Sell your inherited property which bears the current PAN Card name 

then only change the name  in PAN Card as per passport and bank details 

Get the name on Pancard changed

You should update/correct your PAN to match your passport (and bank account).

This is done through NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL online/offline correction facility.

You’ll need to file a “Request for Change/Correction in PAN.

Once processed, the PAN number remains the same — only the “Name on PAN” changes.

You can execute the sale deed in your current (correct) full name, as per passport/PAN.

To avoid objections, you may have to prepare a Notarized Affidavit/One and the Same Person declaration.

You should correct your PAN card name to exactly match your foreign passport and NRI bank account to resolve the ITD refund issue; this can be done online through NSDL/UTIITSL by filing a PAN data correction request, uploading your passport, OCI card, and bank proof, after which your PAN number remains the same but the name will be updated; this change will not affect your inherited property ownership or title deed, and at the time of sale you only need to show continuity by keeping copies of the old PAN, the corrected PAN, and if required, an affidavit linking both names, so correcting the PAN now is the safest option while maintaining old records for future property transactions.

1. Apply for PAN name correction (through NSDL/UTIITSL, quoting OCI and passport as ID proof).
2. After receiving the corrected PAN, re-link your NRI bank account in IT portal → refunds will go through.
3. For the inherited property, prepare an affidavit of name identity for smooth future sale.

You currently hold a foreign passport along with an OCI card, and you also have a PAN card that was issued before you became a foreign citizen. The name on your PAN card differs from your foreign passport and your NRI bank account because your PAN shows your name with initials, while your passport and bank account reflect your full name, including first, middle, and last name. Due to this mismatch, the Income Tax Department’s portal is not allowing you to validate your bank account, preventing you from receiving tax refunds. TDS is being deducted with the PAN that is linked to this account.

The name on your PAN must exactly match the name on your bank account in order for the refund process to work. Since your NRI bank account is opened as per your foreign passport, and your current PAN still reflects the old Indian name format with initials, you will need to align the PAN name with the passport and bank records. This is the most straightforward and compliant way to resolve the issue permanently.

You can update or correct the name on your existing PAN card without changing the PAN number. The process can be done online through either NSDL (Protean) or UTIITSL. When you apply for the change, you should select the option for “Correction in PAN data” and ensure that the full name exactly matches your foreign passport. You will need to upload a copy of your foreign passport (for correct name proof), your OCI card (to establish your current status), and a valid address proof. After submitting the form online and paying the nominal fee, you will need to sign and send the physical acknowledgment to the NSDL address. Once the process is complete, a new PAN card with the corrected name will be issued. The PAN number will remain the same, so your tax and property records will not be disturbed.

Changing the name on your PAN will not affect your inherited property in India. Since the PAN number remains constant, ownership records and tax obligations tied to that PAN will continue to be valid. The title deed currently shows your name as per the old PAN. If, in the future, you sell or transfer the property, the difference between the name on the deed and your updated PAN or passport can be explained through a simple notarized declaration. This document should state that both versions of the name refer to the same person and that the variation is only in the format or expansion of initials. The affidavit can be presented at the time of sale or registration to avoid confusion, and it will be accepted as valid proof.

The steps you should follow are clear. First, apply online for a PAN data correction through NSDL or UTIITSL. Second, after receiving your new PAN card, re-link the corrected PAN with your NRI bank account on the Income Tax portal so that your account validation succeeds. Third, keep your old PAN card and new PAN card together with your passport and OCI card to show continuity of identity. Lastly, for property matters, prepare a one-time name declaration affidavit confirming that both name versions belong to you.

If you prefer not to change your PAN name due to hesitation over the property records, one workaround is to open a second NRO account using the name format as per the PAN and use that solely for tax refunds. However, this approach complicates compliance and is not recommended for the long term. Aligning your PAN name with your passport is cleaner, accepted internationally, and avoids issues with refund validation and KYC.

In conclusion, the most effective solution is to update your PAN card to reflect your full name exactly as per your foreign passport and bank records. This will fix your refund issue permanently. The change will not impact your ownership rights or future property sale, since the PAN number stays the same. You can easily address any name variation through a simple declaration affidavit, ensuring that all your Indian and overseas records remain consistent and legally valid.

Dear Client,

The best course is to update the name on your PAN card so it matches with your foreign passport and NRI bank account. In this way, your bank account can be linked to the Income Tax portal so as to avoid any delay in tax refunds. For the application for change of name, you can go to online services of Protean NSDL, where you will be required to provide valid ID proof. This process should take about 10-15 working days.

Changing your name on your PAN will not affect your ownership rights with regard to your inherited property, since property rights under Indian law are based on the title deed. Any minor changes in your name records generally do not create any legal issues.

I hope this answer helps you. For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank You.

Get your name mentioned in your PAN card amended by executing an affidavit before the 1st Class Judicial Magistrate for the said purpose.

