How to download PAN card online easily in India — step-by-step guide for e-PAN

How to download PAN card online easily in India — step-by-step guide for e-PAN via NSDL, UTIITSL, Income Tax e-Filing portal, prerequisites, OTP verification, and tips. (2025 update)

How to Download PAN Card (e-PAN) — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a crucial financial identity in India. If you’ve applied for a PAN or want to obtain a digital copy (e-PAN), this guide will walk you through every step — from prerequisites to FAQs and best practices.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to PAN & e-PAN
2. Why Download e-PAN?
3. Prerequisites & Important Points
4. Methods to Download PAN Card
    4.1. Via Income Tax e-Filing / Instant e-PAN
    4.2. Via NSDL / Protean eGov portal
    4.3. Via UTIITSL portal
5. Step-by-Step Instructions
    5.1. e-PAN via Income Tax e-Filing
    5.2. NSDL / Protean
    5.3. UTIITSL
6. Password, OTP & Downloading PDF
7. What if e-PAN Download Fails?
8. Tips to Safeguard Your PAN & Avoid Scams
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
10. Conclusion
11. Introduction to PAN & e-PAN

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a unique alphanumeric 10-digit identifier issued by the Indian Income Tax Department, used for tax filing, financial transactions, KYC, and more.

e-PAN is the digitally signed PDF version of your PAN card, valid just like the physical PAN card.

With increasing digitization, downloading a PAN card (e-PAN) has become simple, provided your PAN was applied via recognized portals.

2. Why Download e-PAN?

Here are the key advantages:

You get an instant PDF version of your PAN, which is legally valid.

No need to wait for postal delivery of a physical copy.

Easy to share during online KYC, tax filing, financial services, etc.

You can re-download e-PAN if needed (within certain rules).

If your physical PAN is lost or misplaced, e-PAN acts as digital proof.

3. Prerequisites & Important Points

Before you begin, ensure:

You know your PAN number or the Acknowledgement number of the PAN application.

You have Aadhaar number (for certain methods) and your mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

You have access to your registered mobile number / email to receive OTP.

You know your date of birth / date of incorporation (for entities) as registered in PAN records.

You have basic documents updated (if any data correction is needed).

Be aware: e-PAN downloaded within 30 days (or some stipulated period) may be free; beyond that, a small fee (e.g. ₹8.26 inclusive of taxes) may apply.

4. Methods to Download PAN Card

You can download your e-PAN using one of these official methods:

4.1 Via Income Tax e-Filing Portal / Instant e-PAN

This is useful especially for instant e-PAN applications (where PAN is generated using Aadhaar e-KYC) or for checking status and downloading.

4.2 Via NSDL / Protean eGov Portal

If you applied via NSDL / Protean, they provide a “Download e-PAN / e-PAN XML” service.

4.3 Via UTIITSL Portal

If your PAN application or corrections were done through UTIITSL, you can use their portal to download e-PAN.

5. Step-by-Step Instructions

Here are detailed workflows for each method.

5.1 e-PAN via Income Tax e-Filing (Instant e-PAN)

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal: incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
2. Under Quick Links, click Instant e-PAN.
3. On the Check Status / Download PAN option, click Continue.
4. Enter your Aadhaar number and proceed.
5. You’ll receive OTP on mobile (linked with Aadhaar). Enter OTP for verification.
6. Once verified, the status will show if PAN is allotted. If yes, you can Download e-PAN PDF.

If you already have a login, you can also go to Services → View / Download e-PAN after login.

5.2 NSDL / Protean Method

1. Go to the Protean / NSDL PAN services page (e.g. onlineservices.proteantech.in).
2. Look for Download e-PAN / e-PAN XML option (separate links for PANs allotted in last 30 days and prior).
3. Choose whether you have PAN number or Acknowledgement number.
4. Fill in your PAN or Acknowledgement number, date of birth / incorporation, Aadhaar, and captcha.
5. Select mode (email / mobile or both) to receive OTP.
6. Enter OTP and verify.
7. If within the free download window, you can download PDF. If beyond, make a small payment (≈ ₹8.26).
8. PDF will be emailed to your registered email, and you can download directly.

