How to apply for PAN correction or re-issue — complete 2026 guide

NSDL Protean and UTIITSL between them process roughly 30 lakh PAN correction / reissue requests per year (CBDT Annual Report 2024-25). The most common categories: surname change after marriage (women), spelling corrections from old hand-written applications, and “lost PAN — request reissue” after wallet/bag thefts.

A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department under §139A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 read with Rule 114 of the Income Tax Rules, 1962.

You need a PAN correction (not a new PAN) when:

• The name is misspelt or has changed (marriage, deed poll, gazette).
• The date of birth is wrong (typo from the original Form 49A).
• Your father's name is wrong or has changed.
• The photograph is unrecognisable / very old.
• The signature is unreadable or has changed substantially.
• Your address has changed (only matters for the physical card; PAN itself is not address-linked for tax purposes — but useful for KYC).
• You want a gender change reflected.
• Your Aadhaar details don't match PAN (any of name, DOB, gender) and you cannot link the two.

You need PAN re-issue (same number, fresh card) when:

• The card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• The card is damaged (water, fire, lamination peeling).
• You never received the physical card despite allotment of the number.

You need a new PAN application (totally different process — see Apply PAN card) only if you have never had a PAN before. Holding two PANs is illegal under §272B (penalty ₹10,000) — never apply afresh just to “fix” details on an existing one.

Both are CBDT-authorised. Pick the one that issued your existing PAN (look on the back of your card; NSDL cards say “Protean / NSDL”, UTIITSL cards say “UTIITSL”). You can technically use either, but using the original issuer is faster.

• NSDL Protean: https://www.tin-nsdl.com → “Services” → “PAN” → “Change/Correction in PAN data”
• UTIITSL: https://www.utiitsl.com → “PAN Card Services” → “Change in PAN Data”
• Income Tax e-Filing portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in supports a limited correction (mostly Aadhaar-linked DOB/name sync) under “Profile” → “Update PAN details” — useful for tiny mismatches but not for photograph / signature / address.

• On tin-nsdl.com, click “Online application for change / correction in PAN data”.
• Choose Form 49A (Indian citizen) or Form 49AA (NRI / foreign citizen).
• Choose mode:
  • “Aadhaar e-KYC + e-Sign (paperless)” — fastest, ₹110.
  • “Submit scanned images through e-Sign” — ₹110, you upload photo + signature scans.
  • “Forward application documents physically” — ₹150, courier hard copies after online submission.

This is where most applicants slip. The form has a check-box next to every field (name, father's name, DOB, photo, signature, address). Tick only the ones you want corrected. If you leave a check-box blank but type a new value in that field, the value is ignored. If you tick a box but don't fill the new value, the application is rejected for incompleteness.

• Name correction: type the new name exactly as it appears on the supporting proof (Aadhaar / passport / marriage certificate). Mind the order: First / Middle / Surname.
• DOB correction: must match a primary proof (birth certificate / Class X mark-sheet / passport).
• Photograph: upload a recent colour photo, white background, 213 × 213 px, JPG, 3-30 KB.
• Signature: scan in black ink on white paper, 213 × 110 px, JPG, 3-30 KB.

A PAN correction always needs three buckets of proof. Keep PDFs ≤ 300 KB each.

• Identity proof: Aadhaar / passport / voter ID / driving licence.
• Address proof (only if changing address): Aadhaar / electricity bill / passport / bank passbook ≤ 3 months old.
• Date-of-birth proof (only if changing DOB): birth certificate / passport / SSC mark-sheet / pension order / Aadhaar (with DOB shown).
• Existing PAN card copy — both sides — always.
• For name change after marriage: marriage certificate + any one document showing the new name (updated Aadhaar / passport / publication in Gazette).

• ₹110 for Indian address; ₹1,020 if the corrected card has to be despatched abroad.
• Pay by net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, or demand draft.
• For paperless mode, you finish with Aadhaar OTP e-Sign (Aadhaar must be linked to a working mobile number).
• Acknowledgement receipt with a 15-digit acknowledgement number appears on screen — save the PDF.

