Starting July 1, 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) will mandate Aadhaar authentication for anyone applying for a new Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. The move is aimed at:

• Enhancing identity verification and reducing issuance of multiple PANs to the same person
• Preventing misuse of PANs for fraudulent GST registrations
• Boosting accountability and digital compliance in tax filings

The Income Tax Department’s portal will require new PAN applicants to undergo Aadhaar-based verification from July 1, 2025 .

Those with existing PANs must continue to link their Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, without facing penalties—failure to do so will render the PAN inoperative starting 2026

This requirement arises from concerns over tax avoidance through multiple PANs or misuse in financial transactions

From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication will be compulsory for new PAN applications, as mandated by the CBDT to improve digital verification and curb tax fraud; existing PAN holders must link Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, failing which their PAN will become inoperative in 2026

sources