PAN Card
1. Issued By & Official Portals
Protean (NSDL) & UTIITSL
Protean and UTIITSL are authorized entities designated by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to process online PAN applications. PAN applications are governed by applicable government rules, while the available application route, processing details, and charges can depend on the applicant's circumstances and current instructions. Verify the latest information on the relevant official portal. Note that future reprint or correction requests are generally serviced through the entity that processed your initial application.
2. Why It Is Required
A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department of India under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It serves as essential proof of tax identity, enables linkage with bank accounts, prevents duplicate assessments, and facilitates financial investments across India.
3. Who Is Eligible
- Any Indian individual (Adult, Minor, Senior Citizen)
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
- Foreign nationals and foreign corporate entities carrying on business in India
- Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Partnerships, LLPs, Companies, and Trusts
Minor vs Major PAN Card (Differences & 18+ Conversion)
A minor PAN card is issued to applicants under 18 years of age. By law, it does not display the child's photograph or signature; instead, it bears the parent's or legal guardian's signature. Upon turning 18, the individual must submit a PAN correction application to convert it into a major card with their personal photograph and signature.
Both cards share the exact same 10-digit alphanumeric Permanent Account Number (PAN), which remains permanent and unchanged for life.
Key Differences
Applicants under 18 years of age.
Adults aged 18 years and above.
Displays 'NO PHOTO' or blank photo frame; signature field displays 'Representative Assessee' or parent's signature.
Displays applicant's color portrait photograph and official specimen signature.
Cannot independently sign tax returns, open standalone demat trading accounts, or enter commercial contracts.
Full legal capacity for bank accounts, demat accounts, filing independent ITR, and commercial contracts.
Valid until the minor turns 18 years old.
Lifelong validity once converted to adult status.
Upon attaining age 18, apply on Protean/UTIITSL under 'Changes or Correction in PAN Data' (CSF Form), upload an updated passport photograph, specimen signature, and Aadhaar card to receive a new physical card.
4. Official Application Fees & Timeline
Official Fee Breakdown
Statutory application fee (₹93 + 18% GST) including Speed Post delivery across India.
Standard OptionOfficial digitally signed electronic PAN PDF delivered to email. No physical card mailed.
Paperless DigitalStatutory fee including international air freight delivery for NRIs and foreign citizens.
NRI / InternationalEstimated Processing Timeline
Generated and emailed immediately upon successful Aadhaar OTP e-KYC verification.
Scrutinized by back-office verification teams and allocated PAN by Income Tax Department.
Printed by security card printer and dispatched via India Post Speed Post.
Statutory PAN fees are strictly fixed by the Government of India. There are no fast-track or VIP fees on official portals.
5. Documents Required
6. Prepare Your Documents (Auto-Fix Studio)
Auto-crop your photograph, resize your signature to recommended pixel and DPI parameters, and convert identity proofs into standardized A4 PDFs formatted for portal size limits.
7. Official Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
Access Authorized Portal
Open Protean (onlineservices.proteantech.in) or UTIITSL (pan.utiitsl.com). Choose Application Type: 'New PAN - Indian Citizen (Form 49A)'.
Choose Submission Mode
Select 'Submit digitally through e-KYC & e-Sign (Paperless)' for instant OTP authentication, or 'Submit scanned images through e-Sign' to upload custom photo/signature.
Enter Personal Details
Provide applicant name, father's name, date of birth, gender, and contact info. Ensure details strictly match Aadhaar.
Upload Formatted Photo & Signature
Upload 200 DPI portrait photo (under 50 KB), black ink signature (under 20 KB), and supporting proof PDF (under 300 KB).
Pay Official Fee
Pay ₹107 for physical delivery in India or ₹72 for e-PAN via UPI, Netbanking, or Debit/Credit card.
Aadhaar OTP e-Sign & Acknowledgment
Authenticate on the NSDL/UTI e-Sign gateway using Aadhaar OTP. Save the 15-digit Acknowledgment Number for tracking.
8. Online vs. Offline Application Workflow
- •Aadhaar-based e-KYC mode: 100% paperless; Aadhaar photo is reused, e-PAN delivered within hours.
- •Scanned Documents e-Sign mode: Upload custom photo, specimen signature, and proof PDFs without mailing physical papers.
- •Online PAN correction and reprint requests.
- •Physical submission mode: Print Form 49A, paste two physical passport photos, sign across photo and form in black ink, and mail to Protean (Pune) or UTIITSL office with self-attested proof copies.
- •Representative Assessee applications where minor has no Aadhaar or biometric data is not available.