• NSDL: https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html — enter the 15-digit acknowledgement number.
• UTIITSL: https://www.trackpan.utiitsl.com → enter coupon number.
• SMS: text NSDLPAN <ack-no> to 57575 for NSDL.
• Stages: Application received → Documents verified → ITD approved → e-PAN dispatched → Physical card despatched.

• e-PAN PDF is emailed within 7-15 days. Password to open = your DOB in DDMMYYYY format.
• The same e-PAN auto-uploads to your DigiLocker.
• The physical card is despatched by India Post Speed Post; track on indiapost.gov.in with the PoD reference. Typical delivery 15-30 days.
• Your 10-digit PAN number does not change — only the printed details / signature / photo are refreshed.

• If you corrected the name or DOB, re-trigger PAN-Aadhaar link at incometax.gov.in → “Link Aadhaar”. With the corrected data the link should go through in seconds.
• Update KYC at bank, mutual fund (CAMS / KFintech), demat (NSDL/CDSL), EPFO with the corrected PAN copy.
• Re-validate your bank account on the e-filing portal so refunds flow correctly (see How to file ITR).

+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Service                         | Fee + timeline                       |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Correction with Aadhaar e-KYC   | ₹110 (incl. GST). e-PAN in 7-15 days |
| (paperless, fully online)       | + physical PAN in 15-30 days.        |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Correction with physical doc    | ₹150 (incl. GST). e-PAN in 10-20     |
| submission (courier hard copy)  | days + physical PAN in 25-40 days.   |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Despatch of corrected PAN       | ₹1,020 (incl. GST + courier).        |
| outside India                   | Delivery 30-60 days.                 |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Re-issue of lost / damaged PAN  | Same as above (₹110 / ₹150). Same    |
| (no data change)                | PAN number reprinted.                |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| e-PAN only (no physical card)   | ₹66 (incl. GST) at tin-nsdl.com →    |
|                                 | "Reprint of PAN card" → e-PAN tick.  |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Penalty for holding 2 PANs      | ₹10,000 under §272B IT Act 1961.     |
| (do NOT apply afresh)           |                                      |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| RTI to PIO NSDL / Income Tax    | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free.              |
| Department for stuck request    |                                      |
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

• Aadhaar-PAN data mismatch. You corrected PAN to match Aadhaar — but Aadhaar itself has the wrong DOB or spelling. Update Aadhaar first at an enrolment centre, then file the PAN correction.
• Photo / signature out of spec. 3-30 KB JPG, white background. Most common: file too large, dark background, photo with spectacles in glare.
• Existing PAN already cancelled or de-duplicated. If at some point you applied for a “second” PAN and ITD merged or cancelled one, the system will refuse a correction — file a “Re-allotment” request via your jurisdictional Assessing Officer.
• Signature mismatch. The new signature differs sharply from the original on file — NSDL/UTIITSL flag for manual review (adds 10-15 days).
• Marriage certificate not in English / Hindi. A vernacular cert needs a notarised English translation.
• DSC e-Sign not valid. Your Aadhaar mobile is inactive / mobile number changed but Aadhaar not updated — OTP fails. Update Aadhaar mobile first.
• Acknowledgement courier (₹150 mode) not received within 15 days. NSDL auto-cancels the application — you have to refile.
• Address proof older than 3 months. Bank statements / utility bills must be recent.
• Father's name correction without supporting document. ITD insists on father's birth certificate / father's passport / Class X mark-sheet (which carries father's name).

• NSDL Protean PAN helpdesk: 020-27218080 / 020-27218081 (Mon-Sat, 7 am – 11 pm). Email: tininfo@proteantech.in.
• UTIITSL helpdesk: 1800-220-306 (toll-free) or 033-40802999. Email: utiitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com.
• Quote your 15-digit acknowledgement number every time.

• Login at incometax.gov.in → “Grievance” → “Submit Grievance” → category “PAN”.
• 30-day SLA. Useful trail to attach to higher escalations.

• https://pgportal.gov.in → “Department of Revenue” → “Income Tax (CBDT)”.
• For NSDL/UTIITSL service failures, also try ministry “Department of Financial Services” since the service providers operate under CBDT contracts.
• Average response 21 days.

