link pan with aadhaar online

How to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online – Step-by-Step Guide

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🧾 Introduction: This Guide Will Help You Link PAN with Aadhaar Quickly

If you haven’t linked your PAN with Aadhaar yet, you’re at serious risk of your PAN card becoming inoperative. The Government of India has made it mandatory to link PAN with Aadhaar online, and failure to do so could result in problems with tax filing, banking, or even KYC verification.

But don’t worry — this guide will help you complete the process step by step using the Income Tax e-filing portal, mobile app, and also explain how Common Service Centers (CSCs) can assist you.

Whether you’re a salaried employee, business owner, senior citizen, or student with a PAN card — this article will show you how to link PAN with Aadhaar online, how to check your link status, what to do if it fails, and how CSCs can help in both urban and rural areas.

Let’s get started before the deadline sneaks up.

📌 Why Is It Mandatory to Link PAN with Aadhaar?

The government introduced PAN-Aadhaar linking to:

  • Eliminate duplicate PAN cards

  • Prevent tax evasion

  • Verify identity for digital services

  • Ensure secure banking and KYC

As per the Income Tax Act, unlinked PANs are considered inoperative and may attract penalties, delayed refunds, and rejection of financial services.

So if you still haven’t linked your PAN with Aadhaar, do it now — and this guide will make it easy.

✅ Prerequisites Before You Link PAN with Aadhaar Online

Before starting the process, keep the following ready:

  • Your 10-digit PAN card number

  • Your 12-digit Aadhaar number

  • Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number (to receive OTP)

  • ₹1,000 linking fee (mandatory)

🔐 Ensure that name, date of birth, and gender match in both Aadhaar and PAN

🔗 Step-by-Step: How to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online via Income Tax Portal

🖥️ Step 1: Visit Official e-Filing Portal

Go to https://www.incometax.gov.in

Click on “Link Pan with Aadhaar” from the home page.

📝 Step 2: Enter Your Details

You’ll be asked to enter:

  • PAN Number

  • Aadhaar Number

  • Mobile Number

  • Captcha or OTP verification

💳 Step 3: Pay the ₹1000 Fee

You’ll be redirected to TIN NSDL portal to make the payment.

  • Choose “Income Tax (Minor Head 500)”

  • Use net banking, UPI, or debit card

  • Save the receipt or acknowledgment number

💡 You must wait 4–5 hours after payment to proceed with linking.

✅ Step 4: Return to e-Filing Portal and Complete Linking

After payment clears:

  • Go back to https://www.incometax.gov.in

  • Click on “Link Aadhaar” again

  • Enter Aadhaar and PAN

  • Submit OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile

You’ll receive a confirmation message:
“Your PAN is successfully linked to Aadhaar.”

📲 How to Link PAN with Aadhaar via SMS

If you don’t have internet access, use this SMS format:

UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN>
Send to: 567678 or 56161

Example: UIDPAN 123456789012 ABCDE1234F

Make sure the SMS is sent from your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

📱 Link PAN with Aadhaar Using Mobile App

You can also use the Aaykar Setu app:

  1. Download the app from Google Play Store

  2. Open the app and select “Link Aadhaar”

  3. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar, and mobile number

  4. Receive OTP and confirm

The app is lightweight and especially useful in remote areas.

🧑‍💼 How CSC Centers Help Citizens Link PAN with Aadhaar

Don’t have a smartphone or internet access? Visit your nearest Common Service Center (CSC).

CSC operators can:

  • Access the Income Tax portal on your behalf

  • Help you pay the ₹1000 fee securely

  • Troubleshoot linking errors (e.g., name mismatch)

  • Reprint PAN acknowledgment

  • Provide biometric Aadhaar validation if needed

🏷️ CSC Service Fee: ₹50–₹100

CSC services are most helpful for:

  • Senior citizens

  • Farmers

  • Low-income workers

  • Rural families without smartphones

🔐 CSCs are government-authorized and safe for PAN/Aadhaar services.

🔍 How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status Online

  1. Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal

  2. Click “Link Aadhaar Status”

  3. Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number

  4. Submit to view the current status

If linked, it shows:

“Your PAN is already linked with Aadhaar.”

If pending or failed, follow the steps to retry.

🔄 What to Do If PAN Linking Fails

Some common reasons for failure:

  • Name mismatch between PAN and Aadhaar

  • Mobile number not linked with Aadhaar

  • Incorrect PAN or Aadhaar number

  • Delay in payment update

Solutions:

  • Update Aadhaar at nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or CSC

  • Retry after 24 hours if portal shows delay

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❓ FAQs – PAN Aadhaar Linking

Q1: Is it mandatory to link PAN with Aadhaar?

Yes. As per CBDT rules, it is mandatory for all PAN holders, except NRIs and those exempted by law.

Q2: Is there a fee to link PAN with Aadhaar?

Yes. ₹1000 must be paid before link pan with Aadhaar is allowed.

Q3: Can I link PAN and Aadhaar offline?

Yes, through CSCs or by visiting an NSDL PAN center.

Q4: What if I have two PAN cards?

You should surrender one. Having multiple PANs is illegal.

Q5: Will CSC give me a receipt?

Yes. CSCs issue digital receipts with acknowledgment number.

🧩 Conclusion

Linking your PAN with Aadhaar online is not just a formality, it’s a critical step to avoid disruption in your financial life. From ITR filing, bank KYC, insurance, to subsidies — everything depends on your PAN being active and linked.

The process is fast, online, and available through multiple platforms — Income Tax portal, SMS, mobile apps, and CSCs. Whether you’re tech-savvy or need support from a Common Service Center, you now know exactly how to link PAN with Aadhaar online securely and successfully.

Take 10 minutes and do it now — before it’s too late.

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