means the agent cannot access your application.
What details do I need before calling PAN customer care? Keep your acknowledgment number, existing PAN if any, registered mobile number, and Aadhaar number ready. This lets the agent pull your record without extra verification steps.
Can I resolve a PAN issue without calling customer care? Yes. Both Protean and UTIITSL run online query and complaint portals on their websites, useful for status checks, corrections, and grievance filing without a phone call.
Related PAN guides and tools: Lost or damaged your card? See our PAN card reprint guide. Business or entity PAN? Check the TIN PAN card guide. Need to resize a photo before your next application? Use the free PAN card photo resize tool.