What Happens If Your Mobile Number Is Not Linked to PAN or Aadhaar?

Mobile numbers in the PAN–Aadhaar ecosystem have become a key access point. Many identity and tax workflows now use OTP verification as the final gate. Whether it is for authentication, profile verification, or completing an online request, when the number on record is outdated or inaccessible, the process can fail even though your PAN and Aadhaar remain valid.

The impact is usually seen as random errors, such as KYC getting stuck, Aadhaar services stopping at verification, tax actions remaining incomplete, and downloads failing at the last step. These are not separate problems. They are different places where the same dependency shows up, an OTP delivery.

What is Linked to Aadhaar vs Linked to PAN?

For Aadhaar, the mobile number on record is the channel through which OTPs are sent for many Aadhaar-related online actions.

For PAN, the dependency shows up slightly differently. PAN itself is a permanent identifier, but most digital tax workflows depend on the contact details on your tax profile. That is where OTPs and account verification steps land.

So the difference is simple:

• Aadhaar: Mobile number affects OTP access to Aadhaar services.
• PAN ecosystem: Mobile number affects OTP access and communication reliability for tax-related actions.

What Happens If Your Mobile Number Is Not Updated in Aadhaar?

1) OTP-based Aadhaar services can become inaccessible

If the mobile number on record is not active or not yours, you may be unable to complete OTP steps required for many online services. The most common experience is getting struck at the OTP screen.

In real terms, this leads to:

• Failed logins and authentication
• Inability to complete certain updates or requests
• The need to switch to offline routes for tasks that should have been simple

2) An old number can create friction and avoidable risk

An outdated mobile number is not just an inconvenience. OTPs may go to someone else. Even if nothing is misused, you lose control over your own verification channel. This is why updating the mobile number is basic hygiene, not an optional improvement.

3) Some limited actions may still be possible

Not every Aadhaar-related action requires OTP. Basic checks and offline verification methods may still work. But whenever OTP is the gate, an outdated number becomes a hard blocker.

Do You Still Need to Visit an Aadhaar Centre for Updates?

For a long time, visiting an Aadhaar centre was the standard route for updating the registered mobile number. That remains the most reliable option in practice.

At the same time, new official app-based routes have been introduced to simplify updates for users. Whether these options are available to everyone depends on rollout, device compatibility, and what services are enabled for the user.

• Centre visit remains the dependable option that works widely
• The official Aadhaar app offers a mobile update option, enabling you to update your details digitally
• If the digital option is not available or fails, the centre route remains the fallback

What Happens If Your Mobile Number Is Not Updated in the PAN / Tax Ecosystem?

This usually does not create a PAN problem. It creates a workflow problem.

1) Verification steps can fail

Many tax-related actions require OTP-based verification. If the mobile number on your tax profile is outdated, these steps can fail or become difficult to complete.

2) You may miss important alerts

Notices, confirmations, and key updates are tied to the contact details on record. If those details are wrong, you may miss important communication or face delays in responding.

3) The problem surfaces at the worst time

Most people notice the mismatch only during filing season, during an account recovery, or when a time-sensitive action is required. That is why keeping the mobile number updated matters—even when everything seems fine today.

Important Note: If your PAN is not available for verification (including cases where it becomes inoperative due to Aadhaar non-linking), TDS may be deducted at a higher rate in many situations (often up to 20%, depending on the payment type) instead of the usual applicable rate. Refunds can also get held up, and some return-filing or portal actions may be restricted until PAN becomes operative again.

What to Fix: A Simple Checklist

The main objective is to restore control over your OTP channel. That means ensuring the mobile number on record is your current, active number, wherever identity or compliance verification is expected. Once this is corrected, most of the repeated errors and blocked workflows disappear.

1. Aadhaar

Aadhaar-related services often depend on OTP verification. If the mobile number on record is outdated, online steps can fail even when all other details are correct.

• Ensure the mobile number linked to Aadhaar is active and currently yours.
• If OTPs are going to an old number, treat it as urgent and update the registered mobile through the most reliable route available.

2. PAN / Tax Profile

Tax-related actions depend heavily on profile verification and contact details. If the registered mobile/email is outdated, OTPs and communication may not reach you when needed.

• Ensure the mobile number and email in your tax profile are current.
• Complete verification steps so OTPs reliably reach you when required.