Linking your PAN card with Aadhaar card is mandatory for filing income tax returns and for many financial transactions in India. The good news is—you can easily do it by yourself, without visiting any office.
In this blog, we explain all the methods, common problems, and solutions in a simple and clear way.
Why Is PAN–Aadhaar Linking Important?
- Mandatory as per Income Tax rules
- PAN becomes inoperative if not linked
- Required for filing Income Tax Returns
- Needed for bank accounts and high-value financial transactions
- Helps avoid penalties
What You Need Before Linking
Keep the following details ready:
- PAN card number
- Aadhaar card number
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar (for OTP)
Note: Name and Date of Birth should match on both PAN and Aadhaar.
Method 1: Link PAN with Aadhaar Online (Fastest Way)
This is the most recommended method.
Step-by-Step Process
- Visit the official Income Tax portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in
- Click on “Link Aadhaar” on the homepage
- Enter your PAN number and Aadhaar number
- Verify personal details
- Tick the declaration checkbox
- Click “Link Aadhaar”
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile
Success message will confirm that PAN and Aadhaar are linked.
Penalty for Late Linking
If PAN and Aadhaar were not linked before the deadline, a ₹1000 penalty may apply.
- Payment can be made on the Income Tax portal
- Linking can be completed after successful payment
Method 2: Link PAN with Aadhaar via SMS
This method works only if PAN and Aadhaar details already match.
Send SMS from Aadhaar-linked mobile number to:
567678 or 56161
UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-digit PAN>
Example:
UIDPAN 123412341234 ABCDE1234F
You will receive a confirmation SMS if linking is successful.
Common Errors While Linking PAN and Aadhaar
- Name mismatch (even small spelling differences)
- Date of Birth mismatch
- PAN card inactive
- Aadhaar not linked with mobile number
How to Fix These Issues
- Update PAN details via NSDL or UTIITSL
- Update Aadhaar details at Aadhaar Seva Kendra
- Activate PAN if inactive
- Link mobile number with Aadhaar
After corrections, retry the linking process.
Method 3: Offline PAN–Aadhaar Linking
If online methods do not work:
- Visit nearest PAN service center (NSDL / UTIITSL)
- Carry PAN card and Aadhaar card
- Request PAN–Aadhaar linking
- Small service charge may apply
Linking PAN with Aadhaar is simple, quick, and essential. Doing it yourself saves time and avoids penalties. Ensure your details match and complete the process as early as possible.
