PAN Card Password: How to Open e-PAN PDF, Correct Password Format & Examples

What Is PAN Card Password?

PAN Card Password Format

The e-PAN you download from the official portals comes in a protected PDF, and you need to enter a specific password to open it. The good news is that the PAN card password follows a simple, fixed format - it is always your Date of Birth written in DDMMYYYY format. This means you only need to type your birth date exactly as it appears in your PAN records, without any spaces, symbols, or hyphens.

For example, if your date of birth is 16 June 1991, the correct password will be: 16061991.

Similarly, if your birthday is 5 September 2001, you must enter: 05092001 (always use two digits for the day and month).

This same password format applies across NSDL, UTIITSL, and the Income Tax e-filing portal. It keeps the file secure while ensuring that the rightful PAN holder can easily unlock the PDF using personal information already linked to their PAN.

This format also applies to non-individual PAN holders such as companies or firms where the password becomes the Date of Incorporation (DDMMYYYY) instead of a birth date.

Simple, consistent, and easy to remember, this password structure helps maintain security while avoiding confusion for users accessing their e-PAN.

Examples of PAN Card Password

The PAN card password to open the e-PAN PDF is derived from the holder's date of birth or, in the case of companies or entities, the date of incorporation or formation. This password follows a strict format to maintain security while being easy to remember: it is the date in DDMMYYYY format without any spaces, symbols, or special characters.

The password is the date of birth exactly as it appears in the PAN application or official records. For example, if your birth date is 9th April 1988, the password would be 09041988. The leading zero is essential when the day or month is a single digit.

The password is based on the date of incorporation or registration. For example, if a private limited company was incorporated on 22nd November 2010, the password to open its PAN PDF would be 22112010.

1. GIndividual born on 3rd January 1975: Password = 03011975 
2. Individual born on 15th August 1992: Password = 15081992
3. Company incorporated on 5th May 2005: Password = 05052005 
4. LLP registered on 28th February 2018: Password = 28022018
5. HUF formation date 1st June 2000: Password = 01062000

By using this format, users can easily unlock their e-PAN card PDFs without confusion, ensuring both convenience and document security. Always remember that entering the date correctly with two digits for day and month and four digits for year is crucial for the password to work properly.

How to Open PAN Card PDF Password?

Opening your PAN card PDF is simple once you know the correct password format. The Income Tax Department protects the file to ensure your PAN details remain secure, so the PDF will not open unless you enter the right password. Follow the steps below to unlock your e-PAN safely and without any errors:

Step 1: Locate Your Downloaded E-PAN PDF 

After downloading your e-PAN from NSDL or UTIITSL, go to your device’s Downloads folder. The file is usually saved with a name like “ePAN_[YourName].pdf” or a similar format.

Step 2: Open the PDF File

Double-click or tap on the file to open it. Your PDF viewer (Adobe Reader, browser PDF viewer, mobile PDF app, etc.) will automatically ask for a password.

Step 3: Enter Your PAN PDF Password

Type the password using the correct format: your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

Example:

DOB: 16/06/1991

Password: 16061991

Step 4: Click on the ‘Open’ or ‘Submit’ Button

Once you enter the correct password, click Open. The PDF will immediately unlock and display your e-PAN details.

How to Change the PAN Card Password

If you want to reset the password used for logging in with your PAN on the Income Tax e-filing portal, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official Income Tax e-Filing website from your browser.
2. Enter your PAN number as your User ID and proceed to the login page.
3. Click on the “Forgot Password” option displayed below the login fields.
4. Re-enter your PAN number and follow the on-screen instructions to continue.
5. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar for verification.
6. Enter this OTP and create a new login password of your choice.

Note: Resetting your Income Tax portal password does not change the password of your e-PAN PDF. The e-PAN file will still open using your Date of Birth (DDMMYYYY) as its password.

Security Tips for PAN Card Password

1. Never share your PAN PDF password with others

   Even though the password looks harmless, sharing it may allow someone to access your PAN details, which can lead to identity theft or financial fraud.

2. Download your e-PAN only from official portals

   Avoid using third-party websites or random links to download your PAN. Always use official government platforms to ensure the file and password format are genuine.

3. Store your e-PAN PDF in a secure location

   Save the file in a protected folder on your phone or laptop. Avoid keeping it in publicly accessible folders like Downloads if you share your device with others.

4. Avoid uploading your PAN PDF on unknown apps or websites

   Some apps may ask for PAN verification, but uploading your full PDF is not safe unless the platform is trustworthy and widely recognized.

5. Use strong device security

   Add a PIN, fingerprint lock, or password to your phone and laptop. This ensures that even if the device is misplaced, your PAN card cannot be accessed easily.

6. Be cautious while opening your e-PAN on shared networks

   Avoid viewing or downloading the PDF on public Wi-Fi in cafés, malls, or railway stations, as the network may not be secure.

7. Delete old or duplicate e-PAN copies

   Keeping many copies increases the risk of leakage. Keep only one updated file in a safe location and delete the rest.

8. Always verify email sender before opening links

   If you receive an email claiming to contain your e-PAN, check the sender’s address carefully. Fake emails often try to steal personal information using phishing tricks.

PAN PDF Password Not Working? Here’s What You Should Do

1. Recheck Your Date of Birth Format

Make sure you are entering your DOB in DDMMYYYY format without spaces or symbols. For example, 7 March 1990 must be written as 07031990, not 7/3/1990 or 7031990.

2. Confirm Your DOB as per PAN Records

Sometimes the DOB you are entering matches Aadhaar or school records but not what is stored in the PAN database.

Check the correct date on:

• Your physical PAN card
• PAN application receipt
• Income tax e-filing profile

3. Ensure Leading Zeros Are Added

If your day or month is a single digit, you MUST add a zero in front. Example: 5 September 1985 → 05091985

4. Try Opening the File in a Different PDF Reader

Some PDF viewers, especially on mobile phones, may not accept passwords properly.

Try using:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Browser PDF viewer
• Google Drive PDF viewer

5. Check If Your PAN Is Issued by NSDL or UTIITSL

Although the password format (DDMMYYYY) is same across portals, rechecking where you applied helps you verify you downloaded the correct file.

6. Redownload Your e-PAN

If all details are correct and the PDF still won’t open, download a fresh copy of your e-PAN from NSDL or UTIITSL. This solves issues caused by corrupted files or incomplete downloads.

7. Update Incorrect DOB in PAN Records

If your date of birth on the PAN is wrong, the PDF will never open using your actual DOB. You must update your PAN details online and then download the corrected e-PAN.

Conclusion

Understanding the PAN card password is essential for securely accessing your e-PAN PDF without any confusion. Since the file contains sensitive identity details, it is always protected with a fixed password format—your Date of Birth (or Date of Incorporation for entities) written in DDMMYYYY. Once you enter this format correctly, unlocking the e-PAN becomes quick and hassle-free.

By following the right steps to open the PDF, double-checking your date details, and practicing basic security habits, you can ensure that your PAN information remains safe and accessible only to you. Whether you downloaded your e-PAN from NSDL, UTIITSL, or the Income Tax portal, the process remains simple, consistent, and user-friendly. Always keep your e-PAN stored securely, avoid sharing personal details, and use trusted platforms to download or access your PAN document.

With the correct password format and the tips shared in this guide, you can confidently open, use, and protect your e-PAN anytime you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions