How to Download a PAN Card or Digital PAN Card Online From the Official Portal

If you need a PDF copy of your Permanent Account Number (PAN), the safest method is to use an official government or authorised PAN service. The correct process depends on your situation:

You do not have a PAN yet: use the free Instant e-PAN service.
You already have a PAN issued through Instant e-PAN: download it from the Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Your PAN was processed by Protean (formerly NSDL e-Governance): use Protean’s e-PAN or reprint facility.
You need a replacement physical card: request a reprint through Protean or UTIITSL.

Key Takeaways

Instant e-PAN is free, paperless and available only to eligible individuals who do not already have a PAN.
Aadhaar must be valid and linked to an active mobile number for OTP verification.
You can download an allotted e-PAN from the Income Tax e-Filing portal without applying for a second PAN.
Protean’s free e-PAN download link is generally available for PANs allotted or updated through ITD within the previous 30 days.
A digital e-PAN is a valid form of PAN; a physical card is optional for most uses.
Never share your Aadhaar OTP, e-Filing password or downloaded PAN PDF with unauthorised websites or agents.

What Is an e-PAN?

An e-PAN is a digitally signed electronic version of your PAN issued by the Income Tax Department. It contains the same PAN number as a physical card and can be used for many tax, banking and KYC-related requirements.

The Income Tax Department states that an e-PAN issued through the Instant e-PAN service is valid. It is not a different type of PAN from one issued through the regular application process. You should not apply for another PAN simply because you have lost your card or cannot find the PDF.

How to Download PAN Card Online Using the Income Tax Portal

This route is mainly for people who have already received an Instant e-PAN or whose e-PAN record is available on the Income Tax e-Filing system.

Download without logging in

Open the official Income Tax e-Filing portal.
Under Quick Links, select Instant e-PAN.
Choose Check Status / Download PAN and select Continue.
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
Click Continue.
Enter the six-digit OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
Select Validate Aadhaar OTP and Continue.
View the status of your request.
If the PAN has been generated and allotted, select Download e-PAN. You may also choose View e-PAN before saving the PDF.

The Income Tax Department documents this process in its Instant e-PAN help centre.

Download after logging in

If you have an e-Filing account:

Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal with your user ID and password.
Open your Dashboard.
Select Services.
Choose View / Download e-PAN.
Enter your Aadhaar number when prompted.
Complete OTP validation.
Select View e-PAN or Download e-PAN.

If you have not registered on the portal after receiving an Instant e-PAN, use the registration option shown on the status page first.

How to Get a New Instant e-PAN

Instant e-PAN is for an individual who has not previously been allotted a PAN. It is free and paperless.

Eligibility and requirements

According to the Income Tax Department, you generally need:

A valid Aadhaar number.
An active mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
Access to DigiLocker.
No existing PAN.
Eligibility as an individual applicant; the current FAQ excludes minors and certain representative-assessees.

The service is not meant for downloading an existing PAN when the Aadhaar is already linked to one.

Application steps

Visit incometax.gov.in.
Select Instant e-PAN under Quick Links.
Click Get New e-PAN.
Enter your Aadhaar number and accept the consent instructions.
Validate the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Follow the DigiLocker redirection.
Allow the Income Tax Department to fetch an eligible date-of-birth document from DigiLocker.
Review the displayed details and submit the request.
Save the acknowledgement number shown after successful submission.
Return to Instant e-PAN > Check Status / Download PAN to download the PDF once it is allotted.

The department lists acceptable DigiLocker date-of-birth documents such as a birth certificate, driving licence and Class X marksheet or passing certificate. The document must be available from the issuing authority in DigiLocker, or the application may not complete.

Download an e-PAN Through Protean

Protean eGov Technologies operates the PAN services previously associated with NSDL e-Governance. Its service is useful when your PAN application or correction was processed through Protean.

Open the authorised Protean PAN reprint and e-PAN page. The page states that the facility can be used by PAN holders whose latest application was processed through Protean or who received PAN through the Income Tax Department’s Instant e-PAN service.

You may be asked for:

PAN number.
Aadhaar number, where applicable.
Date of birth.
CAPTCHA verification.
Consent for Aadhaar authentication, if that method is selected.

Protean states that e-PAN download is free for PANs allotted or changes confirmed by the Income Tax Department in the last 30 days. If your PAN is older, the portal may direct you to another service or charge for a reprint. Follow the amount and payment details displayed on the live official page rather than relying on old articles.

e-PAN Download Versus Physical PAN Reprint

Your requirement	Appropriate service	Typical result
You have never had a PAN	Income Tax Instant e-PAN	Free digital PAN PDF
You received Instant e-PAN and need another copy	Income Tax e-Filing portal	Downloadable e-PAN
Existing PAN was processed through Protean	Protean e-PAN or reprint service	Digital copy or replacement card
Existing PAN was processed through UTIITSL	UTIITSL PAN service	Digital copy or replacement card, subject to portal options
You want a card delivered by post	Protean or UTIITSL reprint	Physical laminated PAN card

A reprint does not create a new PAN number. It reproduces the existing record, normally using the latest details held by the Income Tax Department.

