A Permanent Account Number (PAN) holder can update an incorrect name, date of birth, parent details, communication address, mobile number or email in the Income Tax Department database. This guide explains the revised 2026 PAN correction forms, online application through Protean eGov (formerly NSDL eGov) or UTIITSL, document requirements, paperless options and application tracking.
PAN correction law and forms applicable in 2026
PAN means Permanent Account Number, a unique ten-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department. A correction request updates the existing PAN record; it does not create a new PAN number. Existing valid PAN cards remain valid unless their details need correction or the holder requests a replacement card.
Section 262(4) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, read with Rule 158(12) of the Income-tax Rules, 2026, provides the statutory framework under which the Directorate of Income-tax (Systems) specified the PAN correction application forms and procedure. Its order dated 14 April 2026 prescribes PAN CR-01 for individuals and PAN CR-02 for non-individuals, effective from 1 April 2026. Applications may be submitted online through authorised providers or physically at their PAN centres.
The Income Tax Department PAN information page provides the current forms, applicable documents and official provider details. Older references to NSDL are references to the service now operated as Protean eGov.
Official PAN correction and update websites
How to change or correct PAN card details online
- Open the official portal. Visit Protean eGov's PAN application page or the UTIITSL correction service. Select the option for Changes or Correction in PAN Data.
- Select applicant category and prescribed form. Choose individual or the relevant non-individual category. PAN CR-01 applies to individuals; PAN CR-02 applies to non-individual applicants.
- Enter existing PAN and contact details. Provide the PAN already allotted, name, date of birth or incorporation, mobile number and email as required. Protean may issue a temporary token to resume an unfinished application.
- Choose submission mode. Where eligible, use Aadhaar e-KYC and e-Sign, scanned documents with e-Sign, digital signature or physical document submission. Available modes depend on the applicant and portal.
- Mark the particulars requiring correction. Select the relevant check boxes for core data such as name, parent details or date of birth, and provide corrected information. Enter communication address and contact particulars accurately.
- Provide supporting evidence. Select acceptable identity, address, date-of-birth or incorporation and change-of-name documents, as relevant to the requested correction. Follow the portal's file-format and size rules.
- Review and pay. Check spelling, dates, PAN and document consistency. Select physical card or e-PAN, if offered, and pay the fee shown by the authorised provider for the chosen mode.
- Authenticate and submit. Complete OTP/e-Sign or digital-signature authentication for paperless applications, or print and sign the acknowledgement and dispatch supporting documents where physical mode requires it.
- Save the acknowledgement. Keep the acknowledgement or coupon number and receipt. Use the provider's tracking facility to check progress and respond promptly to any deficiency notice.
Documents required for PAN name, address and date-of-birth correction
Required evidence depends on the applicant category and the detail being corrected. The Income Tax Department's 2026 PAN guidance identifies proof of identity, proof of address and proof of date of birth or incorporation under Rule 158. Check the current provider-specific list before applying.
| Correction | Evidence generally relevant |
|---|---|
| Name or spelling | Acceptable identity evidence showing the correct name; where the name has legally changed, the supporting change-of-name record required by the provider |
| Date of birth | Acceptable proof of date of birth consistent with the requested correction |
| Communication address | Acceptable address proof, or eligible Aadhaar-based address import |
| Mobile number or email | Updated contact information and any OTP or identity authentication requested by the provider |
| Non-individual entity details | Relevant incorporation, registration or formation documents and authorised-signatory evidence |
For a correction of a name following marriage, a legal name change or a spelling discrepancy, do not assume that a self-declaration alone is sufficient. Use the specific documents accepted under the applicable form instructions.
Free PAN address, mobile and email update using Aadhaar
Eligible holders with a PAN linked to Aadhaar can use Protean's free Aadhaar-based address update facility. After successful OTP/e-KYC authentication, the address held in Aadhaar is used to update the PAN database. The service also permits confirmation of mobile number and email for database updating, subject to the provider's conditions.
UTIITSL also offers an Aadhaar-based address update service. This route is unsuitable if you need an address different from the Aadhaar address; use a regular PAN correction request with the appropriate proof instead. Updating the PAN database does not necessarily mean a new physical PAN card is issued.
PAN correction fees, e-PAN and physical submission
Fees depend on the provider, paperless versus physical mode, whether a laminated PAN card is requested and the communication country. The Income Tax Department's current fee table lists charges for these categories. Confirm the amount displayed by the official provider before payment; additional applicable e-Sign charges may apply.
Paperless applications: Successful e-KYC/e-Sign or digital-signature submissions generally do not require posting a signed acknowledgement or hard-copy supporting documents. Physical mode: Print the acknowledgement, sign where required, attach the photograph and acceptable documents if instructed, and send the package to the provider address specified in the acknowledgement within its stipulated time. Do not post documents to an address copied from an outdated guide.
If you already have a PAN and merely need a replacement card without changes, use the PAN card reprint guide rather than applying for a second PAN.
Track the status of a PAN correction request
After submission, retain the acknowledgement number, temporary token or UTIITSL coupon number. Check status on the service provider used for your application. You can also consult the site's guides for Protean PAN application status, UTIITSL application status and PAN status tracking options.
Processing time varies according to verification, completeness of documents and delivery mode. Do not assume that a corrected physical card will arrive within a fixed number of days.
Common errors to avoid
- Using obsolete NSDL pages or legacy screenshots instead of current Protean eGov application services.
- Choosing a fresh PAN application when a PAN already exists; a correction preserves the existing PAN number.
- Failing to mark the particular data field to be changed or supplying documents inconsistent with the correction.
- Assuming every online application requires courier dispatch, even when paperless verification is completed.
- Assuming the free Aadhaar address service can update the PAN database to an address that differs from Aadhaar.
- Sharing PAN, Aadhaar, OTP or payment credentials with unauthorised intermediaries.
Frequently asked questions
Which form is used for PAN correction in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, individuals use PAN CR-01 and non-individuals use PAN CR-02, as prescribed by the Income-tax Department.
Can I correct my PAN name or date of birth online?
Yes. Submit a change or correction request through Protean eGov or UTIITSL with suitable supporting documents and complete the applicable verification and payment steps.
Is updating the PAN address free?
Eligible PAN holders whose PAN is linked with Aadhaar can use the free Aadhaar-based address update facility to import the address in Aadhaar records. Other address changes may require a regular correction application.
Will my PAN number change after a correction?
No. The existing ten-character PAN remains the same; only the accepted particulars in the PAN database are updated.
Must I courier documents after an online PAN correction request?
Not always. A successfully completed paperless e-KYC/e-Sign or digital signature application generally does not require sending physical documents. Physical mode requires the acknowledgement and supporting documents to be sent as instructed.
How can I check the status of a PAN correction application?
Use the application acknowledgement or coupon number on the relevant Protean eGov or UTIITSL tracking service.
This article is general procedural information. Requirements, fees and online interface labels may change. Always confirm the applicable form, supporting documents and instructions on the official Income Tax Department, Protean eGov or UTIITSL portal before submitting personal information.