Quick Answer
- Form 49A is discontinued for new PAN applications from 1 April 2026.
- Form 93 replaces it for individuals. Form 94 replaces it for Indian businesses (companies, LLPs, firms, HUFs, trusts).
- PAN cards already issued under Form 49A remain valid. No reapplication needed.
- Download official forms below. Direct links to Protean.
Old Form vs New Form
| Old Form (discontinued) | New Form (current) | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Form 49A | Form 93 | Individuals, including NRIs and minors |
| Form 49A (non-individual) | Form 94 | Companies, LLPs, firms, HUFs, trusts, AOPs |
| Form 49AA | Form 95 | Foreign individuals, OCIs |
| Form 49AA (non-individual) | Form 96 | Foreign entities |
| Change Request Form | PAN CR-01 / CR-02 | Corrections to an existing PAN |
Download PAN Card Forms (Official Links)
You can also apply online without printing the PDF, through Protean, UTIITSL, or the Income Tax e-filing portal.
Form 94: PAN for Indian Businesses
Every registered Indian business needs its own PAN, separate from the owner’s or director’s PAN. Proof required depends on entity type:
| Entity Type | Proof Document |
|---|---|
| Company | Certificate of Incorporation, or CIN from Registrar of Companies |
| LLP | Certificate of Registration, or LLPIN |
| Firm (non-LLP) | Certificate of Registration or Partnership Deed |
| Trust | Trust Deed, or Registration Certificate from Charity Commissioner |
| HUF | Karta’s affidavit (notarised) with coparcener details, plus Karta’s ID/address proof |
| AOP / Body of Individuals | Agreement copy, or registration certificate |
| Local authority | Government-issued document confirming identity and address |
Note: For companies and LLPs, no seal or stamp is required on Form 94 acknowledgement, only the authorised signatory’s signature.
Documents Required (Individuals, Form 93)
Aadhaar covers identity and address, but not date of birth. Attach one separate DOB document:
- Birth certificate (mandatory if born on/after 1 October 2023)
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Matriculation certificate or mark sheet
- Marriage certificate (Registrar of Marriages)
- Pension payment order
No standard ID? Use a substitute certificate: Annexure A, B, or C (see below).
For the certificate format, see our filled Annexure A sample with step-by-step instructions.
PAN Annexure Forms
Used only when standard ID/address proof is unavailable.
| Annexure | Issued By | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Annexure A | MP / MLA / Municipal Councillor / Gazetted Officer | Identity or address |
| Annexure B | Employer (letterhead) | Address |
| Annexure C | Bank (letterhead) | Identity |
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Choose mode: Online e-KYC (fastest, paperless) or physical submission with printed form.
- Select form: Form 93 (individual) or Form 94 (business), enter category, get token number.
- Fill details: Name must match Aadhaar exactly. Enter AO code (look up by address on Protean/UTIITSL).
- Attach photo/signature: Two colour photos, 3.5cm x 2.5cm. Signature across photo, not stapled.
- Attach documents: ID, address, DOB proof (individuals) or entity registration proof (businesses). Aadhaar is mandatory for Form 93.
- Pay fee and submit. Save the acknowledgement number.
- Physical mode only: Post signed acknowledgement + documents to Protean within 15 days.
- Track status using the 15-digit acknowledgement number on Protean/UTIITSL.
Fees (2026)
| Mode | Physical Card, India | Physical Card, Foreign | e-PAN Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical documents to Protean | ₹107 | ₹1,017 | ₹72 |
| Paperless (e-KYC/e-Sign/DSC) | ₹101 | ₹1,011 | ₹66 |
- Correction/reprint (PAN CR-01/CR-02): ₹50 (India) / ₹959 (foreign)
- Instant e-PAN via Income Tax e-filing portal (Aadhaar e-KYC): Free
- All figures include tax.
PAN Full Form
PAN = Permanent Account Number. A 10-character alphanumeric ID issued by the Income Tax Department.
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1st–3rd | Random letters |
| 4th | Holder type: P = Individual, C = Company, H = HUF, F = Firm/LLP, T = Trust, A = AOP |
| 5th | First letter of surname (individual) or entity name |
| 6th–9th | Sequential numbers |
| 10th | Check letter |
Which PAN Form PDF Should You Download?
