Individual taxpayers can download their PAN card using only their Aadhaar number, free, on the Income Tax e-Filing portal, if the PAN was issued through Instant e-PAN. Everyone else needs their PAN number and can download it from Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL. Business owners should also check their own PAN-Aadhaar status, since it affects GST registration, vendor payments, and TDS compliance.
How to Download PAN Card by Aadhaar Number (Free)
Works only if your PAN was issued via Instant e-PAN.
Steps:
- Go to incometax.gov.in
- Under Quick Links, click Instant e-PAN
- Click Continue under Check Status / Download PAN
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile
- Click Download e-PAN
Eligibility:
- Individual taxpayers only, not firms, HUFs, or companies
- Aadhaar linked to an active mobile number
- PAN issued through Instant e-PAN
- Only one PAN held
File password: Date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (e.g., 15 May 1990 = 15051990). Update DOB on the portal first if only the birth year is on record.
Download PAN Using Aadhaar on NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL
For PANs issued the traditional way, see the full range of download methods — you need the PAN number, not just Aadhaar.
Protean (NSDL):
- Visit the Protean e-PAN portal
- Enter PAN, date of birth, Aadhaar number
- Verify OTP and download
UTIITSL:
- Visit pan.utiitsl.com > Download e-PAN
- Enter PAN, date of birth, GSTIN (if any)
- Verify OTP and download
| Portal | What You Need | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax e-Filing | Aadhaar + OTP | Free, unlimited | PANs issued via Instant e-PAN |
| Protean (NSDL) | PAN + DOB + Aadhaar | Free for 3 downloads/30 days, small fee after | Traditionally issued PANs |
| UTIITSL | PAN + DOB + GSTIN | Free for 3 downloads/30 days, small fee after | Traditionally issued PANs |
Why This Matters for Indian Businesses
PAN is issued to individuals, firms, LLPs, and companies alike, but Aadhaar linking under Section 262 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 (formerly Section 139AA) applies only to individual PAN holders.
- Sole proprietors: Your business PAN is your personal PAN. An inoperative PAN blocks GST refunds, ITC claims, and business banking, not just personal filings.
- GST registration: Applying at gst.gov.in requires Aadhaar authentication of the applicant’s PAN. An unlinked PAN can stall approval.
- Paying vendors and contractors: If a payee’s PAN is inoperative, you must deduct TDS at the higher rate (up to 20%), or you risk a tax demand for short deduction. Check vendor PAN-Aadhaar status before large payments.
- Companies, LLPs, partnership firms: The entity PAN itself is not subject to Aadhaar linking. But every director’s or partner’s individual PAN still needs to be linked for their own compliance and to avoid personal TDS issues.
- Employers: The same 20% TDS exposure applies to salary and professional fee payments if an employee’s or consultant’s PAN is inoperative.
Quick Facts: PAN-Aadhaar Linking
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Section 262, Income Tax Act 2025 (was Section 139AA, 1961 Act) |
| Who must link | PAN holders allotted PAN on/before 1 July 2017 |
| Deadline | Expired (general deadline was 31 May 2024; last extension 31 Dec 2025) |
| Penalty | ₹1,000, one-time |
| Payment head | e-Pay Tax, Minor Head 500, Major Head 0021 |
| Reactivation time | Up to 30 days after payment and linking |
| SMS format | UIDPAN <Aadhaar number> <PAN number> to 567678 or 56161 |
| Exempted | NRIs, age 80+, residents of Assam, Meghalaya, J&K |
How to Know If Aadhaar Is Linked With PAN
Online:
- incometax.gov.in > Quick Links > Link Aadhaar Status
- Enter PAN and Aadhaar number
- Click View Link Aadhaar Status
Result shows: Linked / Pending / Linked to Another PAN / Not Linked
By SMS: Send UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN> to 567678 or 56161. Reply confirms status.
How to Link PAN With Aadhaar by SMS
Also works to link Aadhaar with a PAN card by SMS if you skip the portal.
- Pay the ₹1,000 fee first on the e-Filing portal (e-Pay Tax)
- Send
UIDPAN <Aadhaar number> <PAN number>to 567678 or 56161 - Wait for the confirmation SMS
Name and date of birth must match exactly on both records, or the request fails.
How to Add Aadhaar to PAN Online
- incometax.gov.in > Quick Links > Link Aadhaar
- Enter PAN, Aadhaar, and name as per Aadhaar
- Pay the ₹1,000 fee if not already paid
- Verify captcha, click Link Aadhaar
- Validate with OTP
Request is queued with UIDAI. PAN turns operative within 30 days.
How to Pay Penalty for Aadhaar-PAN Link
- incometax.gov.in > Quick Links > e-Pay Tax
- Enter PAN, confirm, enter mobile number, verify OTP
- Select Tax Year, choose Other Receipts (500) as Minor Head
- Select Fee for delay in linking PAN with Aadhar
- Pay the pre-filled ₹1,000 and save the challan
Payment takes a few working days to reflect. Submit the linking request only after that, or it will fail.
Consequences of an Inoperative PAN
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| ITR filing and refunds | Refunds withheld; no interest on withheld refunds |
| TDS/TCS | Deducted/collected at higher rate, up to 20% |
| Banking | Cannot open new accounts (except Basic Savings) |
| Investments | Cannot buy mutual funds above ₹50,000 or unlisted shares above ₹1 lakh per transaction |
| Credit cards | New applications blocked |
| GST/business | Registration and compliance can stall if the linked PAN is inoperative |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PAN card download by Aadhaar number free? Yes, if the PAN was issued through Instant e-PAN. Download is unlimited and free on the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Can I download my e-PAN using only Aadhaar if I have an older, traditionally issued PAN? No. Use your PAN number on Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL instead.
What is the password for the e-PAN PDF? Date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
How do I check if Aadhaar is linked to PAN? Use “Link Aadhaar Status” on the e-Filing portal, or send the UIDPAN SMS to 567678 or 56161.
Can I still link PAN with Aadhaar after the deadline? Yes. Pay ₹1,000, submit the request online or by SMS. PAN turns operative in up to 30 days.
How much is the penalty for late linking? ₹1,000, paid once via e-Pay Tax, Minor Head 500.
Can I link by SMS without paying online first? No. Payment must be completed on the portal before the SMS request is accepted.
What happens if I don’t link Aadhaar with PAN? PAN stays inoperative: no refunds, no interest on refunds, higher TDS/TCS, and blocked banking, investment, and GST-linked transactions.