Right to Information Wiki
PAN Card Status Check 2026 — NSDL + UTIITSL + Instant e-PAN

Track PAN card application status 2026 — NSDL + UTIITSL portal walkthrough, instant e-PAN check, by name + DOB or acknowledgement number. RTI escalation if stuck.

PAN Card Status Check 2026 — NSDL + UTIITSL + Instant e-PAN

PAN card status — RTI Wiki guide 2026

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· 2026/04/19 05:02

Quick answer. PAN cards in India are issued by two service providers on behalf of the Income Tax Department: Protean (NSDL) and UTIITSL. The portal you check status on depends on where you applied. You can also get an Instant e-PAN (free, in 10 minutes) directly from the Income Tax Department portal if you have an Aadhaar with linked mobile number. Status check methods, in order of speed:

  1. Instant e-PAN — incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal → Instant e-PAN — issued in 10 minutes if mobile linked to Aadhaar.
  2. NSDL/Protean PAN status — tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html.
  3. UTIITSL PAN status — trackpan.utiitsl.com.

Statutory reply timeline: 15 working days for new PAN, 10 days for correction/reprint. Beyond that, file an RTI to your Assessing Officer (AO) or to CPIO, CBDT.

🔔 Track PAN-Aadhaar linking deadlines and ITR refund schedules by email. Subscribe →

Method 1 — Instant e-PAN (fastest, free)

If your Aadhaar has a linked mobile number, you can get an Instant e-PAN in ~10 minutes for free.

  1. Open incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal.
  2. Click Instant e-PAN.
  3. Enter your Aadhaar number + mobile number (the one linked).
  4. Verify OTP.
  5. Click Get e-PAN. The e-PAN is issued and emailed.

Eligibility for Instant e-PAN: must NOT already have a PAN, must have Aadhaar, must have mobile linked to Aadhaar, must be Indian resident.

Method 2 — NSDL/Protean PAN status

For PAN applications submitted via Protean (NSDL):

  1. Open tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html.
  2. Pick Application Type: New PAN or Change/Correction.
  3. Enter your 15-digit Acknowledgement Number (from the receipt at the time of application).
  4. Click Submit. Status displays: Under Process, Dispatched, Delivered.

Track by name + DOB (if you've lost the acknowledgement):

  1. Same page, scroll down → Track by Name.
  2. Enter last name, first name, middle name, DOB (DD/MM/YYYY).
  3. Click Submit.

Method 3 — UTIITSL PAN status

For PAN applications submitted via UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Ltd):

  1. Open trackpan.utiitsl.com/PANONLINE.
  2. Enter Application Coupon Number OR PAN Number.
  3. Enter DOB + captcha.
  4. Click Submit.

Method 4 — Income Tax e-Filing portal

If you've already received your PAN and just want to verify it's active:

  1. Open incometax.gov.in → log in (PAN + password) OR Verify PAN (no login needed).
  2. The status (Active, Inactive, De-activated) is shown on the dashboard.
  3. PAN-Aadhaar link status is also visible here. As of 2026, PAN must be linked to Aadhaar by 31 March 2026 to remain active (per current CBDT notification).

Reading the status messages

Status What it means
Application Received Submitted, basic data entered.
Documents Verified KYC docs (Aadhaar / passport / etc) verified.
In Progress Income Tax Dept is generating the PAN.
PAN Allotted, Card Dispatched PAN generated; physical card sent via India Post.
Delivered Card delivered (track via India Post URL provided).
Returned Undelivered Address issue; re-application or correction needed.
Held / Defective Documents/photo issue. Contact NSDL/UTIITSL helpline.

If your PAN is stuck beyond 15 working days

Step 1 — Contact provider helpline

  • NSDL / Protean — tininfo@protean-tinpan.com · 020-27218080 (9 AM-6 PM Mon-Sat).
  • UTIITSL — utiitsl.gsd@utiitsl.com · 022-67931300.

Step 2 — File RTI to CBDT / AO

If helpline doesn't resolve in 7 days, file an RTI:

To CPIO, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), North Block, New Delhi - 110001
Subject: RTI under §6(1) — PAN application stuck
1. Current status of PAN application Acknowledgement Number [XXXXX], filed on [date].
2. Reason for delay beyond the 15-working-day SLA.
3. Action plan + estimated date of issuance.
4. SLA breach data — % of applications delayed beyond 15 days for FY 2025-26 in [Your] zone.

Use RTI Drafter to generate. Statutory reply: 30 days under §7(1) RTI Act 2005.

Step 3 — Income Tax Ombudsman

If RTI doesn't help and amount/inconvenience is significant, escalate to your Income Tax Ombudsman (one per zone — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, etc.). Address listed at incometax.gov.in.

PAN-Aadhaar linking — current status

  • Mandatory linking deadline: 31 March 2026 (per current CBDT notification).
  • Penalty for late linking: Rs 1,000 (CBDT Notification 17/2022).
  • If not linked, PAN becomes Inoperative — your bank, mutual fund, equity, ITR all start blocking.
  • Link via: incometax.gov.in/eportal → Link Aadhaar.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a fresh PAN take?

15 working days for the physical card via NSDL/UTIITSL. Instant e-PAN via Aadhaar OTP: 10 minutes (e-PAN only, physical card still takes 15 days).

I lost my PAN. How do I get a duplicate?

  1. File a Reprint Request via protean-tinpan.com → Reprint PAN.
  2. Cost: Rs 50 (e-PAN download) or Rs 107 (physical card delivered).
  3. Timeline: 10 working days.

My PAN shows "Inoperative". What does it mean?

You missed the PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline. PAN is suspended until you link + pay the Rs 1,000 fine. Re-activation: 30-45 days after payment.

Can someone else's PAN get linked to my Aadhaar?

Only one PAN per Aadhaar is permitted. If a duplicate is detected during linking, file a complaint with CBDT for de-duplication.

Is there a free PAN verification API?

Yes — protean-tinpan.com → PAN verification supports 1-50 PANs lookup, returns Active / Inactive. Free for registered users.

Apply for a home loan with your PAN (cross-promo)

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Sources

  • Income Tax Department — PAN guidelines.
  • Protean (NSDL) e-Gov — PAN service portal.
  • UTIITSL — PAN service portal.
  • CBDT Notification 17/2022 — PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline + penalty.
  • The Right to Information Act, 2005 — §6(1), §7(1).

Last reviewed: 5 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team.

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