Apply for a new PAN card online free using Instant e-PAN on the official Income Tax e-Portal — the recommended route when you need a first PAN with Aadhaar OTP and a free e-PAN PDF. This guide replaces NSDL Form 49A as the main path because Protean/NSDL apply screens are often slow or unavailable; steps below follow Income Tax Department Instant e-PAN only.
Service: Instant e-PAN (new PAN allotment) · Fee: Free · Auth: Aadhaar + registered mobile OTP · Direct link: getNewEpan · Hub: PAN Card Services
Already have a PAN? Do not apply again — use Download e-PAN or Know Your PAN.
Instant e-PAN Online 2026 — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Service | Instant e-PAN — new PAN with Aadhaar e-KYC |
| Authority | Income Tax Department (ITD) |
| Who can apply | Indian resident without an existing PAN (as validated online) |
| Documents | Aadhaar (mobile linked for OTP) — no paper Form 49A in this flow |
| Fee | Free on official portal |
| Output | Digitally signed e-PAN PDF |
| Direct URL | eportal…/instant-e-pan/getNewEpan |
| Related | Download e-PAN · Link Aadhaar–PAN · Verify PAN |
Who Should Use Instant e-PAN?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Never had a PAN, have Aadhaar, mobile linked | Use Instant e-PAN (this guide) |
| Forgot PAN number | Know Your PAN — do not re-apply |
| Have PAN, need PDF | Download e-PAN |
| Wrong name / DOB on PAN | PAN correction |
| Lost plastic card only | Reprint PAN after you know the number |
Holding more than one PAN is illegal. Instant e-PAN is blocked if the system finds an existing PAN against Aadhaar/biometrics.
Eligibility Checklist (Before You Start)
- You are applying for your first PAN.
- You have a valid Aadhaar.
- Mobile number is linked with Aadhaar for OTP (Aadhaar mobile update if needed).
- Name, DOB, gender on Aadhaar are correct (fix Aadhaar first if wrong).
- You use a laptop/phone browser (Chrome/Edge recommended).
- You will not pay any private agent.
How to Apply Instant e-PAN Online (Step by Step)
Follow only the Income Tax e-Portal Instant e-PAN service.
Step 1: Open the official Instant e-PAN page
- Go to:
https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/instant-e-pan/getNewEpan - Confirm eportal.incometax.gov.in in the address bar.
- Choose the option for Instant e-PAN / Get New e-PAN (wording may vary slightly on screen).
Step 2: Aadhaar authentication
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Enter captcha if shown.
- Request OTP on the Aadhaar-registered mobile.
- Enter OTP carefully (do not share it with anyone).
- Continue only after successful validation.
Step 3: Validate demographic details
- Review name, date of birth, gender pulled from Aadhaar.
- If any field is wrong, stop and correct Aadhaar / DOB first — Instant e-PAN uses Aadhaar data.
- Accept declarations shown by the portal (read before ticking).
Step 4: Submit for PAN allotment
- Submit the Instant e-PAN request.
- Wait for validation (portal load can take a minute).
- On success, the system allots a new 10-character PAN.
- Download the e-PAN PDF when the button appears.
- Save the file and note the PAN number safely.
Step 5: After you get e-PAN
- Print a colour copy for personal records if needed.
- Use PAN for bank/KYC only from this official PDF.
- Optionally link Aadhaar with PAN if the portal still asks for linking later for e-filing.
- For a plastic card later, use reprint PAN through authorised channels only.
Free new PAN with Aadhaar OTP — official Income Tax website only
➡ Apply Instant e-PAN (Official Portal)Official Portal Links (After Completing the Steps)
| Resource | Official link |
|---|---|
| Instant e-PAN / apply new e-PAN | Click here — getNewEpan |
| Verify Your PAN | Click here — verifyYourPAN |
| Link Aadhaar with PAN | Click here — bl-link-aadhaar |
| Aadhaar–PAN link status | Click here — link status |
| e-Filing home | incometax.gov.in |
| PAN hub on this site | PAN Card Services |
Domain check: address bar must show eportal.incometax.gov.in or incometax.gov.in. Ignore WhatsApp “apply PAN” links.
Instant e-PAN vs Form 49A (NSDL / UTIITSL)
| Point | Instant e-PAN (this guide) | Form 49A (NSDL/UTIITSL) |
|---|---|---|
| Portal | Income Tax e-Portal | Protean/NSDL or UTIITSL apply sites |
| Main ID | Aadhaar e-KYC | Form + documents / e-KYC options |
| Fee | Free Instant e-PAN | Fee often charged for physical card options |
| Speed | Often same session | Can take longer if post dispatch |
| When to use | Preferred when e-Portal Instant e-PAN is up | Alternate if Instant e-PAN is unavailable for your case |
This page prioritises Instant e-PAN because NSDL/Protean apply pages are frequently hard to complete. If Instant e-PAN is down for everyone, retry later on the same official ITD link rather than paying agents.
Common Errors & Fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| OTP not received | Update Aadhaar mobile; wait and resend; avoid DND issues |
| “PAN already allotted” | Use Know Your PAN / Verify PAN |
| Name mismatch | Fix Aadhaar demographics, then retry Instant e-PAN |
| Page not loading | Try another browser, disable VPN, retry off-peak |
| PDF not downloading | Allow pop-ups; retry download from the success screen |
| Fake fee demand | Instant e-PAN on ITD is free — leave unofficial sites |
Security Tips
- Never share Aadhaar OTP or e-filing password.
- Bookmark the getNewEpan URL yourself — do not click random SMS.
- One person = one PAN only.
- Prefer VID on Aadhaar for day-to-day sharing after you have PAN.
Related PAN Services
- Download e-PAN Card Online
- PAN Card Status / Verify PAN
- Link Aadhaar with PAN
- Know Your PAN
- PAN Correction Online
- Reprint PAN Card
- PAN Card Services hub
- Download Aadhaar (eAadhaar)
Disclaimer
Easy Applications (EasyApplications.in) is not affiliated with the Income Tax Department, NSDL/Protean or UTIITSL. Instant e-PAN eligibility, screens and availability can change. Always complete apply and download only on official Income Tax websites and follow on-screen terms before sharing personal data.
Summary: To apply for a new PAN online free in 2026, use Instant e-PAN at getNewEpan with Aadhaar OTP, confirm demographics, download the e-PAN PDF, and never re-apply if a PAN already exists. Prefer this over NSDL Form 49A when Protean portals are not working.