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: tininfo@nsdl.co.in / utiitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com

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.

• Q: How to check PAN status without acknowledgment number? — Visit NSDL → Track Status → “Without Acknowledgment Number” → enter date of birth + name. Returns last status.
• Q: Is e-PAN valid as identity proof? — Yes — digitally signed e-PAN issued by Income Tax Department is legally equivalent to physical PAN for all purposes.
• Q: Can I update my address on PAN? — No — PAN doesn't store address. Address updates happen at the IT department for tax records, not on the PAN itself.
• Q: What if PAN application is rejected? — Common reasons: name mismatch, photo quality, duplicate flag. Re-apply with correct details. NSDL refund of Rs. 110 takes 30-45 days.
• Q: PAN required for opening bank account? — Yes for any account, since the KYC tightening of 2017. Form 60 substitutes for those without PAN.

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
• State-by-state: Pick your state
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• The RTI Act 2005: Complete guide
• All status-check guides: All 25 status-check pages

• RTI Act 2005 §§6, 7, 19
• Official portal (linked in Quick Facts)
• Statute referenced in Quick Facts

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.