How to check PAN card status — NSDL + UTIITSL + e-PAN tracker (2026)

1. Find your Acknowledgment Number from the application receipt — 15 digits, sent via email/SMS.
2. Visit the right portal: NSDL if you applied via NSDL/Protean; UTIITSL if via UTIITSL.
3. Enter Acknowledgment Number + captcha. Status shows current stage.
4. For instant e-PAN (Aadhaar-OTP route): visit incometax.gov.in → Quick Links → Instant e-PAN → enter Aadhaar → OTP → e-PAN PDF in 10 minutes (FREE).
5. If status shows “Dispatched”, note tracking number and check India Post.
6. If “Returned undelivered”, contact the intermediary to re-dispatch.

What we hear from RTI Wiki users: Anil, a 28-year-old fresh hire in Hyderabad, urgently needed PAN for joining formalities. NSDL status said “Sent to ITD for processing” for 22 days, missing his joining deadline. He used the Instant e-PAN route via Aadhaar OTP — got e-PAN PDF in 8 minutes for free. Joined on time. Physical card arrived 9 days later via post.

• Wrong supporting documents — name doesn't match Aadhaar/passport. Fix: re-submit with corrected.
• Duplicate PAN flag — system finds existing PAN under your name/DOB. Fix: surrender duplicate (online process); use existing.
• Photograph quality issue — blurry/non-compliant. Fix: re-upload via intermediary portal.
• Signature mismatch with proof. Fix: fresh signature on white background, re-upload.
• Address PIN mismatch — Indian Postal Service couldn't deliver. Fix: re-dispatch request.
• Stuck at “Application Found” for >30 days — file RTI for processing-officer details.

• Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar (incometax.gov.in) is FREE and arrives in 10 minutes. 90% of users don't know.
• If you have an existing physical PAN, you can also download a digitally-signed e-PAN from the same portal for FREE — instant.
• PAN can be linked with Aadhaar at incometax.gov.in for FREE (since June 2022). Check linkage at the same site.
• Lost PAN — order a PAN reprint at NSDL/UTIITSL for Rs. 110, delivered in 15-20 days.
• PAN is required for Rs. 50,000+ deposits, immovable property purchases, foreign travel, hotel stays > Rs. 50,000, and any IT-relevant transaction.

NSDL: 020-27218080 · UTIITSL: 1800-266-1230 · Income Tax e-PAN: 1800-103-0025 · Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Checking your PAN card application status online is straightforward once you know which intermediary processed your application. Both NSDL (now Protean) and UTIITSL provide real-time status tracking portals that require only your 15-digit acknowledgement number and a captcha.

For NSDL/Protean applications:

1. Go to NSDL PAN Status Track
2. Select “PAN – New/Change Request” from the drop-down
3. Enter your 15-digit acknowledgement number (starts with “88” for NSDL)
4. Type the captcha → click Submit
5. Current processing stage appears instantly

For UTIITSL applications:

1. Visit UTIITSL official portal
2. Navigate to PAN Card Services → Track PAN Card Status
3. Enter your acknowledgement number (UTIITSL numbers start with “99”)
4. Solve captcha → submit

For Instant e-PAN (Income Tax portal):

1. Visit incometax.gov.in instant e-PAN
2. Quick Links → Instant e-PAN → Continue
3. Enter Aadhaar number → receive OTP → download e-PAN PDF

You can also check your PAN application status without an acknowledgement number using your name and date of birth on the NSDL portal.

The acknowledgement number is the single most important identifier for tracking your PAN application. Here's everything you need to know about using it effectively.

Where to find your acknowledgement number:

1. Email: NSDL/UTIITSL sends it to your registered email immediately after application submission
2. SMS: Sent to your registered mobile number
3. Acknowledgement receipt: The PDF receipt downloaded at the time of application
4. Physical receipt: The counterfoil given at PAN facilitation centres

Acknowledgement number format:

Tracking steps:

1. Go to the relevant portal (NSDL or UTIITSL — see How to check PAN card status online above)
2. Enter the exact 15-digit number — no spaces, no hyphens
3. Complete the captcha verification
4. Click submit — your current status displays immediately

If your acknowledgement number is lost, you can still track using Name + Date of Birth on the NSDL portal under “Track Status without Acknowledgement Number”.

