How to get 'free' e-PAN using Aadhaar

After launching the beta-facility in February 2020, to provide instant Permanent Account Number (PAN) to an individual having Aadhaar number, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has officially launched this facility today. This is a paperless, free-of-cost facility where you will get an e-PAN in near real-time on the basis of Aadhaar based e-KYC.

The official launch follows the announcement made by FM in the Union Budget 2020. According to the income tax department, using the beta version, the department received 6.88 lakh requests for instant PAN up to 25/05/2020 and 6.77 lakh instant PAN were allotted with a turn around time of 10 minutes.

The facility can be availed on the income tax department's e-filing website: www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. The e-filing website states, "Instant PAN allotment in near to real-time is available at free of cost. Individuals (other than minors) with a valid Aadhaar number (with an updated Mobile number) can avail the PAN allotment facility." Note, this facility is available for those who have never been allotted PAN before.





To avail this facility, you will have to make sure that your mobile number is registered in the Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) database. Further, this is a paperless procedure, therefore, you are not required to upload any documents to get a new PAN.

How to apply for instant PAN
Step 1: Visit www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
Step 2: Under the 'Quick Links' option, click on 'Instant PAN through Aadhaar'.

Step 3: Click on 'Get New PAN' option'

Step 4: Enter your Aadhaar number, captcha code, and confirm. You will be required to select a tick box. The tick box will confirm that:
1. You have never been allotted a PAN
2. Your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar number
3. Your complete date of birth in (DD-MM-YYYY) format is available on Aadhaar card
4. You are not minor as on application date of PAN.
5. You have read the terms and conditions.


Step 5: Click on 'Generate Aadhaar OTP'. A one-time password (OTP) will be sent on your mobile number registered in the Aadhaar database.
Step 6: Enter the OTP in the required space.
Step 7: Validate your Aadhaar details. Check if the name, date of birth and other details shown are correct.
Step 8: Once the details are submitted successfully, an acknowledgement number will be generated. Acknowledgement number will be sent to you via SMS and email (if given).

How to download instant PAN
Once you have applied for PAN using this facility, follow the steps below to download the PAN.

Step 1: Go to www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
Step 2: Click on 'Instant PAN through Aadhaar' under the 'Quick Links' section.
Step 3: Click on 'Check Status of PAN'.
Step 4: Submit the Aadhaar number in the required space, an OTP will be sent on your mobile number registered with the UIDAI database.
Step 5: Enter the OTP in the required space.
Step 6: Check if the PAN is allotted to you. If it has been allotted to you, then click on the download link to get a copy of the e-PAN.

Is e-PAN/instant PAN valid?
According to the FAQs section on the e-filing website, this PAN is valid. It is not different from the PAN issued by the income tax department via other modes of application. However, this PAN is paperless, online and free of cost.

Further, the e-PAN is a valid proof of PAN. It contains a QR code which contains demographic details of the PAN applicant such as name, date of birth and photograph. These details are accessible through a QR code reader. The e-PAN is duly recognised by Notification No. 7 of 2018 dated December 27, 2018, issued by the Principal Director General of Income-Tax (Systems).