How to Apply for a Minor PAN Card in India

A child’s eligibility for a PAN card is not up for debate. The law gives minors a full and valid tax identity from day one.

As a parent, you may not expect your child to need one so early, but the option is firmly in place. A minor PAN card is issued to anyone below eighteen and often becomes useful sooner than you would imagine. Banks may request it for savings accounts or fixed deposits, and most investment plans in a child’s name also depend on it. It also brings clarity when handling gifts, inherited assets, or any paperwork where a clear financial record helps avoid complications.

Getting a PAN for a minor is quite simple; you can apply for a PAN card online in a few easy steps. The Protean (formerly NSDL – National Securities Depository Limited) and UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Ltd (UTIITSL) portals allow parents to handle the entire application from home, so there is no need to visit a centre. The process stays organised, and the paperwork stays minimal.

If you are weighing up whether your child truly needs one, this blog will walk you through the practical uses and the straightforward steps to get a minor PAN card.

Who Can Apply for a Minor PAN Card

A minor PAN card is issued to children below eighteen, and there is no minimum age for applying. Many parents complete the application soon after birth when they need a PAN for a bank account, an investment plan, or other financial arrangements in the child’s name.

The application needs to be submitted by a parent or someone officially assigned as guardian. For kids under 5 years, no signature is required; instead, the guardian signs on their behalf. When children are above 5, they can either sign themselves or mark with a left-thumb print. The necessity arises once the child starts earning taxable income, gets substantial gifts, or obtains inherited assets needing a PAN for documentation and legal adherence.

If you are looking into PAN requirements for businesses as well, it helps to understand how the process works at the company level. The steps and documents differ from those for individuals and minors. You can read a clear overview here: Apply for a Company PAN Card: A Comprehensive Guide

Documents Required for a Minor PAN Card

1. Proof of Identity (POI) – Parent/Guardian (any one):

• Aadhaar, Passport, Ration Card, Driving License, Voter ID, Government Photo ID
• Certificate signed by MLA/MP/Gazetted Officer/Legislative Council

2. Proof of Address (POA) – Parent/Guardian (anyone):

• Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, Post Office Passbook, Voter ID, Domicile Certificate, Property Registration
• Certificate signed by MLA/MP/Gazetted Officer/Municipal Council
• Or recent (≤3 months) copy of: Electricity/Water/Landline/Broadband/Gas bills, Credit Card/Bank Statement

3. Proof of Date of Birth/Age – Minor (any one):

• Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, Passport, Government Photo ID, School Mark Sheet, Domicile Certificate, Magistrate Affidavit

4. Photograph:

• Recent colour photograph of the minor (if required)

How to Apply for a Minor PAN Card Online

The Government offers both online and offline routes for parents who wish to obtain a PAN card for their child. The online method is usually quicker and works smoothly through the Protean (formerly NSDL) and UTI portals.

Online Process to Apply for a Minor PAN Card

Step 1

Visit the Tax Information Network page of Protean eGov Technologies Limited and choose Apply Now.

Step 2

Use Form 49A for Indian citizens and Form 49AA for foreign nationals, OCI minors, or NRIs.

Step 3

Review the instructions, choose the applicant category from the list, and confirm the selection.

Step 4

Enter the details requested in the online form, including the minor’s particulars and the parent or guardian’s information.

Step 5

Upload the supporting documents as per the guidelines and complete the online payment for processing.

Step 6

Submit the form. A reference or acknowledgement number will appear on the screen, which you can use later to track your application.

Step 7

After verification, the PAN card will be delivered by post to the address stated in the form.

Offline Process to Apply for a Minor PAN Card

Step 1 – Get the Form

Download Form 49A from the Tax Information Network website or collect a printed copy from any UTIITSL centre.

Step 2 – Fill in the Required Details

You need to include the details as mentioned here:

• Enter the minor’s name, date of birth, and gender
• Add parent or guardian details as required
• The guardian signs the form on the minor’s behalf

Step 3 – Attach the Required Documents

Provide the following documents:

• Minor’s birth certificate
• 2 recent passport-size photographs
• Parents’ address proof

Step 4 – Submit the Application

Submit the completed form and documents to the nearest UTIITSL office.

Step 5 – Pay the Processing Fee

Pay the processing fee:

• ₹110 for physical PAN
• ₹1,011 for e-PAN and foreign communications addresses

Step 6 – Track Your Application

You will receive an acknowledgement number on submission. Use it to track the application status online.

Once verification is complete, the PAN card is dispatched to the address provided in the form.

A Quick Overview of Minor PAN Card Application Process 

• Gather essential papers, such as the child’s birth certificate, with ID and address verification from the parent or caregiver.
• Select either an online application via Protean (NSDL), use the UTI website, or hand in Form 49A at a support office.
• Enter the child’s information on the form, then sign it if you’re the parent or legal guardian.
• Submit the necessary files by uploading them, then pay the processing fee.

Note the reference ID to follow your request until the tax card arrives by mail.

Special Notes on Protean Minor PAN Card Applications

• The Protean portal uses a step-by-step format; therefore, families progress gradually instead of facing an endless screen.
• Aadhaar e-KYC functions when a child’s image and details are current. When biometric checks fail for minors, guardians must submit separate files.
• If details on Aadhaar differ from those in the form, e-KYC fails, so submitting scanned papers becomes necessary. Instead of automatic verification, manual document upload is required when data mismatches occur.

How to Convert a Minor PAN Card to a Major (When the Child Turns 18)

When a child turns eighteen, the PAN must be updated because the minor version does not contain the individual’s own photograph or signature. Converting it to a major PAN makes the document valid for banking, investments, and all adult financial activity.

The documents needed for this update are straightforward.

• Aadhaar card
• A recent colour photograph
• A valid address proof

The process itself is simple.

• Open the NSDL or UTI portal and choose the option for changes or corrections in PAN data.
• Enter the existing PAN number and fill in the updated details.
• Upload the applicant’s photograph and signature and attach the supporting documents.
• Pay the fee and save the acknowledgement number for tracking.

Most updates are completed within a short processing window, after which the revised PAN card arrives by post.

Conclusion

Applying for a minor PAN card is straightforward, especially through the online portals, making it easy for parents to secure a tax identity for their child without multiple visits or complicated paperwork.

Keep in mind, when your child reaches 18, the PAN needs updating to an adult version so it still works for banking or legal use. Instead of staying as a minor’s ID, it should shift format by then. This change ensures no issues later on during tax filings or account setups. Without this step, some services might reject the document. Therefore, act promptly after their birthday arrives. Parents looking for support, or aiming to avoid mistakes, might find help from providers such as LegalWiz.in useful; it streamlines the application along with the follow-up transition, offering reassurance every step.