When you check your PAN status, you'll see one of several stage labels. Understanding what each means helps you gauge whether your application is on track or stalled.

Once your PAN is allotted and the status shows “Dispatched”, you can track the physical delivery through India Post.

How to track PAN card delivery:

1. Check your status on NSDL/UTIITSL portal — the dispatch date and Speed Post tracking number are displayed
2. Go to India Post tracking
3. Enter the 13-character consignment number (format: ED/EE/EM followed by digits + IN)
4. View real-time delivery status

Typical delivery timeline after dispatch:

If delivery is delayed beyond 15 days from dispatch:

1. Check with your local post office — card may be held there
2. Contact NSDL/UTIITSL for re-dispatch
3. In the meantime, download your e-PAN from incometax.gov.in — it's legally equivalent to the physical card

For broader delivery-related RTI help, see our guide on income tax refund status tracking.

If you applied for a PAN correction (name, date of birth, photograph, or signature change), you can track the correction status the same way as a new application.

How to check PAN correction status:

1. Visit NSDL PAN Status Track
2. Select “PAN – Change/Correction Request” from the drop-down
3. Enter your 15-digit acknowledgement number from the correction application
4. Submit → view status

Common correction scenarios and timelines:

1. Name change (post-marriage, spelling correction): 15-30 days
2. Date of birth correction: 15-30 days — requires valid proof
3. Photograph/signature update: 15-25 days
4. Father's name correction: 15-30 days

For UTIITSL corrections, use the UTIITSL portal → PAN Card Services → Track Status with your correction acknowledgement number.

For a step-by-step correction guide, see how to apply for PAN correction online.

The e-PAN is a digitally-signed electronic version of your PAN card that is legally equivalent to the physical PAN card under the Information Technology Act, 2000. You can download it instantly — no need to wait for postal delivery.

Download e-PAN from Income Tax portal (FREE):

1. Visit incometax.gov.in
2. Login with your PAN and password (or continue as guest for instant e-PAN)
3. Navigate to Services → Download e-PAN
4. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar → OTP verification → download PDF

Download e-PAN from NSDL:

1. Go to NSDL e-PAN download
2. Enter acknowledgement number + PAN + date of birth
3. OTP verification → download (free if downloaded within 30 days of allotment; Rs. 8.80 thereafter)

Download e-PAN from UTIITSL:

1. Visit UTIITSL e-PAN download
2. Enter PAN + acknowledgement number + captcha
3. Download (Rs. 17.60 for first copy)

e-PAN password: The downloaded PDF is password-protected. The password is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (e.g., 15081995 for 15 August 1995).

The e-PAN is accepted everywhere — banks, employers, telecom providers, mutual fund platforms — as valid identity proof.

If your PAN status has been stuck on the same stage for an extended period, one of these common reasons is likely responsible:

Processing delays (most common):

1. Document verification backlog: Peak seasons (March-July, tax filing period) see 2-3x normal processing times
2. Name mismatch with Aadhaar: Your PAN application name must exactly match your Aadhaar. Even a single character difference triggers a flag.
3. Duplicate PAN detected: The system cross-checks against all existing PANs. If a similar record exists (same name + DOB), the application is put on hold.

Technical issues:

1. Server-side processing delay: ITD batch processing can take 7-15 business days
2. Aadhaar authentication failure: If your Aadhaar e-KYC failed, manual verification kicks in — adds 10-15 days

Action you can take:

1. Under 15 days: Wait — normal processing window
2. 15-30 days: Monitor daily; check for objection notifications via email/SMS
3. Beyond 30 days: Contact helpline (NSDL: 020-27218080, UTIITSL: 1800-266-1230) with your acknowledgement number
4. Beyond 45 days: File an RTI — see How to file RTI for PAN card delay

Tip: The Instant e-PAN route via Aadhaar bypasses most of these bottlenecks — if you haven't applied yet and have an Aadhaar linked to a mobile number, choose this route.

