You can download your PAN card online as an e-PAN, which is a digitally signed electronic version of your Permanent Account Number card. Depending on your PAN record, you can get it through the Income Tax e-Filing portal, Protean (formerly NSDL), UTIITSL, or DigiLocker. The available option, fee, and verification process depend on how your PAN was issued or updated.
For eligible new applicants, Instant e-PAN through Aadhaar is the quickest free option on the Income Tax e-Filing portal. It is generally available within minutes after successful verification, subject to successful Aadhar/DigiLocker verification and generation. Protean and UTIITSL provide free e-PAN downloads within 30 days of PAN allotment or a confirmed update, with a charge of ₹8.26, including GST, after that period. DigiLocker also lets you access your PAN as an authenticated digital document when it is available in your issued documents. For most purposes that require PAN proof, a valid e-PAN can be used instead of carrying the physical card.
Key Takeaways
- An e-PAN is a digitally signed electronic PAN document and is generally accepted wherever PAN proof is required, subject to the requirements of the concerned institution or authority.
- Instant e-PAN through the Income Tax e-Filing portal is a free option for eligible individuals who meet the Aadhaar-based requirements.
- Existing PAN holders can generally request or download their e-PAN through Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL, depending on the service available for their PAN record.
- Protean and UTIITSL may charge a nominal fee for e-PAN requests made beyond the applicable free period after allotment or correction. Check the current fee displayed on the respective portal before payment.
- An e-PAN PDF is password-protected. Where a date-of-birth password is used, it is generally entered in DDMMYYYY format.
- DigiLocker can also provide access to an issued PAN document if your PAN record is available through the service.
What is an e-PAN, and is It Valid?
An e-PAN is a digitally signed electronic version of a PAN card issued by the Income Tax Department or made available through an authorized PAN service provider. Under the government’s PAN 2.0system, e-PANs now carry a dynamic QR code that allows real-time verification of the holder’s details. It contains the PAN holder’s identifying details and this QR code for verification.
An e-PAN can generally be used as PAN proof for purposes such as income-tax filings and KYC, subject to the requirements of the bank, financial institution, government department, or other organization requesting it. You do not necessarily need to carry a physical PAN card if you have a valid e-PAN and the concerned organization accepts electronic PAN proof.
Which e-PAN Download Method Applies to You?
The right way to get an e-PAN depends on whether you need to apply for a new PAN, download an existing one, replace a lost card, or access your PAN digitally.
- You do not have a PAN yet: Apply for an Instant e-PAN using Aadhaar through the Income Tax portal.
- You already have a PAN and need a digital copy: Download your e-PAN through Protean or UTIITSL, depending on where your PAN application or record was processed.
- Your physical PAN card is lost or damaged: Download your existing e-PAN, or request a reprint of the physical PAN card.
- You want to keep your PAN digitally: Check DigiLocker for an issued e-PAN document linked to your PAN details.
Methods to Download Your PAN Card at a Glance
There are several ways to download your PAN card online, depending on your PAN record and the service you use:
| Method | Cost | Typical access time | What you need |
| Instant e-PAN via Income Tax portal | Free | Usually immediate | Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number, plus eligibility for the Instant e-PAN service |
| Protean (formerly NSDL) | Free during the applicable free period; fee may apply thereafter (check Note below) | A few minutes | PAN or acknowledgement details and required verification information |
| UTIITSL | Free during the applicable free period; fee may apply thereafter | A few minutes | PAN and required verification information |
| DigiLocker | Free | Usually immediate once available | DigiLocker account and required identity verification |
Note: Protean provides the e-PAN free to your registered email up to three times when the PAN was allotted or updated within the last 30 days. After that 30-day window, a fee of ₹8.26 applies per download.
How to Download Your PAN Card Online? 4 Methods
Choose the method that matches your PAN record and the service available to you.
Method 1: Download Instant e-PAN Via Aadhaar Without PAN Number (Income Tax portal)
This is a free option for eligible individuals using Aadhaar-based authentication.
- Go to the Income Tax e-Filing portal at incometax.gov.in.
- Under Quick Links, select Instant e-PAN.
- Select Check Status / Download PAN.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and submit.
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- If your e-PAN has been generated, select Download e-PAN to save the PDF.
Note: The Instant e-PAN service is available only to individuals who have not already been allotted a PAN. It allows eligible applicants to generate a new PAN and receive the corresponding e-PAN. If you already have a PAN and your physical card is lost or damaged, you cannot use Instant e-PAN to obtain another PAN. Instead, download your existing e-PAN through Protean, UTIITSL, or DigiLocker, or request a physical reprint if needed.
Method 2: Download from Protean (formerly NSDL)
Use the Protean e-PAN service if your latest PAN application, whether for a new PAN or a correction/update, was processed through Protean. This download route is available for PAN records handled by Protean and does not apply to records processed through UTIITSL.
