Not sure whether your PAN is linked with Aadhaar, or got a message that your PAN is “inoperative”? This guide explains how to check your PAN Aadhaar link status online and by SMS, and how to link the two if they are not connected yet. It is written for salaried people, students, freelancers and anyone who files ITR or invests.
Quick answer: Go to the Income Tax e-Filing portal (incometax.gov.in), click Link Aadhaar Status under Quick Links, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click View. No login is needed. If it is not linked, pay the ₹1,000 late fee through e-Pay Tax, then use the Link Aadhaar option with OTP verification.
Note: This article is general information, not tax or financial advice. Rules and fees can change, so always check the official Income Tax e-Filing portal before paying.
Why PAN-Aadhaar Linking Matters in 2026
Under Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, most individuals who have a PAN and are eligible for Aadhaar must link the two. The government set 30 June 2023 as the last date for most PAN holders. PANs that were not linked by then became inoperative.
A separate group – people whose PAN was issued using an Aadhaar enrolment ID (before the actual Aadhaar number was generated) before 1 October 2024 – was given time until 31 December 2025 to link their actual Aadhaar number. Reports said such PANs would become inoperative from 1 January 2026 if not linked.
So, as of late 2026, there is no “free” deadline left for the common case. If your PAN is still not linked, you can still link it, but you have to pay a late fee first.
What happens if your PAN is inoperative
An inoperative PAN does not get cancelled, but it stops working for many tax and money matters. The main problems are:
- No income tax refund is issued while the PAN stays inoperative, and no interest is paid on that refund for that period.
- Higher TDS and TCS – deductions can happen at a much higher rate than normal (generally 20% for TDS, where the normal rate is lower).
- Trouble with banks and investments – KYC for mutual funds, demat accounts, fixed deposits above limits, and some loan applications can get stuck.
- Problems while filing ITR and processing returns.
If you are planning a loan, it is a good idea to fix this first. Lenders check PAN as part of KYC – see our guide on how to get a personal loan from SBI for the typical documents banks ask for.
How to Check PAN Aadhaar Link Status Online
The official and most reliable way is the Income Tax e-Filing portal. You can check the status without logging in.
Method 1: Without login (fastest)
- Open the official site incometax.gov.in.
- On the homepage, find the Quick Links section and click Link Aadhaar Status.
- Enter your 10-character PAN and 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Click View Link Aadhaar Status.
- The result appears on screen within seconds.
Method 2: After logging in to e-Filing
If you already have an e-Filing account, log in with your PAN and password. Open My Profile and look at the Aadhaar section, or go to the Dashboard where a Link Aadhaar Status option is shown. If your Aadhaar is linked, the masked Aadhaar number appears in your profile.
Method 3: Check by SMS
The SMS method has been widely used for years. Type a message in this format and send it to 567678 or 56161:
UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar> <10-character PAN>
Example: UIDPAN 123456789012 ABCDE1234F
You should get a reply saying whether the two are linked. Normal SMS charges may apply. If you get no reply, use the online method above – it is the official record.
What Each Status Message Means
The portal shows one of a few standard messages. Here is what they mean and what to do next.
| Message you see (in short) | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your PAN is already linked to the given Aadhaar | Linking is complete | Nothing – you are done |
| Link Aadhaar request has been sent to UIDAI for validation | Request is under process | Check again after a few days |
| PAN not linked with Aadhaar | Linking not done | Pay ₹1,000 fee, then link |
| PAN is linked to some other Aadhaar | Wrong Aadhaar linked earlier | Contact your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer to delink |
| Details mismatch / validation failed | Name, date of birth or gender differ | Correct the details in PAN or Aadhaar, then retry |
How to Link PAN with Aadhaar (Step by Step)
If your status shows “not linked”, the process has two parts: pay the late fee, then submit the link request. Keep your PAN, Aadhaar and the mobile number registered with Aadhaar handy.
Step 1: Pay the ₹1,000 late fee
- On incometax.gov.in, open e-Pay Tax from Quick Links (you can also do it after logging in).
- Enter your PAN twice and your mobile number, then verify with the OTP.
- Choose the Income Tax tile.
- Select the assessment year shown by the portal and choose payment type Other Receipts (500).
- In the sub-type, pick Fee for delay in linking PAN with Aadhaar. The amount ₹1,000 is filled in.
- Pay using net banking, debit card, UPI or another option offered, and save the challan receipt.
Important: The payment can take a few days to reflect on the portal. Wait before submitting the link request. Also, choose the correct head – the portal says there is no refund provision for this fee, and paying under the wrong head is a common mistake.