The Income Tax Department (CBDT) is a public authority under the RTI Act 2005, §6(1). If your PAN application is stuck beyond the published SLA, you have a statutory right to demand information. A reply is mandatory within 30 days.

When to file:

1. New PAN: stuck beyond 30 days from application date
2. PAN correction: stuck beyond 45 days from application date
3. PAN delivery: dispatched but not delivered in 15+ days

Where to file: The Public Information Officer (PIO), Income Tax Department — not NSDL/UTIITSL, as they are private intermediaries acting on behalf of CBDT. However, some applicants have had success filing with the intermediary's grievance officer first.

Fee: Rs. 10 (central government) — payable via IPO, court fee stamp, or online via RTI Online portal

5 questions to ask in your RTI:

1. Daily progress of my PAN application (acknowledgement no. ), stage by stage
2. Specific reason for the delay/hold
3. Name and designation of the officer handling my application
4. Expected date of PAN allotment/dispatch
5. Whether a duplicate PAN flag exists against my name

→ Use our free AI RTI Drafter to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.

→ Or speak it in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via AwaazRTI.

→ For deeper case-law on this scenario: Read the full RTI guide for PAN card status.

Related RTI case law: Bombay HC 2025 · Delhi HC 2021 · CIC 2015 · Sudhir Kumar v CIT 2018 · CIC IT Assessment 2022

Linking your PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory under §139AA of the Income Tax Act. Failure to link renders your PAN “inoperative” — you cannot file ITR, claim refunds, or conduct high-value transactions. The last deadline was 30 June 2023; unlinked PANs were deactivated from 1 July 2023.

How to check PAN-Aadhaar linking status:

1. Visit incometax.gov.in
2. Quick Links → Link Aadhaar OR Profile → Link Aadhaar Status
3. Enter PAN + Aadhaar → view linking status

Possible statuses:

How to re-link if PAN is inoperative:

1. Login to incometax.gov.in → Profile → Link Aadhaar
2. Enter Aadhaar number → pay late fee of Rs. 1,000 (if applicable)
3. Names must match — if they don't, correct your Aadhaar first via Aadhaar update status check
4. Linking processed in 4-7 working days
5. PAN becomes operative again once linked

Important: Even after linking, you must verify the status shows “Linked” — some linkings fail silently due to name mismatches.

For Aadhaar-related issues, see also: Aadhaar status via RTI · Aadhaar accepted documents 2026 · Check Aadhaar status.

NSDL (now branded Protean) and UTIITSL are the two authorised intermediaries for PAN issuance in India. Both are approved by CBDT. Knowing which one processed your application determines which portal to use for tracking.

How to know which intermediary you used:

1. Check your acknowledgement number — 88 prefix = NSDL, 99 prefix = UTIITSL
2. Check your application receipt — it displays the intermediary name/logo
3. Check your confirmation email — the sender domain reveals it

Official portals (verified .gov.in / authorised):

1. NSDL/Protean PAN: protean-tinpan.com (corporate) / tin.tin.nsdl.com (transactions)
2. UTIITSL: utiitsl.com
3. Income Tax e-PAN: incometax.gov.in

⚠️ Warning: Do NOT use any third-party websites or agents that charge extra fees for PAN status checks. The official portals above are the only authorised sources. All status tracking is FREE on the official portals.

Different PAN application types have different tracking nuances. Here's how to track each:

Instant e-PAN eligibility:

1. Individual applicants only (not companies/firms)
2. Must have Aadhaar linked to a mobile number
3. Must not already have a PAN
4. No correction or update needed — purely new allotment

Minor PAN note: PAN for minors is linked to the parent's PAN initially. The minor must update biometrics and photo at age 18. See child Aadhaar biometric update for the related process.

