Documents required for new PAN card — Form 49A checklist (2026)

• Proof of Identity — Aadhaar · Voter ID · Passport · Driving Licence · Ration card with photo · Arms licence · Govt photo ID · Bank certificate (with photo + signature)
• Proof of Address — Aadhaar · Voter ID · Passport · Driving Licence · Post Office passbook · Latest electricity/water/gas/landline bill (≤3 months) · Property tax receipt (≤1 year) · Bank statement (≤3 months) · Govt allotment
• Proof of Date of Birth — Birth certificate · Matriculation/SSLC certificate · Passport · Aadhaar · Driving Licence · PAN of parents (for minors)
• Photograph — Two recent colour passport-size photos (white background)
• Signature — In black ink, on white paper, not exceeding the box size on Form 49A

• Aadhaar (recommended) — Single Aadhaar copy can serve as PoI + PoA + PoDOB. Saves separate documents.
• OCI/PIO card — For NRIs — used as PoI + PoA.
• Cancelled cheque (for refund) — Optional but speeds up any future refund.

• e-PAN via Aadhaar OTP at incometax.gov.in — completely paperless, free, instant (10 minutes).
• For physical card via NSDL/UTIITSL: Rs. 110 (India address), Rs. 1,020 (foreign address).
• Photo specifications: 3.5 × 2.5 cm, white background, no glasses/cap, recent (within 6 months).
• Signature must fit within the designated box on Form 49A — too long signatures get rejected.
• Documents must be self-attested (sign + date on each photocopy).

Online via NSDL (tin.tin.nsdl.com) OR UTIITSL (utiitsl.com) OR Income Tax e-PAN (incometax.gov.in/instant-e-pan — FREE)

→ Official source: https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html

If PAN application is rejected for “documents inadequate”, file RTI under §4(1)(d) RTI Act to CBDT for the specific deficiency (NSDL/UTIITSL won't tell you in detail). Re-apply with corrected docs.

→ Use our 🪄 AI RTI Drafter to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.

• Q: Can I get PAN without any documents? — Yes — via e-PAN with Aadhaar OTP at incometax.gov.in. Aadhaar = identity + address + DOB + photo + signature, all in one. Free + instant.
• Q: Do minors need PAN? — Optional. If parent files joint return or wants PAN-linked accounts for the child, apply with parent as guardian.
• Q: What if my photo on PAN is old? — Apply for PAN reprint (Rs. 110) with new photo via NSDL/UTIITSL.
• Q: PAN issued under my maiden name; need to update post-marriage? — Apply for PAN correction (Rs. 110) with marriage certificate + fresh ID.
• Q: Foreign citizen needs PAN — what documents? — Use Form 49AA + OCI/PIO card or passport + foreign address proof + Indian agent's letter.

1. Gather mandatory documents above before applying — saves a re-visit
2. Apply via official portal (link above) — no agent needed
3. Track status: see our status-check guides
4. If rejected for “documents inadequate”: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
5. For state-specific guidance: see state portals directory

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score draft win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window

• Track status: How to check pan card status
• State-by-state: Pan Card across all 36 states
• If rejected, file RTI: Full RTI guide
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• All documents checklists: All 30 checklists

• Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
• Official portal: linked in “Where to apply” above
• RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.