A small business owner needed his PAN card urgently for a loan application but had misplaced the physical card years ago. He assumed he’d need to visit a PAN centre and wait weeks for a reprint. Instead, he downloaded a free digital copy in under five minutes — because his PAN had been issued through Protean (the company formerly known as NSDL e-Gov), and e-PAN downloads are free within the eligible window.
PAN (Permanent Account Number) is administered by the Income Tax Department through two authorised service providers: Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL e-Gov) and UTIITSL. Both handle new applications, downloads, corrections, and reprints — but a citizen’s PAN is tied to whichever provider originally processed it, which determines which portal to use.
Quick Answer: Download e-PAN (Protean): onlineservices.proteantech.in → Download e-PAN → PAN + Aadhaar + DOB + OTP Download e-PAN (UTIITSL): pan.utiitsl.com → Download e-PAN → PAN + DOB + Aadhaar + OTP Instant e-PAN (new, free, 10 min): incometax.gov.in → Instant e-PAN → Aadhaar + OTP (only if you don’t already have a PAN) Status Check: Track via acknowledgement number on Protean or UTIITSL site, or SMS “NSDLPAN [15-digit number]” to 57575 PDF Password: Your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format
⭐ Protean (NSDL) vs UTIITSL — Which One Is Yours?
Protean eGov Technologies = formerly known as NSDL e-Gov — one of two authorised PAN service providers UTIITSL = UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited — the other authorised provider Your PAN is tied to whichever one originally processed your application — using the wrong portal won’t find your record.
Not sure which one issued your PAN? Check your original PAN allotment letter/email — it will mention either Protean/NSDL or UTIITSL. If genuinely unsure, try both portals using your PAN number and date of birth.
Download e-PAN — Protean (NSDL) Method
Step 1: Visit onlineservices.proteantech.in → “Download e-PAN”
Step 2: Enter PAN Number, Aadhaar Number (if linked), Date of Birth, Captcha
Step 3: Submit → Choose OTP delivery: Email or Mobile
Step 4: Enter OTP → Validate
Step 5: Free within 30 days of PAN allotment/confirmation. After 30 days, a small fee (₹8.26) applies before the download link is emailed.
Step 6: PDF arrives via email — download and open with your password
Download e-PAN — UTIITSL Method
Step 1: Visit pan.utiitsl.com → “Download e-PAN”
Step 2: Enter PAN Number, Date of Birth, Aadhaar Number, Captcha → Submit
Step 3: Select OTP delivery as Email → Tick declaration → “Generate OTP”
Step 4: Enter OTP → Validate
Step 5: If downloading after 30 days of issuance, a payment step applies first
Step 6: e-PAN sent to your email → click the link to download
⭐ PDF Password — Simple Format
Your e-PAN PDF is password-protected. Password = your Date of Birth in DDMMYYYY format (no slashes). Example: Born June 24, 1980 → Password = 24061980 (For companies/HUF, this would be the date of incorporation in the same format.)
⭐ Instant e-PAN — Free, Paperless, 10 Minutes
Best option if you don’t already have a PAN and want one fast:
Step 1: Visit incometax.gov.in (e-Filing portal) → “Instant e-PAN”
Step 2: Click “Get New e-PAN”
Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar Number → Tick consent
Step 4: OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile → Enter OTP
Step 5: Click “Get e-PAN” — issued within approximately 10 minutes, emailed to you
Eligibility — all must apply:
- You must not already have a PAN
- You must have a valid Aadhaar number
- Your mobile must be linked to Aadhaar
- You must be an Indian resident individual
This is paperless and completely free — only an e-PAN is issued (no physical card through this route). For a physical card, apply for reprint separately afterward.
PAN Status Check — Step by Step
Via Protean (NSDL): tin.tin.nsdl.com (PAN status tracking page) → Select Application Type (“PAN – New/Change Request”) → Enter your 15-digit acknowledgement number → Submit
Via UTIITSL: trackpan.utiitsl.com → Enter PAN number or application coupon number + Date of Birth → Captcha → Submit
Via SMS (no internet needed): Send “NSDLPAN [15-digit acknowledgement number]” to 57575
Via Call: Dial 020-27218080 → enter your 15-digit acknowledgement number when prompted
Via WhatsApp: Send “Hi” to 8096078080 → consent → Services → Status of Application → PAN Application → enter acknowledgement number
No acknowledgement number? Unfortunately, there’s currently no alternate way to check status on Protean without it — locate your original application receipt/email.
