What to Do if Your Aadhaar or PAN Card Has an Error

An error in your Aadhaar or PAN — wrong name spelling, wrong DOB, wrong address, missing middle name — blocks you from filing ITR, opening bank accounts, and sometimes even from buying a SIM. Fixing it is usually straightforward once you know the right flow.

PAN card corrections

PAN updates happen through NSDL (Protean eGov) or UTIITSL. Pick one, not both. Both are valid government-authorised issuers.

Process:

1. Go to the NSDL or UTIITSL portal, select "Request for New PAN Card or Changes/Correction".
2. Enter existing PAN and submit the form with the corrected details.
3. Upload proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of the correction (marriage certificate for name change, birth certificate for DOB).
4. Pay the fee (Rs 110 for within-India physical PAN, Rs 72 for e-PAN only).
5. Verify via Aadhaar OTP if eligible, otherwise print the form, sign, and courier.

Processing time: 7–15 working days for e-PAN, 15–30 days for physical.

Aadhaar corrections

Two paths depending on what you are changing:

Online (name, address, language, gender, mobile email)

1. Go to myAadhaar.
2. Login with Aadhaar number + OTP.
3. Pick the field you want to update.
4. Upload supporting document (utility bill for address, marriage certificate for name, etc.).
5. Pay Rs 50 fee.
6. Track the URN (Update Request Number) given to you.

At an enrolment centre (biometrics, DOB, first-time changes)

Some changes — biometrics, DOB after first update, demographic changes the portal rejects — require a visit to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Book an appointment on the UIDAI portal. Fee Rs 100.

Processing time: 30–90 days for most online updates; biometric updates often same-day.

When the portal rejects your request

Common rejection reasons:

• Name change without matching supporting document. Marriage certificate, gazette notification, affidavit.
• DOB change beyond one attempt. Aadhaar allows DOB change only once; further changes require an enrolment centre visit and formal affidavit.
• Document image not clear. Reupload with a clearer scan, not a phone photo at an angle.
• Mismatch with Aadhaar database. Sometimes the rejection is wrong — escalate via UIDAI grievance or call 1947.

Aadhaar-PAN linking (still required)

Linking is mandatory for most filers. Once both are correct, link via the income tax portal. A mismatch in name spelling between Aadhaar and PAN will cause the link to fail — you have to correct whichever one is wrong first.