- By Priyanka Koul
- Thu, 25 Dec 2025 04:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
How To Link Aadhaar-PAN Card: As the year comes to a close, there is an important update for all citizens that is linking your Aadhaar card with your PAN card has now become mandatory. The deadline is fast approaching, and only a few days remain to complete the process. Failure to link these documents within the stipulated time could result in significant consequences.
From January 1, 2026, if your PAN is not linked to your Aadhaar, it will be deemed inoperative. However, this rule is partially true, as the deadline applies mainly to individuals who have not linked their Aadhaar with PAN since the initial deadline of July 1, 2023.
You can link your Aadhaar and PAN free of charge until December 31. After this date, a fee will be charged for the linking process.
Why is Linking Aadhaar Card & PAN Card Important?
Your PAN card is a critical part of your financial identity. It’s required for a range of activities, including:
- Filing income tax returns
- Opening bank accounts
- Making investments
- Conducting high-value transactions
Without a valid PAN card, you could face roadblocks when accessing essential financial services. Imagine attempting to file your taxes or visit the bank, only to find your PAN is deactivated because it hasn’t been linked to Aadhaar. If you haven’t linked them yet, this could be your reality soon.
Moreover, according to ClearTax, failing to link your PAN with Aadhaar can lead to several complications, including:
- Difficulty in receiving ITR refunds
- Issues with filing your income tax returns
- Higher rates of TCS or TDS deductions
- Challenges in opening a bank account
- Trouble obtaining a debit or credit card
- Restrictions on cash deposits: you cannot deposit more than Rs 50,000 per day in a bank or post office
- Limits on annual deposits: you cannot deposit more than Rs 2,50,000 in a financial year
- Restrictions on bank transactions: You cannot make transactions exceeding Rs 10,000 at any bank
Is It Mandatory To Link Your Aadhaar Card With PAN Card?
Yes, it is mandatory for anyone whose Aadhaar was issued before October 1, 2024 and who pays income tax, to link their Aadhaar with their PAN.
However, the following individuals are exempt from this requirement:
- Those who do not file ITR
- Residents of Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and Meghalaya
- Individuals over 80 years of age
- Non-Indian citizens
How to Link Aadhaar and PAN via SMS?
You can easily link your Aadhaar to your PAN by sending an SMS. Here’s how:
Step 1: Using your registered mobile number, send the following message:
UIDPAN <12-digit Aadhaar number> <10-digit PAN number>
Step 2: Send the message to either of the following numbers:
a. 567678
b. 56161
For example, if your Aadhaar number is 987654321012 and your PAN number is ABCDE1234F, you would send:
UIDPAN <987654321012 ABCDE1234F >
How to Link Aadhaar with PAN via Income Tax E-Filing Portal
You can link your Aadhaar with your PAN through the Income Tax e-filing portal. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official Income Tax e-filing website.
Step 2: Click on the "Link Aadhaar" option.
Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number and PAN number.
Step 4: Provide your registered mobile number.
Step 5: Agree to the terms by ticking the box that says "I agree to validate my Aadhaar details with UIDAI".
Step 6: After you complete these steps, a confirmation message will appear saying: "PAN has been successfully linked to Aadhaar".
