New PAN Card: Apply New PAN Card Online with Custom Photo and Signature via NSDL

New PAN Card: The Permanent Account Number or PAN card is an essential financial document for every Indian citizen. Typically, when applying for a PAN card via the ‘Instant PAN’ method using Aadhaar e-KYC, the photo from the Aadhaar card is automatically fetched onto the PAN card. Often, people are unhappy with this default photo, and the card also lacks a printed signature. However, by choosing a specific option on the NSDL portal, you can now apply using Aadhaar OTP while still uploading a color photograph and signature of your choice.

This article provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to apply for a new PAN card with photo and signature upload via the NSDL portal.

Selecting Application Type and Initial Registration

To begin, visit the official NSDL e-Governance portal. Under the ‘Apply Online’ section, ensure you select the correct form details:

• Application Type: Select ‘New PAN – Indian Citizen (Form 49A)’ from the dropdown menu.
• Category: Choose ‘Individual’ for personal applications.

Enter the applicant’s details such as Title, Last Name, First Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Mobile Number. Upon submission, a ‘Token Number’ will be generated. It is crucial to note down this number for future logins to complete the application.

The Key Step for Photo and Signature Upload

After generating the token and clicking on ‘Continue with PAN Application Form’, you will be presented with three options for data submission. This is the most critical step. To upload your own photo and signature, you must select the second option: “Submit scanned images through e-Sign”. Choosing this option enables the manual upload features; otherwise, the system will default to fetching the Aadhaar photo.

Filling Personal and Income Details

In this phase, you need to provide accurate personal and financial details:

• Aadhaar Details: Enter the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number and your name exactly as it appears on the Aadhaar card.
• Parent’s Details: Providing the father’s name is mandatory, while the mother’s name is optional.
• Contact & Income: Select your Source of Income (e.g., Salary, Income from Other Sources, or No Income) and fill in your complete residential address. The correct AO Code will usually auto-populate based on your Pincode and City selection.

Guidelines for Document Upload

With this method, there is no need to send physical documents to the NSDL office. All proofs must be scanned and uploaded online according to the following specifications:

• Proof of Identity, Address, and DOB: Upload the Aadhaar card in PDF format.
• Photograph: Recent color photo of the applicant (JPG format, 200 DPI, size less than 50 KB).
• Signature: Scan of the signature on white paper (JPG format, 200 DPI, size less than 50 KB).

Payment and E-Sign Process

Once the documents are uploaded, you will be directed to the payment gateway. A fee of approximately ₹107 needs to be paid via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit Card. After a successful payment, proceed to Aadhaar Authentication. Click on ‘Authenticate’ to generate an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Finally, verify the application by clicking ‘Continue with e-Sign’, entering your Aadhaar number, and submitting the OTP once more.

Upon successful submission, a PDF acknowledgement receipt will be generated. The password to open this file is your Date of Birth in DDMMYYYY format. You can expect the e-PAN (soft copy) in your email within 1-2 days, and the physical PVC PAN card will be delivered to your address within 10-15 days.