Step 2: Submit the Link Aadhaar request
- Go back to the homepage and click Link Aadhaar under Quick Links.
- Enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click Validate. The portal checks whether the fee is paid.
- Enter your name exactly as in Aadhaar and the mobile number, and tick the consent box.
- Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your mobile and click Validate.
- A message confirms that the request has been sent to UIDAI. Check your status again after a few days.
Once linking is complete, the inoperative PAN becomes operative again. This is not always instant – some guides say it can take up to around 30 days – so do it well before you need to file ITR or apply for a loan.
Who Does Not Need to Link PAN with Aadhaar
The government has exempted some categories from mandatory linking. As per the CBDT notification, these include:
- Residents of Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Meghalaya.
- Non-residents (NRIs) as per the Income-tax Act.
- People who are not citizens of India.
- People aged 80 years or more at any time during the previous year.
Even if you fall in an exempt group, your PAN may show as inoperative if the department does not have your residential status on record. NRIs in particular should check their status and update their residential status with their Jurisdictional Assessing Officer if needed.
How to Fix a Name or Date of Birth Mismatch
The most common reason linking fails is that details in PAN and Aadhaar do not match – for example “Rahul Kumar” in one and “Rahul K.” in the other, or a different date of birth. You need to correct the wrong one.
| Where the error is | Where to correct it | Typical method |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar (name, DOB, gender) | UIDAI – myAadhaar portal or Aadhaar Seva Kendra | Online for some fields; centre visit for others |
| PAN (name, DOB, father’s name) | Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL PAN portal | “Change/Correction in PAN” form with proof |
| Small difference only | PAN service centre of Protean/UTIITSL | Biometric-based linking (a fee applies) |
After correcting, wait until the updated details reflect in the database, then try linking again. If you need a fresh copy of your Aadhaar for correction, read our guide on how to download Aadhaar card with mobile number.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using unofficial websites or apps that charge extra “service fees”. The status check on the official portal is free.
- Clicking links in SMS or email saying “your PAN will be blocked today”. The Income Tax Department does not ask for OTPs or bank details over calls or messages.
- Paying the fee under the wrong head – it must be “Other Receipts (500)”.
- Submitting the link request immediately after paying – wait a few days for the payment to reflect.
- Having an old mobile number in Aadhaar – OTP will not reach you. Update the mobile number at an Aadhaar centre first.
PAN-Aadhaar Link and Your Credit Profile
Your PAN is the main identifier credit bureaus use to build your credit report. An inoperative PAN does not directly lower your credit score, but it can delay loan and credit card applications because lenders cannot complete KYC smoothly. If you are working on your borrowing profile, our guide on how to improve credit score explains the steps that actually move the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check my PAN Aadhaar link status without login?
Open incometax.gov.in, click “Link Aadhaar Status” under Quick Links, enter your PAN and Aadhaar number and click View. The result appears on screen. No account or password is needed.
Is it still possible to link PAN with Aadhaar in 2026?
Yes. The deadlines have passed, but you can still link by paying a late fee of ₹1,000 through e-Pay Tax on the e-Filing portal. After the fee reflects, submit the Link Aadhaar request with OTP verification.
How long does it take for an inoperative PAN to become active again?
It is not always immediate. After UIDAI validates the request, the PAN is made operative again, which commonly takes from a few days up to around 30 days. Check your status on the portal periodically.
Can I get a refund of the ₹1,000 fee if I paid by mistake?
The portal’s guidance says there is no provision to refund the late fee paid under Minor Head 500. That is why you should first check your status – if it is already linked, you do not need to pay anything.
Which SMS number is used to check PAN Aadhaar link status?
Send “UIDPAN <Aadhaar number> <PAN>” to 567678 or 56161. You should receive a reply about the link status. If the SMS service does not respond, rely on the online status check, which is the official record.
What if my PAN is linked to someone else’s Aadhaar?
This can happen due to a data entry error. You need to contact your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (AO) with a delinking request and proof. Your AO details are visible on the e-Filing portal under “Know Your AO”.
Do NRIs need to link PAN with Aadhaar?
Non-residents are exempt from mandatory linking. However, if the department’s records do not show you as an NRI, your PAN may still appear inoperative. In that case, update your residential status with your Jurisdictional AO.
Final Thoughts
Checking your PAN Aadhaar link status takes less than a minute on incometax.gov.in, and it is worth doing before you file ITR, start a SIP or apply for a loan. If it is not linked, pay the ₹1,000 fee under the correct head, wait for it to reflect, and then submit the link request. Fix any name or date-of-birth mismatch first, use only official websites, and never share your OTP with anyone who calls you.