• Find your AO at incometax.gov.in → “Know Your AO” (enter PAN).
• For data-merge or re-allotment cases, the AO is the only authority who can push the change at the back-end.

NSDL Protean and UTIITSL operate as service providers under contract with CBDT. RTI applications go to the PIO of CBDT / Income Tax Department — not directly to the private companies. The Income Tax Department then asks the contractor to provide the records.

RTI helps here when:

• Your correction has crossed 30 days with no status update beyond “Documents verified” — RTI asks for the dealing officer's name, action taken date, and reason for delay.
• Your application was rejected without a written reason — RTI to PIO Income Tax Dept asking for the rejection note and the supporting document.
• The physical card was despatched but never delivered — RTI to PIO Income Tax Dept for the Speed Post PoD number and the address used.
• You are caught in a duplicate-PAN flag that NSDL refuses to lift — RTI to PIO AO asking for the de-duplication record and the basis for cancellation.
• You filed correction in 2024 / 2023 and it was silently dropped — RTI to PIO Income Tax Dept for the application history.

RTI does NOT help here when:

• You filed the correction last week and just want a status — wait 15-30 days first; PIOs treat premature RTIs as a misuse and reply “claim is under processing”.
• Your Aadhaar data is itself wrong — RTI cannot fix Aadhaar; that's UIDAI, separate process.
• You want NSDL to waive the ₹110 fee because of your hardship — RTI cannot grant fee waivers.
• The reason for rejection is a clearly out-of-spec photograph or signature — refile correctly; an RTI won't get a non-compliant document accepted.
• You want a legal opinion on whether your supporting document qualifies — RTI is for information held, not legal advice.

See the dedicated guide: RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers.

Q. Will my PAN number change after correction?
No. The 10-digit PAN is permanent (that's why it's called Permanent Account Number). Only the printed details, photo or signature on the card change.

Q. I have lost my PAN card and forgotten the number. What now?
Go to incometax.gov.in → “Quick Links” → “Know Your PAN” → enter name + DOB + mobile → OTP. The system shows your PAN. Then file a re-issue at tin-nsdl.com.

Q. e-PAN vs physical PAN — which is legally valid?
Both. The e-PAN PDF (with digital signature from CBDT) is accepted as full proof — banks, exchanges, EPFO, GST registration all accept it. The physical card is just convenient for in-person KYC.

Q. Can I correct PAN through the Income Tax e-filing portal directly?
Only for limited corrections sourced from Aadhaar — DOB and name sync. For photograph, signature, address, father's name, you must use NSDL or UTIITSL.

Q. My PAN says “Patil” but Aadhaar says “Patel” — which one should I correct?
Whichever has the wrong data. If your legal name is genuinely “Patel” (post-marriage / deed poll), correct PAN. If your legal name is “Patil” and Aadhaar was wrongly updated, fix Aadhaar at an enrolment centre.

Q. How do I download the e-PAN once it's issued?
Go to https://www.onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/requestAndDownloadEPAN.html — enter PAN + DOB + Aadhaar. Free for the first month; ₹8.26 thereafter. DigiLocker auto-pulls a copy too.

Q. I'm an NRI — same procedure?
Yes, but use Form 49AA (not 49A) and submit identity / address proofs valid abroad (passport copy + foreign address proof + Indian PAN copy).

Q. Can a deceased person's PAN be cancelled / surrendered?
Yes. The legal heir files a written request to the jurisdictional AO with death certificate + PAN copy + relationship proof. PAN is then deactivated.

Q. I corrected PAN but my mutual funds and bank still show the old name. Do they auto-update?
No — you must submit the corrected PAN copy to each institution separately for KYC update. CAMS / KFintech update once for all funds; banks need separate visits or net-banking KYC re-submission.

• How to apply for a new PAN card online — full guide
• How to link PAN with Aadhaar online
• How to file your Income Tax Return online
• RTI for TDS / Income-Tax refund delayed
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• RTI forms + state-wise fee chart

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. PAN correction fees, Form 49A check-boxes, and document acceptance lists are revised periodically by CBDT — verify on tin-nsdl.com or utiitsl.com before applying, or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot a stale figure.