Downloading the wrong PDF is the quickest way to get an application bounced at the counter. Match the form to who is applying, not to what you are trying to do:
| If you are… | Download | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| An Indian citizen getting a first PAN | Form 93 | Using the retired Form 49A template |
| A company, LLP, firm, HUF or trust registered in India | Form 94 | Filing the director’s or owner’s details on Form 93 |
| An NRI, OCI or other foreign individual | Form 95 | Assuming NRIs still use the Indian-citizen form |
| A foreign company or entity | Form 96 | Using Form 94 for an overseas entity |
| Fixing a name, DOB, photo or address on an existing PAN | PAN CR-01 (individual) or PAN CR-02 (non-individual) | Filing a fresh application instead of a correction |
For a field-by-field walkthrough of each form, see our complete guide to the PAN card form: format, download and how to fill it.
Form 49A vs Form 93: What Actually Changed
If you are searching for a Form 49A PDF, you will not find a current one. The practical differences for an applicant are small but they decide whether your application goes through:
- Form name and number: Form 93 replaces Form 49A for Indian individuals; Form 94 replaces the non-individual version.
- Aadhaar: mandatory on Form 93, apart from a narrow set of exempt categories.
- Date of birth proof: Aadhaar does not prove your date of birth, so attach a separate document such as a birth certificate, passport or matriculation certificate.
- Existing PAN: a card issued on Form 49A stays valid for life. Nothing needs to be redone.
The background on the switch is covered in PAN Card Form 49A: what replaced it and how the new format works.
Online Application or Printed PDF: Which Should You Use?
Most people no longer need the PDF at all. The online application on Protean or UTIITSL builds the correct form from your answers, and the paperless e-KYC route needs nothing to print or post. The PDF is useful in two cases: you want to review every field before you start, or you are filing on paper at a PAN centre.
- Choose online e-KYC if your Aadhaar mobile number is active and you want the fastest, cheapest route (see the fee table above).
- Choose the printed PDF if you are applying through a PAN centre, or if the applicant cannot complete Aadhaar OTP verification.
- Choose the instant e-PAN route on the Income Tax e-filing portal if you have never held a PAN and your Aadhaar carries a linked mobile number. There is no form to download and it is free.
Filling the Printed Form: Checklist
- Write in English, in capital letters, with black ink only.
- Match your name to your Aadhaar exactly, including initials and spacing.
- Enter the correct AO code for your address; look it up on the provider’s AO code page if the form does not fill it in.
- Paste two recent colour photographs (3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) and sign across the photo without covering the face. Do not staple it.
- Attach self-attested copies of identity, address and date-of-birth proof.
- Keep the acknowledgement number safe. You need it to track the application.
PAN Form PDF Not Downloading? Quick Fixes
- Open the official provider page (Protean or UTIITSL) directly rather than a link from a search result or a third-party site. Only download forms from the official provider.
- Try another browser or turn off pop-up blocking for the provider’s site, since some downloads open in a new tab.
- If the file opens blank, save it and open it in a desktop PDF reader instead of the browser preview.
- If the link is dead, use the online application, which generates the form for you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Attaching only Aadhaar with no separate DOB document (top rejection reason)
- Name spelling not matching Aadhaar exactly
- Missing AO code
- Businesses applying on Form 93 instead of Form 94
- Physical documents reaching Protean after the 15-day window
Read more:
Apply for PAN card online
SIP Calculator: Daily, Monthly & Yearly Returns Compared
What is a PAN (Permanent Account Number)
FAQs
Is Form 49A still valid?
Not for new applications after 1 April 2026. Existing PANs issued under Form 49A remain valid.
Where do I download Form 49A PDF?
Form 49A is discontinued. Use Form 93 (individuals) or Form 94 (businesses) instead.
What is “Form A PDF”?
Usually means either the main PAN form (now Form 93) or Annexure A, the MP/MLA/Gazetted Officer identity certificate.
What is a PAN annexure form?
A substitute certificate (A, B, or C) used only when standard ID/address proof is unavailable.
What is the full form of PAN?
Permanent Account Number.
Which form do businesses use?
Form 94, for companies, LLPs, firms, HUFs, trusts, and AOPs registered in India.
Can NRIs use Form 93?
Yes. Foreign citizens, including OCIs, use Form 95.
How much does it cost?
₹66 to ₹1,017, depending on mode, card type, and address (India vs foreign). See fee table above.