Apply for PAN Card Online Through Protean (Formerly NSDL)
Learn how to apply for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) in India using the Protean eGov portal, formerly associated with NSDL PAN services. This guide covers the revised 2026 forms, required documents, submission, payment and application tracking.
Legal provisions governing PAN
Section 262 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 governs allotment and use of Permanent Account Numbers, including the circumstances in which PAN is required. Rule 158 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026 prescribes the application forms, applicant categories, documents and related procedures. Rule 159 addresses prescribed transactions for quoting or applying for PAN. Rule 162 concerns PAN becoming inoperative for specified Aadhaar-intimation failures, subject to applicable exemptions and conditions.
Consult the Income Tax Department PAN guidance and official 2026 forms FAQs for the latest applicable instructions.
Which PAN application form should you select?
| Applicant | New form (from 1 April 2026) | Earlier form |
|---|---|---|
| Individual citizen of India | Form 93 | Form 49A |
| Indian non-individual entity | Form 94 | Form 49A |
| Individual who is not an Indian citizen | Form 95 | Form 49AA |
| Foreign non-individual entity | Form 96 | Form 49AA |
An NRI who remains an Indian citizen generally uses the Indian-citizen category; citizenship, rather than residence alone, determines the individual form. The official portal may request additional particulars for non-resident applicants.
Step-by-step online PAN application through Protean
- Open the authorised portal: Visit Protean PAN services and select the new PAN application option. Protean eGov Technologies is the successor name for the former NSDL e-Governance PAN service.
- Choose the correct applicant form: Select Form 93, 94, 95 or 96 according to citizenship and entity status. Do not select a legacy Form 49A or 49AA for a fresh application made after 1 April 2026.
- Select applicant status: Identify whether the applicant is an individual, company, firm, LLP, HUF, trust, association or another applicable category.
- Enter personal or entity details: Provide full name, date of birth or incorporation, contact information, address, parent details where required and any relevant representative-assesse information.
- Provide tax and jurisdiction details: Enter source of income, Assessing Officer (AO) code and other mandatory particulars as requested by the portal.
- Select supporting documents: Choose acceptable proof of identity, address and date of birth or incorporation under Rule 158, as relevant to the form.
- Choose submission method: Follow the options offered for electronic verification, document upload or physical submission. Available methods depend on applicant eligibility and portal facilities.
- Review and submit: Check names, dates, Aadhaar details where applicable, addresses and document information before final confirmation.
- Pay the displayed fee: Use the payment options made available by the provider. Charges can vary with dispatch location, physical card or e-PAN options and other service requirements.
- Save the acknowledgement: Download or print the acknowledgement and retain its reference number for future tracking.
- Complete document verification: If physical submission is required, sign the acknowledgement, affix photographs where instructed and send the prescribed documents to the address shown in the current acknowledgement. Do not courier documents when an accepted paperless process has been completed.
- Track your application: Use the provider's application-status service with the acknowledgement or other requested reference details.
Documents required for a PAN application
Document requirements depend on the applicant category and verification route. Indian individual applicants typically need acceptable proof of identity, address and date of birth. Under the revised rules, an Aadhaar card may serve as proof of identity and address, but it should not automatically be treated as sufficient proof of date of birth. A valid Indian passport, driving licence or voter identity card may meet multiple categories subject to the prescribed list and the document's particulars.
Companies, LLPs, firms and other entities generally provide prescribed registration or constitution documents. Foreign individuals and foreign entities may need passports, tax identification information, foreign incorporation records or appropriately attested supporting documents. Always follow the specific document list for Form 93, 94, 95 or 96 under Rule 158.
Fees, acknowledgement and delivery
Complete payment only through the authorised payment flow. After successful submission, save the acknowledgement or transaction reference. The physical PAN card, where requested, is dispatched after processing and verification; e-PAN delivery may be available depending on the service chosen. Processing and dispatch times are not guaranteed and depend on verification and the service provider.
Track PAN application status online
Applicants can follow the NSDL / Protean PAN application status guide or use the status link on the official Protean PAN services website. Keep the acknowledgement number and date of birth or incorporation available, as applicable.
PAN correction, reprint and duplicate applications
If you already hold a PAN, do not submit another new-PAN application. Use the applicable correction form or reprint facility to update your details or obtain a replacement card. The 2026 framework prescribes separate correction forms for individuals and non-individuals.
Earlier NSDL portal screenshots
The following screenshots from the original guide are retained for historical reference. They illustrate the older application interface and Forms 49A / 49AA; they must not be used as the current 2026 application workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Which PAN form applies from 1 April 2026?
Form 93 for Indian citizens, Form 94 for Indian entities, Form 95 for non-Indian individuals, and Form 96 for foreign entities.
Is NSDL still the PAN application provider?
PAN services formerly associated with NSDL are operated by Protean eGov Technologies. Use the official Protean PAN services portal.
Must I apply again if I already have PAN?
No. Existing PANs remain valid. Apply for correction or reprint instead of requesting another PAN.
Are older pending PAN applications invalid?
No. Applications pending on 31 March 2026 continue to be valid under the transition guidance.
Additional links retained from the original article
The following links were included in the earlier NSDL application guide. Older provider pages may have been replaced; use the current Protean service portal if a legacy link no longer works.
- To Apply for new PAN Card through NSDL website
- To Apply for new PAN Card through NSDL website
- New PAN for Foreign Citizens Citizen (Form 49AA
- PAN for Indian Citizen (Form 49A)
- NSDL PAN Card Status online
Information is general guidance. Always rely on the applicable law, official notifications and the current PAN service provider instructions when filing an application.