9. Technical Upload Specifications
3.5 cm x 2.5 cm (200 DPI resolution)
Max Size: 50 KB (JPG, JPEG)
Background: White background
Front-facing portrait without headwear or tinted glasses. Easy to Doc Photo Tool automatically sets 200 DPI.
2.0 cm x 4.5 cm (200 DPI resolution)
Max Size: 20 KB (JPG, JPEG)
Ink: Black ink preferred
Sign with clear black ink on clean white paper. Do not sign across the face.
Format: PDF
Max File Size: 300 KB
Combined supporting proof documents in single PDF under 300 KB.
10. Common Rejection Reasons & Mistakes to Avoid
- •Applicant's demographic details differ from Aadhaar database (name, gender, or DoB).
- •Signature file exceeds 20 KB or is blurred/pixelated.
- •Minor applicant form signed by minor instead of representative parent/guardian.
- •Existing PAN detected for applicant (duplicate application).
- •Using blue ink for signature upload; official portal guidelines require clear black ink.
- •Entering mother's name as primary parent on Form 49A without checking the single-parent checkbox.
- •Photo scan resolution below 200 DPI causing portal rejection during file upload.
- •Name spelling mismatch between Aadhaar and Form 49A (e.g. initial expansion issues).
11. How to Track & Correct Applications
- Visit Protean PAN Tracking (tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html) or UTIITSL Track PAN portal.
- Select Application Type: 'PAN - New / Change Request'.
- Enter your 15-digit Acknowledgement Number (for Protean) or 9/10-digit Application Coupon Number (for UTIITSL).
- Enter captcha and submit to see exact status (Under Process, Dispatched with Speed Post Air Waybill number, or Defect Raised).
- To correct name, father's name, or DoB: Select 'Changes or Correction in PAN Data' (CSF Form).
- Enter existing 10-digit PAN.
- Tick the checkbox next to the specific field requiring correction and upload the corresponding statutory proof.
12. Official Government Sources & Verification
Easy to Doc prioritizes primary government sources. Verify official circulars, fee structures, and procedures directly on statutory portals:
Official gateway for Form 49A, Form 49AA, and PAN correction applications.
Official portal for PAN card application, e-PAN download, and reprint.
Statutory rules, Instant e-PAN facility, and PAN-Aadhaar linkage verification.
13. Helpful Easy to Doc Guides & Utilities
Full walkthrough for Form 49A paperless e-KYC and e-Sign modes.
Application GuidePAN Card Documents Required ChecklistCBDT-notified acceptable documents for identity, address, and age proof.
Application GuideHow to Correct Name & DoB on PAN CardStep-by-step guide to correcting details without changing your 10-digit PAN.
Application GuidePAN Card for Minors (Under 18) GuideParent/guardian application rules, representative assessee, and 18+ conversion.
Free In-Browser UtilityPassport Photo Grid MakerFormat 3.5×2.5 cm photo sheets at 200/300 DPI for physical and online application.
Free In-Browser UtilityCompress PDF Under 300 KBCompress your combined identity and address proof PDF under the strict 300 KB portal limit.
14. Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any difference between applying through NSDL (Protean) and UTIITSL?
No. Both entities are authorized by the Income Tax Department, charge the exact same statutory fee of ₹107 for delivery in India, and follow the same legal requirements. You can choose either portal with complete confidence.
Is holding two PAN cards illegal in India?
Yes. Under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, possessing more than one PAN is an offense punishable with a penalty of ₹10,000. If you accidentally have two PANs, you must surrender the duplicate number immediately.
What are the exact photo and signature upload requirements for PAN?
The photograph must be in color, 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm in dimension, 200 DPI resolution, and file size under 50 KB. The signature must be signed in black ink on white paper, 2.0 cm x 4.5 cm in dimension, 200 DPI resolution, and under 20 KB.
Can an NRI or foreign citizen apply for a PAN card?
Yes. NRIs and foreign citizens apply using Form 49AA. The physical card can be dispatched to an overseas address upon payment of the statutory international fee of ₹1,017.
How long does it take for physical PAN card delivery via Speed Post?
After approval, the physical card is printed and dispatched via India Post Speed Post. Delivery generally takes 7 to 15 business days depending on your pin code.
What should I do if my PAN card application shows 'Defect Raised'?
A defect notice typically means your signature was illegible, photo resolution was inadequate, or name spelling mismatched Aadhaar. Log in to the respective portal using your acknowledgment number to upload the corrected document.
Information can change when government rules or statutory procedures are updated. Always verify critical filing requirements with the official government source. Easy to Doc is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government authority.
Ready to apply?
Designed to help you prepare files according to commonly specified portal limits. Always verify the latest requirements on the official government portal.