What Each Status Means
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Application is inwarded | Received and entered into the system, processing begun |
| Under Process | Document/data verification underway |
| Dispatched | Physical card sent — track via courier reference if provided |
| Deleted | Contact the department immediately — this needs manual resolution |
⭐ PAN Card Reprint — When You Need a Physical Copy
For lost, damaged, or never-received physical PAN cards (no data change needed):
Step 1: Protean: onlineservices.proteantech.in → “Reprint of PAN Card”, or UTIITSL: pan.utiitsl.com → Reprint section
Step 2: Enter PAN Number, Aadhaar, Date of Birth, Captcha → Submit
Step 3: Verify via OTP
Step 4: Pay the applicable fee:
| Delivery | Fee |
|---|---|
| Within India | ₹50 (inclusive of taxes) |
| Outside India | ₹959 (inclusive of taxes) |
Step 5: Acknowledgement receipt generated — save this to track dispatch
Reprint is only available if your most recent PAN application was processed through Protean, or if you obtained your PAN via Instant e-PAN.
⭐ PAN Correction — Important April 2026 Rule Change
Effective April 1, 2026, PAN correction rules were revised. Individual modification requests now require the newly notified Form PAN CR-01. PAN identity details must now match Aadhaar records exactly during verification. Aadhaar alone is no longer sufficient as standalone proof for date-of-birth verification in many correction cases — additional documents are now required.
Common misconception clarified: The Income Tax e-Filing portal’s Instant e-PAN facility is meant only for fresh PAN allotments — it cannot process corrections, demographic updates, or reprints. These must go through Protean or UTIITSL only, the two officially authorised entities.
Online correction steps (Protean): onlineservices.proteantech.in → “Change/Correction in PAN Data” → Fill form → Upload supporting documents → Pay applicable fee → Submit → Track via acknowledgement number
⭐ PAN 2.0 — QR Code Upgrade
Existing PAN holders can upgrade to the PAN 2.0 ecosystem (QR-code enabled) through Protean or UTIITSL. Step 1: Visit the PAN 2.0/reprint section on either portal → Enter PAN details Step 2: Select OTP mode (mobile/email/both) → Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC Step 3: e-PAN (digital, QR-enabled): free download via registered email Step 4: Physical PAN 2.0 card: requires online payment; dispatched via Speed Post
Common Problems + Fix
“Don’t know if my PAN is Protean or UTIITSL”: Check your original allotment email/letter. If unavailable, try both portals with your PAN and DOB — only the correct one will return your record.
“e-PAN download asking for payment unexpectedly”: This happens if more than 30 days have passed since your PAN allotment/last update. Pay the applicable small fee (₹8.26 on Protean) to proceed.
“Lost acknowledgement number, can’t check status”: There is currently no alternate lookup method without it on Protean. Search your email for the original application confirmation.
“Correction request rejected — date of birth mismatch”: Since April 2026, Aadhaar alone may not suffice for DOB verification in some cases. Submit an additional valid DOB proof document as required under the revised rules.
“Tried correcting PAN via Income Tax e-Filing portal — no option found”: That portal only handles fresh Instant e-PAN issuance, not corrections or reprints. Use Protean or UTIITSL specifically for these services.
“PAN status shows ‘Deleted'”: Contact the relevant department (Protean or UTIITSL customer care) immediately for manual resolution — this requires direct follow-up, not a portal fix.
FAQ
Is e-PAN as valid as a physical PAN card? Yes — in most cases, e-PAN is accepted exactly like a physical card for identity and tax purposes, though some institutions may still specifically request a physical card.
How much does PAN card reprint cost? ₹50 for delivery within India, ₹959 for delivery outside India (both inclusive of taxes).
Can I get an Instant e-PAN if I already have a PAN? No — Instant e-PAN is only for individuals who do not already have a PAN allotted.
What is the password to open my downloaded e-PAN PDF? Your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (e.g., 24061980 for June 24, 1980).
Can PAN corrections be done through the Income Tax e-Filing portal? No — corrections, demographic updates, and reprints must go through Protean or UTIITSL specifically; the e-Filing portal’s Instant e-PAN feature is for fresh allotments only.
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Protean (NSDL) PAN Services | onlineservices.proteantech.in |
| UTIITSL PAN Services | pan.utiitsl.com |
| Instant e-PAN | incometax.gov.in |
| SMS Status Check | NSDLPAN [number] to 57575 |
| Customer Care | 020-27218080 |
The business owner had his PAN copy in hand within minutes — free, because he checked within the 30-day window and used the correct portal matching his original application.
Whether you need to download, check status, correct details, or get a fresh PAN — confirm first whether your PAN is Protean or UTIITSL-issued, and use Instant e-PAN only if you’ve never had a PAN before.
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