Tipping point: What is electronic PAN and how to apply for it

What is e-PAN?

If you don’t have a Permanent Account Number (PAN), you can now get Instant e-PAN from the income-tax (I-T) department’s website. It is a digitally signed PAN card issued in electronic format by the I-T department on the basis of your Aadhaar. The service, which started on 29 June, is available only for a limited period on a first-come-first-serve basis. It’s free of cost.

How to get it? 

An applicant can apply for e-PAN through incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. As of now, the facility is available only for individuals. It is not available for non-resident Indians. To apply for e-PAN, one needs to have an Aadhaar with an updated mobile number. An OTP is sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar, to conduct the e-KYC. Applicants do not need to provide any supporting documents.