The department’s PAN information page identifies Protean and UTIITSL as authorised channels for PAN applications, corrections and related services.

What to Do If You Lost Your PAN Card

Losing the physical card does not cancel your PAN. First, try downloading the e-PAN through the Income Tax portal or the authorised service that processed your application.

If you need a physical replacement:

Open the official Protean or UTIITSL PAN service.
Select the option for reprint or replacement of an existing PAN card.
Enter your PAN and requested identity details.
Verify the request using OTP or another available method.
Confirm the communication address shown on the portal.
Pay the displayed reprint charge, if applicable.
Save the acknowledgement or application number for tracking.

Do not file a fresh PAN application merely because the card is lost. Holding more than one PAN can lead to compliance problems.

Common Problems and Solutions

“Aadhaar is already linked with a PAN”

This usually means you already have a PAN. Instant e-PAN is only for applicants who have not been allotted one. Use the existing-PAN download or reprint route instead.

OTP is not received

Check that:

Your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar.
The phone has network coverage.
SMS storage is not full.
You entered the Aadhaar number correctly.

Use Resend OTP once the timer permits. If the number is not linked, update it at an Aadhaar Enrolment or Update Centre before retrying.

DigiLocker document is missing

The Instant e-PAN flow needs an acceptable date-of-birth document. Check DigiLocker’s Issued Documents and fetch the record directly from the relevant board, RTO or government department. Newly fetched documents may take time to appear. If no acceptable document is available, use the regular PAN application process.

The e-PAN status is still processing

Keep the acknowledgement number and check again later on the official portal. Avoid submitting multiple applications while the first request is pending.

PDF will not open

Download the file again using a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge. Save it locally instead of opening it inside an unstable messaging-app preview. Use a trusted PDF reader and follow any password instruction shown by the issuing portal or email.

Name, date of birth or photograph is incorrect

Do not edit the PDF manually. Submit a PAN correction request through an authorised Protean or UTIITSL channel. A manually altered document may not be accepted for verification.

Is an e-PAN Accepted as a PAN Card?

Yes. The Income Tax Department describes the Instant e-PAN as a valid form of PAN. It is digitally signed and can be printed for your records. A bank, employer or other organisation may still request a particular format or additional KYC documents, so follow that organisation’s requirements.

Security Tips for PAN Downloads

Type incometax.gov.in directly or use a government page linking to the service.
Check the domain before entering Aadhaar, PAN or OTP details.
Do not download PAN files from random APK sites, social-media links or unauthorised agents.
Never disclose an Aadhaar OTP, e-Filing password or DigiLocker login.
Store the PDF in a password-protected device or secure cloud account.
Share PAN only when a legitimate organisation requires it, and ask why it is needed.
Use the official helpdesk if a payment, status or identity-verification issue remains unresolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download a PAN card using only my PAN number?

Usually, the official download flow also requires identity verification, such as Aadhaar OTP, date of birth or details held by Protean or UTIITSL. A PAN number alone may not be sufficient.

Is downloading an e-PAN free?

Instant e-PAN generation is free. Protean also states that e-PAN download is free for certain recent allotments or updates, including those confirmed within the last 30 days. Older requests or physical reprints may attract charges shown on the portal.

Can I download someone else’s PAN card?

No. PAN is sensitive identity and tax information. Download or access it only for yourself or when you are legally authorised to act for the PAN holder.

Can I download my PAN card from DigiLocker?

DigiLocker may be used during Instant e-PAN generation to provide date-of-birth proof. Whether an already allotted PAN appears as an issued DigiLocker document depends on the services available in your account. For the most direct download, use the Income Tax e-Filing or authorised PAN service.

Do I need a physical PAN card?

Not always. A valid e-PAN may meet the requirement, but some organisations may ask for a printed copy or specific KYC documents. Confirm the recipient’s policy before ordering a physical reprint.

What if my Aadhaar mobile number is inactive?

You must update or link an active mobile number with Aadhaar before completing OTP-based Instant e-PAN services. Until then, use an authorised regular PAN service if you need to apply through another permitted route.

Can I download a PAN after changing my details?

After a correction is processed, download the updated e-PAN from the service that handled the request. If the old details still appear, wait for processing to finish and check the request status before submitting another correction.

Is a printed e-PAN valid?

A printout of the digitally signed e-PAN can be used as a copy of your PAN, subject to the receiving organisation’s KYC rules. Keep the original PDF available so its digital signature and details can be checked when required.

How to Download a PAN Card or Digital PAN Card Online From the Official Portal