Getting your financial identity in order often starts with a PAN, a government-issued identifier that plays a key role in many banking, investment, and tax-related processes in India. The Permanent Account Number (PAN) is an essential ten-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department for individuals and entities engaged in various tax and high-value financial transactions in India.
While the process of getting a PAN has become faster and more digital, understanding the applicable PAN application fees is crucial to avoid any surprises during your PAN application.
The Cost of Your Financial Identity
Applying for a new PAN is a straightforward process, but the fees vary based on whether your communication address is in India or outside India, and whether you opt for a physical PAN card or only an e‑PAN.
For Indian Citizens (Resident & Non-Resident)
If you have a communication address within India, the fees are quite affordable. The government has structured these to encourage digital adoption while still providing physical cards for those who need them.
- Physical PAN Card + e-PAN: If you want a plastic card delivered to your doorstep along with a digital version sent to your email, the fee is ₹107 (including GST).
- e-PAN Card Only: For those who prefer a purely digital experience and do not require a physical card, the fee is significantly lower at ₹72.
For Foreign Citizens
individuals or entities with a communication address outside India, the costs are higher due to international dispatch charges.
- Physical PAN Card + e-PAN: The total fee is approximately ₹1,017, which covers the application processing and international courier charges.
Fees for Changes or Corrections
Life changes—you might move to a new house, change your surname after marriage, or simply notice a typo in your original application. Correcting these details on your PAN card involves lower fees than a new application.
- In-India Communication Address: ₹50 (inclusive of GST) for a physical card update.
- Outside-India Communication Address: ₹959 (inclusive of GST) for international updates.
Lost or Damaged? Fees for Reprinting a PAN Card
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond recognition, you don't need a new number (in fact, having two PAN numbers is illegal and carries a heavy penalty). Instead, you apply for a reprint of the existing card.
- Reprint with Dispatch in India: ₹50 (This is a simplified fee specifically for reprinting without changing any data).
- e-PAN Download: If you only need the digital file, you can download it free if issued/updated in the last 30 days; otherwise, a nominal fee of ₹8.26 (inclusive of taxes) applies.
The PAN-Aadhaar Linking Penalty
One of the most important financial deadlines in recent years has been the mandatory PAN Aadhaar link. If you missed the initial free window, you must now pay a late fee to make your PAN operative again.
A ₹1,000 late fee must be paid via the e-filing portal's e-Pay Tax before submitting the linking request. Without this link, your PAN will become inoperative, leading to higher tax deductions and an inability to use certain banking services.
The Rise of the Instant e-PAN
For those in an absolute hurry, the Income Tax Department offers an "Instant e-PAN" service based on Aadhaar e-KYC.
Currently, this service is free of cost and provides a digitally signed PAN in near real-time.
However, this is only available for individuals who have never been allotted a PAN before and possess a valid Aadhaar with an updated mobile number.
Why Does It Cost This Much?
The fees you pay are not just for the plastic card. They cover several administrative and technological layers:
- Application Processing: The verification of your documents by Points of Presence (POPs) such as banks, with CRA oversight by Protean eGov Technologies.
- Central Recordkeeping: Maintaining your data securely in the national database.
- Digital Infrastructure: The technology that allows for real-time verification and digital signatures.
- Dispatch Charges: Printing and securely mailing the card via India Post.
Conclusion
While the pan card fees in 2026 remain very low for most residents, the value the card provides is immense. From opening a simple savings account to buying property or investing in the stock market, your pan is your primary financial passport
Ensuring your PAN card application is accurate and your PAN is linked to Aadhaar by December 31, 2025" to specify the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the fee for an e-PAN card only for an Indian resident?
The fee for an e-PAN (digital version) sent via email is ₹66 (paperless online) or ₹72 (PAN centers/physical mode).
Q2: How much do I have to pay if I lose my PAN card and need a new physical one?
If you need a reprint of your card with no changes to your data and it is to be delivered within India, the fee is ₹50.
Q3: Is the ₹1,000 Aadhaar linking fee still mandatory in 2026?
Yes, the penalty for linking your PAN with Aadhaar after the deadline remains ₹1,000.
