PAN-Aadhaar card linking now compulsory: Check last date, instructions

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) recently launched a series of rules, effective from November 1, 2025, to simplify the Aadhaar update process.

One of the most important changes here is that linking one's Aadhaar card and PAN card has now been made compulsory, with December 31, 2025 set as the last date for all PAN holders to do so. 

Failure to link the two identity cards before the deadline will lead to the PAN card being deactivated from January 1, 2026, as per the UIDAI and Income Tax Department guidelines.

This, in turn, may lead to certain restrictions on banking services, as well as problems while filing taxes and returns.

How to link your Aadhaar and PAN card?

The linking can be done in two ways—either via SMS, or on the e-filing portal.

SMS method

According to the Income Tax Department, the taxpayer is required to send an SMS to 567678 or 56161 in the following format:

UIDPAN<space><12 digit Aadhaar><space><10 digit PAN>

Here is a sample SMS:

UIDPAN 111122223333 AAAPA9999Q

The Aadhaar number will then be linked with the PAN number if the name and date of birth of the taxpayer are identical in both Aadhaar and PAN records.

e-Filing portal method

According to the Income Tax Department, the taxpayer is required to log in to the e-Filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/) using their registered username and password.

Next, click the 'Link Aadhaar' option in the panel on the left side of the page.

Enter your PAN number and Aadhaar number, and click 'validate' to link the two.

The Aadhaar number will then be linked with the PAN number if the name and date of birth of the taxpayer are identical in both Aadhaar and PAN records.

How to check the status of the Aadhaar-PAN card linking?

For this also, the taxpayer is required to log in to the e-Filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/) using their registered username and password.

Next, click the 'Link Aadhaar Status' option in the panel on the left side of the page.

Enter your PAN number and Aadhaar number, and click 'View Link Aadhaar Status' to check whether they are linked.

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