- Open the e-PAN download service on the Protean website.
- Select the applicable option, such as PAN or acknowledgement number.
- Enter the requested details, such as PAN, Aadhaar details where applicable, date of birth, and captcha.
- Complete OTP verification using your registered contact details.
- Download the e-PAN PDF.
Method 3: Download from UTIITSL
Use the UTIITSL e-PAN service if your PAN record is available through UTIITSL.
- Open the e-PAN download option on the UTIITSL PAN services portal.
- Enter your PAN, date of birth, and captcha.
- Select how you want to receive the OTP, through SMS, email, or both, and enter the OTP to verify your identity. If no mobile number is registered with your PAN, the OTP is sent to your registered email address.
- Download the e-PAN PDF.
Method 4: Download from DigiLocker
If your PAN is available as an issued document in DigiLocker, you can access the electronic record from your account.
- Log in to the DigiLocker app or website.
- Go to Issued Documents and look for your PAN document from the Income Tax Department.
- Complete the requested verification, if prompted.
- Access or download the available PAN document.
Note: If your PAN card is lost or damaged and you need to download a duplicate PAN card, you can download your e-PAN again using the Protean, UTIITSL, or DigiLocker methods discussed above. The Instant e-PAN through Aadhaar cannot be used to replace an existing PAN, as it is intended only for eligible individuals who do not already have a PAN.
If you need a physical replacement without changing your PAN details, use the Reprint PAN Card service through Protean or UTIITSL. The fee is around ₹50, including GST, for delivery within India. For a foreign address, traditional Protean reprint charges have been around ₹959, including applicable taxes and delivery. Under PAN 2.0, international dispatch is listed at ₹15 plus applicable postal charges, subject to the applicable service route and charges.
e-PAN Download for NRIs
NRIs can download their e-PAN through Protean or UTIITSL using their PAN and registered details. Verification is generally completed through an OTP sent to the registered mobile number or email. If a foreign mobile number is registered, the OTP may be sent to the registered email address.
Read more: How to Check Your PAN Card Status
Fees for Downloading a PAN 2.0 Card in 2026
The cost depends on the method you use and whether you need an e-PAN or a physical reprint.
| Method | Cost | When it applies |
| Instant e-PAN through Income Tax portal | Free | For eligible applicants using the Aadhaar-based Instant e-PAN facility |
| DigiLocker | Free | For accessing your PAN as an issued digital document |
| Protean | Free for 30 days; ₹8.26 after 30 days | Free within 30 days of PAN allotment or a confirmed update (up to three times, sent to your registered email); ₹8.26 including GST thereafter |
| UTIITSL | Free for 30 days; ₹8.26 after 30 days | Free within 30 days of PAN allotment or a confirmed update; ₹8.26 including GST thereafter |
| Physical PAN reprint | Around ₹50 | Delivery within India; charges are higher for foreign addresses |
How to Open Your e-PAN PDF (Password)?
Your downloaded e-PAN is password-protected. Use your date of birth (for individuals) or date of incorporation (for companies and other entities) in DDMMYYYY format as the password.
Examples:
- 15 March 1990 → 15031990
- 5 July 1985 → 05071985
Note: Always enter two digits for the day, two digits for the month, and four digits for the year, without any spaces or special characters.
PAN Card Download Issues and How to Fix Them
You may face a few common issues while downloading your PAN card online. Here’s what to check and how to fix each one:
- OTP not received: Your mobile number or email may not be linked to your PAN or Aadhaar record. Check that your registered contact details are correct, or use the download method linked to your current mobile number or email.
- “PAN not found” on Instant e-PAN: Your PAN may not be linked to Aadhaar, or it may have been issued through the traditional PAN application process. In this case, try downloading your e-PAN through Protean or UTIITSL.
- e-PAN PDF won’t open: The PDF may require your date of birth as the password. Enter it in DDMMYYYY format.
- Download is no longer free: On Protean or UTIITSL, the free e-PAN download period may have expired. If more than 30 days have passed since PAN allotment or a confirmed update, the applicable download charge is ₹8.26, including GST.
- Aadhaar is not linked to PAN: If your PAN is not linked to Aadhaar, the Aadhaar-based e-PAN download method may not work. Link your PAN with Aadhaar through the Income Tax e-Filing portal, then try the Aadhaar-based method again. A ₹1,000 late fee under Section 234H applies to delayed linking, and the fee must be paid before the linking request can be completed.
- Trying to download using only a mobile number or name and date of birth: A mobile number, name, or date of birth alone cannot be used to download a PAN card. You need Aadhaar for Instant e-PAN or your PAN/acknowledgement number for Protean or UTIITSL. If you do not know your PAN, use the Know Your PAN / AO service first.