The official SLA on this service is published. If your status is stuck beyond it, you have a statutory right under §6 RTI Act 2005 to demand information from the public authority. Reply mandatory in 30 days.

File an RTI to: CBDT PIO (NSDL/UTIITSL are intermediaries)

Ask these 5 questions:

1. application status by acknowledgment
2. reason for hold
3. officer in charge
4. projected dispatch
5. duplicate-PAN flag

→ Use our free AI RTI Drafter to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.

→ Or speak it in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via AwaazRTI.

→ For deeper case-law on this scenario: Read the full RTI guide for pan card status.

Visit NSDL → Track Status → “Without Acknowledgment Number” → enter date of birth + name (as per application) + captcha. Returns last status. For UTIITSL, use the UTIITSL portal → PAN Services → Status Inquiry → enter coupon number or name + DOB.

Yes — the digitally signed e-PAN issued by the Income Tax Department is legally equivalent to the physical PAN card for all purposes under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Banks, employers, and all government departments must accept it. It carries the same QR code and details as the physical card.

PAN itself does not store address. However, your address is captured during application for card delivery. If your delivery address needs correction, you must file a PAN correction request (CSF form) via NSDL or UTIITSL. The new address is used for re-dispatch and for income tax records.

Common rejection reasons: name mismatch with Aadhaar, poor photo quality, duplicate PAN flag, or invalid supporting documents. Steps to take: (1) Check the rejection reason on the portal, (2) Resolve the underlying issue, (3) Re-apply via NSDL/UTIITSL with corrected documents. NSDL refund of the application fee takes 30-45 days to process.

Yes — PAN is mandatory for opening any bank account since KYC tightening in 2017. For those without PAN, Form 60 can be submitted as a substitute for accounts with balances below Rs. 50,000. PAN is also mandatory for: cash deposits above Rs. 50,000, property transactions above Rs. 10 lakh, mutual fund investments above Rs. 50,000, and credit/debit card applications.

Once your status shows “PAN Allotted”, the e-PAN is available for download immediately from incometax.gov.in. The physical card is dispatched within 7-10 days of allotment via Speed Post. Delivery takes 2-5 days in metros, 4-7 days in tier-2 cities, and up to 15 days in rural areas.

Yes. NSDL portal → Track Status → select “Without Acknowledgement Number” → enter your full name (as per application), date of birth, and captcha. UTIITSL offers a similar search. This is useful if you lost your acknowledgement number or deleted the confirmation email/SMS.

“PAN Allotted” means your PAN number has been generated by the Income Tax Department — the number is active and you can use it for transactions immediately. “Dispatched” means the physical card has been printed and mailed via Speed Post. You can use your PAN number before the physical card arrives — simply quote the number and download the e-PAN for documentary proof.

Currently, neither NSDL nor UTIITSL offer an SMS-based status check. However, you receive SMS notifications at key milestones: application received, PAN allotted, and card dispatched (with tracking number). For status between these milestones, use the online portals.

If status shows “Returned Undelivered”, your card was sent but couldn't reach you — typically due to an incorrect or incomplete address, or no one being available to receive it. Steps: (1) Contact NSDL (020-27218080) or UTIITSL (1800-266-1230) immediately with your acknowledgement number, (2) Request re-dispatch with corrected address, (3) You may need to submit address proof again. Re-dispatch takes 7-15 days.

No — the Instant e-PAN is a regular PAN card issued through a faster, Aadhaar-based process. The PAN number, format, and legal validity are identical. The only difference is the application method: instant e-PAN uses Aadhaar e-KYC (no document uploads), while regular PAN requires document submission. Both are valid for all purposes.

Yes. NRIs apply via Form 49AA through NSDL or UTIITSL, and track using the same portals with their 15-digit acknowledgement number. The fee is Rs. 1,021 (incl. GST). Physical cards are dispatched to the address provided — ensure it's a valid Indian address for Speed Post delivery, or use an Indian representative's address. e-PAN download is available to NRIs as well.

