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Income Tax

PAN Card Status: What Each Stage Means and What to Do Next

Track PAN with Protean's 15-digit acknowledgement number or UTIITSL's coupon number; here is what each status means and what to do.

RM

Written by Rohan Mehta

Published 17 September 2026·5 min read

On this page9 sections
Credsir Income Tax guide cover with a id card icon

Track a PAN application with the number you got when you applied: the 15-digit acknowledgement number for Protean, the coupon number for UTIITSL, or the acknowledgement ID for an instant e-PAN. Protean shows status three days after you apply. “Under process” needs no action; “no record found” or a rejection means you must check your details or reapply.

Key facts

Where you applied Number you need Where to track
Protean (NSDL) 15-digit acknowledgement number Status Track page, IVR 08069708080, WhatsApp 8096078080
UTIITSL Coupon number UTIITSL’s PAN status tracking page
Instant e-PAN (e-Filing portal) Aadhaar number and OTP Instant e-PAN > Check Status / Download PAN

If you already have a PAN and want to confirm it is active, use Verify PAN Status on the e-Filing portal instead.

Where to track your application

Protean applications

  1. Open Protean’s Status Track page.
  2. Select the application type “PAN – New / Change Request”.
  3. Enter your 15-digit acknowledgement number and the captcha.
  4. Submit and read the status line.

Protean says status is available three days after you apply. You can also send “Hi” to 8096078080 on WhatsApp or call the IVR at 08069708080 with the acknowledgement number ready.

UTIITSL applications

UTIITSL issues a coupon number when you apply. It appears on your receipt and in the confirmation email or SMS. Enter it on UTIITSL’s track-application page.

Instant e-PAN requests

  1. On the e-Filing portal home page, click Instant e-PAN.
  2. Choose Check Status / Download PAN.
  3. Enter your Aadhaar number and click Continue.
  4. Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile and click Continue.
  5. Read the status; if the PAN is allotted, click View e-PAN or Download e-PAN.

Checking by PAN number

Once you hold a PAN, the e-Filing portal’s Verify PAN Status service confirms whether it is valid. Enter your PAN, full name, date of birth and a mobile number you can access, then key in the 6-digit OTP. No login is needed.

What each status message means

The wording varies slightly between portals. Protean’s own guidance groups the messages like this:

Status What it means What to do
Acknowledgement number not found / invalid The number is wrong, or the application is not yet registered Check all 15 digits; try again after 24 to 48 hours
Under process / under scrutiny The Income Tax Department is reviewing the application Wait; no action unless you are contacted
PAN allotted and dispatched The card has been printed and posted Track it with the Speed Post or courier number shown
PAN card delivered The card reached the address on record Ask family or building security; then contact the courier
No record found The application was not submitted properly or has a serious error Recheck your details and contact Protean; you may need to reapply
Application rejected A mismatch, unclear document, signature problem or an existing PAN Fix the cause and apply again

For an instant e-PAN, the message “PAN allotment request has failed” means the request did not go through. The Income Tax Department asks you to write to epan@incometax.gov.in in that case.

Why an application stays “under process”

A long wait usually traces back to something in the application. Check these first:

ItemDetails
Documents not received.In physical mode, the signed acknowledgement and proofs must reach Protean within 15 days of applying. Late or missing papers hold the application.
Name mismatch.The name on your identity, address and date-of-birth proofs must match the application exactly.
Unclear documents or signature.Protean lists unreadable copies and signature problems among the common reasons for rejection.
An existing PAN.If a PAN was already allotted to you, the new request will not go through.

If your application is rejected

Read the reason, correct it, and apply again. Protean notes the fee is not refunded, so check every field before you pay the second time. If the rejection says a PAN already exists in your name, do not apply again. Download your e-PAN or order a reprint for that PAN instead.

For an instant e-PAN, the Department lists a few fixes. If your Aadhaar shows only your year of birth, update the full date in Aadhaar and try again. If the name, date of birth or gender in Aadhaar is wrong, correct it with UIDAI first.

How long delivery takes

Protean’s guidance says a card usually takes 15 to 20 days from dispatch to delivery. Once the status shows a consignment number, track it on the India Post website.

You do not have to wait for the card to use your PAN. Protean emails the e-PAN to the address in your application. For PANs allotted in the last 30 days, Protean sends it free up to three times; after that, each email delivery costs ₹8.26.

Who to contact

ItemDetails
Protean020-27218080 (7 am to 11 pm), IVR 08069708080, WhatsApp 8096078080. Keep your acknowledgement number, full name and date of birth ready.
Instant e-PAN problemsepan@incometax.gov.in.
Aadhaar errors blocking e-PANUIDAI on 1947.

Once your PAN arrives, link it with Aadhaar; our PAN and Aadhaar linking guide covers the steps. You will quote the PAN when you file your income tax return. If a status problem touches a pending tax matter, a tax professional can advise on your case.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check my PAN card status with the application number?

Enter the 15-digit acknowledgement number on Protean’s Status Track page, or send it on WhatsApp to 8096078080. For a UTIITSL application, use the coupon number on UTIITSL’s tracking page.

Can I check PAN status using my PAN number?

Yes, once the PAN is allotted. The Verify PAN Status service on the e-Filing portal takes your PAN, name, date of birth and a mobile number for an OTP.

When will my PAN status show online?

Protean says you can check it three days after applying. If the number is not found at first, try again after 24 to 48 hours.

What is the PAN customer care number?

Protean’s number is 020-27218080, and its IVR is 08069708080. For instant e-PAN problems, email epan@incometax.gov.in.

How do I check instant e-PAN status?

On the e-Filing portal, go to Instant e-PAN, then Check Status / Download PAN, and verify with your Aadhaar OTP.

My card shows dispatched but has not arrived. What now?

Track the consignment number on India Post. If it is still missing after 15 to 20 days, contact Protean with your acknowledgement number.

Sources

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