How to Fix PAN-Aadhaar Name or DOB Mismatch

PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory in India. If the name or date of birth on your PAN card does not match your Aadhaar card, the linking attempt will fail. This is one of the most common reasons people get stuck during the linking process.

The good news is that this is fixable. You need to correct the details on whichever document has the wrong information, wait for the update to process, and then attempt linking again.

Understanding Why the Mismatch Happens

Common causes of PAN-Aadhaar mismatches include:

• Name spelling differences: "Rajesh Kumar" on PAN vs "Rajesh Kumar Sharma" on Aadhaar (full name vs partial name)
• Initials vs full name: "R. Kumar" on PAN vs "Rajesh Kumar" on Aadhaar
• Transliteration errors: Hindi-to-English conversion led to different spellings
• Marriage-related name change: Name changed on one document but not the other
• DOB errors: Data entry mistakes during PAN or Aadhaar enrolment

Step 1: Identify the mismatch

Before fixing anything, identify exactly what is different:

1. Check your PAN card - note the exact name and DOB printed on it.
2. Check your Aadhaar card - note the exact name and DOB.
3. Compare them character by character.

Decide which document has the correct information. "Correct" means matching your birth certificate, passport, or other primary legal document.

Step 2: Decide which document to correct

Scenario	Action
PAN has the wrong name, Aadhaar is correct	Correct PAN through NSDL/Protean
Aadhaar has the wrong name, PAN is correct	Correct Aadhaar through UIDAI
DOB is wrong on PAN	Correct PAN through NSDL/Protean
DOB is wrong on Aadhaar	Correct Aadhaar through UIDAI
Both have errors	Correct both documents

Step 3A: Correct your PAN details

If PAN has the wrong information:

1. Visit the NSDL/Protean PAN portal.
2. Select Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data.
3. Fill in the form with your correct name/DOB.
4. Upload supporting documents:
   • For name correction: Aadhaar, passport, or gazette notification
   • For DOB correction: Birth certificate, passport, or matriculation certificate
5. Pay the fee (approximately Rs 107 for Indian address, Rs 1,020 for foreign address, including GST).
6. Submit and note the acknowledgment number.

Processing time: 15 to 20 working days. You can track the status on the NSDL/Protean website using your acknowledgment number.

Step 3B: Correct your Aadhaar details

If Aadhaar has the wrong information:

For name correction:

1. Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
2. Log in with Aadhaar and OTP.
3. Go to Update Aadhaar or Name Update.
4. Enter the correct name and upload a supporting document (PAN, passport, or other accepted ID).
5. Submit the request.

For DOB correction:

• DOB can only be updated once on Aadhaar.
• If the online option is not available for DOB, visit a UIDAI enrolment centre with your birth certificate or passport.

Processing time: 5 to 30 days depending on the type of update and verification queue.

Step 4: Attempt PAN-Aadhaar linking again

After the correction is processed and reflected in your records:

1. Wait for the updated PAN card or e-PAN to be generated (if PAN was corrected).
2. Verify the Aadhaar update is reflected on the UIDAI portal (if Aadhaar was corrected).
3. Attempt linking again via:
   • Income Tax e-Filing portal: incometax.gov.in > Quick Links > Link Aadhaar
   • SMS: Send UIDPAN [space] [12-digit Aadhaar] [space] [10-digit PAN] to 567678 or 56161

For the full linking process, see our PAN-Aadhaar linking guide.

Minor Spelling Differences

The PAN-Aadhaar linking system has some fuzzy matching capability. Minor differences like:

• Extra middle name or initial in one document
• Small spelling variations ("Subramaniam" vs "Subramanian")
• Missing last name suffix

...may sometimes get through. However, you should not rely on fuzzy matching. If your first attempt fails due to a name mismatch, correct the documents properly.

Common Problems

Problem	Solution
"PAN already linked to another Aadhaar"	This means a different Aadhaar was previously linked. Contact the Income Tax helpdesk at 1800-103-4455.
PAN correction submitted but not yet reflected	Wait the full 15-20 working days. Check status on the NSDL tracking page.
Aadhaar update pending for weeks	Visit the nearest Aadhaar enrolment centre for an in-person follow-up.
"Transaction failed" during linking	This is usually a server issue. Wait a few hours and try again, or try via SMS.

Related Guides

• How to Link PAN with Aadhaar
• PAN-Aadhaar Linking Failed? How to Fix It
• How to Download e-PAN Card

Need more help?

For more information, check out our Identity & KYC guides or try our Income Tax Calculator.