To check status: use the official portal listed above with your reference number. SLA is published; if stuck beyond it, file a free RTI.

• If status is normal → wait the published SLA, then download/use your document
• If status is delayed → click 🪄 AI RTI Drafter now; complete §6 application in 60 seconds
• If status is rejected → demand reasons under §4(1)(d) RTI Act; appeal/represent
• For state-specific guidance → see state-by-state guide

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score your draft's win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📬 PIO Reply Checker — analyse evasive replies
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window
• 💰 Fee Calculator — state-wise fees
• 🔍 RTI Research — AI Q&A from this site

• Master guide: Full RTI for pan card status
• Apply for PAN: How to apply for PAN card online (2026)
• PAN correction: How to apply for PAN correction (2026)
• State-by-state: Pick your state
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• The RTI Act 2005: Complete guide · Explained simply
• Income tax refund: Track your income tax refund
• ITR filing: Belated/revised ITR guide
• Advance tax: Advance tax guide
• TAN/TDS: TAN and TDS deduction guide
• Aadhaar status: Check Aadhaar status · Aadhaar via RTI
• Aadhaar update: Aadhaar update status check
• All status-check guides: All 25 status-check pages
• Data leak awareness: Protect your PAN/Aadhaar data
• PAN case law: CIC 2015 · HC Bombay 2025 · HC Delhi 2021

1. RTI Act 2005 §§6, 7, 19 — RTI Online portal
2. NSDL/Protean PAN Status Track (tin.tin.nsdl.com)
3. UTIITSL PAN Services (utiitsl.com)
4. Income Tax Department e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in)
5. Instant e-PAN — Income Tax Department
6. Protean (formerly NSDL) TIN PAN (protean-tinpan.com)
7. CBDT Notification 7/2017 (e-PAN SLA)
8. CBDT Circular 5/2014 (physical card SLA)
9. §139AA, Income Tax Act — PAN-Aadhaar linking mandate
10. Information Technology Act, 2000 — legal validity of digital signatures / e-PAN

Last reviewed: 10 July 2026.

PAN card status check 2026 — complete guide on tracking your PAN application, correction, and linking:

1. Step 1: What is a PAN card? (a) the PAN (Permanent Account Number) — is a 10-character alphanumeric identifier — issued by the Income Tax Department — through the NSDL — or the UTIITSL, (b) the PAN — is mandatory for: (i) filing the income tax return, (ii) opening the bank account, (iii) the financial transactions — above Rs 50,000, (iv) the demat account — and the trading, (v) the property purchase — and the vehicle purchase, © the PAN — is linked to: (i) the Aadhaar — (mandatory — for the PAN to be active), (ii) the bank account, (iii) the demat account.
2. Step 2: How to apply for a PAN card. (a) online — through the NSDL/Protean portal: (i) visit onlineservices.nsdl.com — or protean.tin_nsdl.com, (ii) fill the Form 49A — (for the Indian citizens) — or the Form 49AA — (for the foreign citizens), (iii) upload the documents — (Aadhaar, photo, signature), (iv) pay the fee — (Rs 107 for the physical PAN, Rs 72 for the e-PAN), (v) the acknowledgment number — is generated — for the tracking, (b) online — through the UTIITSL portal: (i) visit utiitsl.com — and follow the similar process, (ii) the PAN — is issued — by the UTIITSL, © offline: (i) visit the PAN center — with the documents — and the Form 49A, (ii) the PAN — is issued — and sent — by post, (d) the e-PAN: (i) the e-PAN — is the digital PAN — in the PDF format — with the QR code, (ii) the e-PAN — is issued — within 10-15 minutes — for the Aadhaar-based application.
3. Step 3: How to check PAN card status 2026. (a) online — through the NSDL/Protean portal: (i) visit onlineservices.nsdl.com — and click “Track PAN Application Status”, (ii) select the application type — (PAN — New/Change Request), (iii) enter the acknowledgment number — and the captcha, (iv) the status — is displayed — showing: (a) “Application is under process at NSDL”, (b) “PAN has been allotted” — with the PAN number, © “PAN card has been dispatched” — with the tracking number, (d) “Application is on hold” — with the reason, (b) online — through the UTIITSL portal: (i) visit utiitsl.com — and track — using the application number, © check the PAN — Aadhaar linking: (i) visit incometax.gov.in — and check — if the PAN — is linked to the Aadhaar, (ii) the unlinked PAN — becomes inoperative — and cannot be used — for the financial transactions.
4. Step 4: Common PAN card issues and solutions. (a) PAN not received: (i) the PAN — is allotted — but the physical card — is not received, (ii) the solution: (a) check the dispatch status — on the portal, (b) download the e-PAN — from the portal, © contact the NSDL — or the UTIITSL, (b) name mismatch: (i) the name — in the PAN — and the Aadhaar — are different, (ii) the solution: (a) apply for the PAN correction — on the NSDL portal, (b) update the Aadhaar — or the PAN — to match, © PAN not linked to Aadhaar: (i) the PAN — is not linked — to the Aadhaar — and the PAN — is inoperative, (ii) the solution: (a) visit incometax.gov.in — and link the PAN — to the Aadhaar — using the OTP, (b) pay the penalty — of Rs 1,000 — if the linking — is done — after the deadline, (d) PAN deactivated: (i) the PAN — is deactivated — due to the multiple PANs — or the non-compliance, (ii) the solution: (a) surrender the extra PAN — on the incometax.gov.in, (b) file a grievance — with the Income Tax Department, (e) application on hold: (i) the PAN application — is on hold — due to the document issue — or the name mismatch, (ii) the solution: (a) check the reason — on the portal, (b) re-submit the documents — or the corrected application.
5. Step 5: File RTI on PAN card status. File RTI with the Income Tax Department (or the NSDL/Protean) asking for: (a) the application status: “Provide the status — of the PAN application — acknowledgment number [number] — including: (i) the application date, (ii) the PAN — allotted or not — and the number, (iii) the dispatch — status and the date, (iv) the reason — if on hold”, (b) the PAN-Aadhaar linking: “Provide the PAN-Aadhaar linking status — for the PAN [number] — including: (i) the linking — done or not, (ii) the linking date, (iii) the status — operative or inoperative”, © the PAN correction: “Provide the PAN correction status — for the acknowledgment number [number] — including: (i) the correction — done or not, (ii) the corrected details, (iii) the new PAN card — dispatched or not”, (d) the grievance: “Provide the grievance status — for the complaint — filed on [date] — reference number [number]”.
6. Step 6: The Income Tax Department as a public authority. (a) the Income Tax Department — is a public authority — under the RTI Act — and the CPIO — is at the CPC — and the jurisdictional AO, (b) the NSDL/Protean — and the UTIITSL — are the intermediaries — and the RTI — can be filed — with the Income Tax Department — for the PAN-related issues, © the RTI application — can be filed: (i) online — on the incometax.gov.in — or the Department of Posts portal, (ii) by post — to the CPIO, Income Tax Department, (iii) the application fee — is Rs 10 — by the IPO — or the online payment.
7. Step 7: Practical tips. (a) apply for the e-PAN (the e-PAN — is issued — within 10-15 minutes — for the Aadhaar-based application — and is faster — than the physical PAN), (b) link the PAN-Aadhaar (link the PAN — to the Aadhaar — immediately — to avoid the inoperative PAN), © check the status regularly (check the status — on the portal — regularly — and follow up — if delayed), (d) file RTI (if the PAN — is delayed — or the correction — is not done — file RTI — with the Income Tax Department), (e) Example: An applicant — applied for the PAN — and the status — was “under process” — for 3 weeks — he filed RTI — with the Income Tax Department — the RTI reply showed — that the application — was on hold — due to the name mismatch — between the Aadhaar — and the application — he corrected the name — and the PAN — was allotted — within 7 days.

See PAN Card Status and TDS Refund Status.