5.3 UTIITSL Portal Method

1. Visit UTIITSL’s e-PAN Card download page (pan.utiitsl.com).
2. Click on “Download e-PAN” option.
3. Enter your PAN, date of birth, GSTIN (if applicable), and captcha.
4. You’ll receive a link via email / SMS.
5. Click the link, enter OTP, verify, and download the e-PAN PDF.
6. Note: Within 30 days of issuance, download is free; later a fee may apply.
7. Password, OTP & Downloading PDF

The e-PAN PDF is password-protected. The default password is the cardholder’s date of birth / date of incorporation in DDMMYYYY format.

The OTP is the key step to authenticate and validate your identity; you can’t bypass it.

After successful OTP entry, the portal will allow you to download the file or send the link to your email.

Always save email and local copy of your e-PAN PDF securely.

7. What if e-PAN Download Fails?

If downloading fails:

Check whether you used the correct PAN / Acknowledgement number and date of birth as per records.

Ensure your mobile / email are correctly updated in PAN database.

Clear browser cache or try in incognito mode.

Try alternate portal (if you applied via NSDL but UTI fails, use NSDL).

If free download quotas are exhausted, pay the small fee.

If repeated failure, raise grievance / contact helpline on NSDL or UTIITSL.

8. Tips to Safeguard Your PAN & Avoid Scams

Never click on random email links claiming “download your PAN”. These could be phishing scams.

Always use official government portals (Income Tax, NSDL / Protean, UTIITSL) — avoid third-party unknown sites.

Verify SSL / HTTPS in the website address.

Do not share OTP, password, or your Aadhaar details with anyone claiming to help.

Keep a back-up digital copy of your downloaded e-PAN in secure folder / cloud.

Use strong device security (antivirus / firewall) to prevent info theft.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the difference between PAN and e-PAN?

A: PAN is the physical card, often printed on plastic. e-PAN is the digital PDF, digitally signed, and legally valid just like the physical card.

Q2: Is e-PAN valid as proof of identity / address?

A: Yes — the e-PAN holds the same validity as the physical PAN card and can be used wherever PAN is required.

Q3: Can I download e-PAN multiple times?

A: Yes, but free downloads may be limited (for example, three times within 30 days). After that, a nominal fee (≈ ₹8.26) may apply.

Q4: I don’t remember my PAN or Acknowledgement number. Can I still download?

A: If you have applied via Instant e-PAN using Aadhaar, you may use Aadhaar method on e-Filing portal to download. Otherwise, recovering the PAN / acknowledgement is necessary.

Q5: What happens after 30 days — will I be charged?

A: Yes — if you request download after a free period, a nominal fee is levied.

Q6: What is the format of the e-PAN PDF password?

A: It’s your date of birth / incorporation in DDMMYYYY (e.g., 15 May 1990 → 15051990).

Q7: Can a foreign citizen download e-PAN?

A: Yes — foreign citizens who have PAN issued via authorized methods can also download their e-PAN through NSDL / UTIITSL, following same process.

10. Conclusion

Downloading your PAN card online through the e-PAN service is fast, convenient, and secure — provided you follow the correct steps. Whether you use the Income Tax e-Filing portal (Instant e-PAN), NSDL / Protean, or UTIITSL, the process involves entering valid identity details, verifying via OTP, and downloading the PDF with a password.

Always keep your Aadhaar, mobile number, email, and PAN database updated to avoid hiccups. And remember — avoid clicking on suspicious emails offering “PAN download” links. Stick to official portals and secure your digital copy.

If you follow this guide, you’ll be able to download your e-PAN safely and confidently anytime.