Time Running Out: PAN Cards to Be Deactivated from January If Not Linked with Aadhaar by December 31
The Income Tax Department has issued a crucial reminder for all taxpayers — link your PAN card with Aadhaar before December 31, 2025, or risk deactivation starting January 1, 2026. This means that if you miss the deadline, your Permanent Account Number (PAN) will become inactive, making it impossible to file income tax returns, open new bank accounts, or carry out key financial transactions.
Why Linking PAN with Aadhaar Is Mandatory
The government has made PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory to ensure transparency, eliminate duplicate or fake PANs, and streamline tax compliance. PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a unique identification number essential for financial activities — from filing income tax returns to investing in mutual funds, purchasing property, and even opening bank accounts.
If your PAN becomes inactive, these essential financial services will be disrupted. As a result, it could impact your ability to make large transactions, complete KYC procedures, or continue ongoing investments.
Deadline: December 31, 2025
According to the latest notification from the Income Tax Department, 31 December 2025 is the final date to complete PAN-Aadhaar linking. After that, any PAN not linked to an Aadhaar number will automatically be deactivated from January 1, 2026.
This rule applies to all Indian citizens who have both a PAN and an Aadhaar card. NRIs and individuals exempted under specific government notifications are not required to link.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Link PAN with Aadhaar Online
Linking PAN and Aadhaar is a quick online process that can be done through the official Income Tax e-filing portal. Here’s how to complete it:
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Visit the official website — https://www.incometax.gov.in
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On the homepage, click on the “Link Aadhaar” option.
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Enter your 10-digit PAN number and 12-digit Aadhaar number.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
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A fee of ₹1,000 is applicable for linking after the previous due date, which can be paid online.
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Once payment is successful, submit your linking request.
After submission, the system will process your request, and you can check the status after a few days.
How to Check PAN-Aadhaar Link Status
You can check whether your PAN and Aadhaar are linked in two ways — online and via SMS.
Online method:
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Visit the same portal and select the “Link Aadhaar Status” option.
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Enter your PAN and Aadhaar numbers.
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The screen will display whether your PAN is successfully linked or still pending.
SMS method:
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Type the following message:
UIDPAN -
Send it to 567678 or 56161.
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You’ll receive an SMS reply with your current linking status.
Important Note: OTP Verification
During the online process, an OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar. Only that number can be used to complete verification, so make sure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active.
What Happens If PAN Gets Deactivated
If your PAN becomes inactive from January 2026, you won’t be able to:
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File income tax returns
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Open or operate bank accounts
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Make large financial transactions
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Invest in mutual funds, stocks, or real estate
Essentially, your financial activities will come to a standstill.
Final Reminder
The message is clear — don’t wait until the last moment. Linking your PAN and Aadhaar takes just a few minutes online, but missing the deadline could cause major financial disruptions. Complete the process before December 31, 2025, to ensure a smooth start to the new year.