You would need gazette notification of change of name  in India 

The certificate what you possess is a proof of the name changed in that country, however you will be insisted for a gazette publication in India for an authentic proof by the authorities concerned, hence it is advisable that you may follow the procedures for one and same in India to avoid legal complications.

Yes

Your foreign court’s approved name change order (with proper certification) is fully sufficient for your PAN correction through Protean (NSDL) — you do not need to go through the Indian Gazette or newspaper publication process again.

Here’s why and how it works legally and procedurally:

When applying for a PAN correction (change of name), the Income Tax Department / NSDL-Protean only requires valid documentary evidence of the name change, not necessarily Indian Gazette proof. The official NSDL/UTIITSL list of acceptable documents includes:

• Passport (for foreign citizens/OCI holders),

• OCI card (as proof of Indian origin), and

• Any government-issued name change document such as a court order, deed poll, or equivalent legal certificate from the jurisdiction where the person resides.

Because you hold foreign citizenship, your home country’s court decree or name change certificate is a legally recognized proof under Indian law, provided it is duly attested and verifiable. Indian authorities generally accept foreign public documents if they are:

1. Notarized or certified by the foreign authority, and

2. Apostilled under the Hague Convention, or attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate if the country is not part of the Apostille Convention.

So, you only need to ensure your court-issued name change document is apostilled (or consular attested) before attaching it with your PAN correction application.

Once you submit that along with:

• Copy of your foreign passport (showing full name),

• Copy of your OCI card,

• Proof of address (can be foreign or Indian, as applicable), and

• The PAN correction form (selecting “Name Change/Correction”),

NSDL-Protean will accept it as valid and issue the updated PAN card with your full, corrected name.

You do not need:

• Indian Gazette notification,

• Indian newspaper advertisements, or

• Any local Indian affidavit.

Those are required only when Indian citizens change their name within India, not for foreign passport holders or OCI cardholders whose name has been changed legally abroad.

To make your application watertight:

• Include a short covering letter saying:

  “I am a foreign passport holder and OCI cardholder. My name has been officially changed by the [Name of Court], [City, Country], as per the attached court order. I request the correction of my PAN name accordingly.”

• Attach a copy of the apostilled court order.

If you want extra assurance, you can self-attest the copies and include your foreign address and contact details on the PAN correction form.

Once approved, the new PAN card will carry your updated name as per your passport, and your PAN number remains unchanged, so all existing records (property, taxes, etc.) stay valid.

You shall have to get your name mentioned in your PAN card amended by executing an affidavit before the 1st Class Judicial Magistrate.

- You can apply for re-issue of PAN card on the correct name after submitting the copy of the Passport 

- Further, you can execute an Affidavit after affirming that your both the names are same and of one person only , and further you will not face any problem 

It has become a common complaint from many users who face the same issue with the PROTEAN PAN correction applications, especially when the rejection email is vague and gives no clear reason.

Even now you can follow the following steps:

1. Go to https://www.protean-tinpan.com/, navigate to 'track PAN/TAN application status' enter your acknowledgment number.

Sometimes you may get more detailed reasolike 'document mismatch' or signature missing or name format issue'.

2. Common reasons for discrepancy even when documents look fine:

The portal’s automated check often flags applications for reasons like:

Name mismatch between PAN database and proof documents (even minor spelling differences).

Signature mismatch or incomplete signature box.

Uploading self-attested documents but missing the “I hereby certify…” statement.

Photo not clear or scanned at wrong resolution.

Proof of identity/address not updated (e.g., old Aadhaar or passport with old address).

Minor mismatch between name on Aadhaar and proof of date of birth.

These trivial differences often trigger rejections without clear explanation.

3. You can now opt for offline mode to reapply for the same. 

You can download Form 49A (for Indian citizens) or PAN correction form, fill it manually, and submit it at a Protean or UTIITSL PAN service center.
This route allows a physical verification, and you can ask the officer to check your documents before submission.
They will tell you instantly if there’s any mismatch.
You’ll still get an acknowledgement number to track online.

4. Alternately you can apply online via UTIITSL portal  instead of PROTEAN which is reportedly more user friendly.

If all your efforts fail to fetch you the fruitful result then you can approach an advocate who is familiar with the subject matter and practises in the same field and try to escalate legally through the chosen advocate.

Advocates generally do not do the clerical work for applying on website fir PAN correction 

Your decision to hire an advocate is correct - PROTEAN's generic "discrepancy" emails are common and professionals handle them efficiently.

Best Options for Professional Help

1. PAN Consultants/Advocates

• Professional fees: ₹500-2500 for correction services

• Success rate: Much higher than individual applications

• Direct contacts with PROTEAN processing centers

2. NRI/OCI Specialists

• Specialized services for foreign passport holders

• Expert document preparation to avoid rejections

• Cost: ₹[deleted] (including government fees)

What Professional Will Do

Immediate Actions:

• Analyze your original application to identify actual discrepancy

• Resubmit with correct format - name matching passport exactly

• Handle PROTEAN communication directly

Common Discrepancy Fixes:

• Name format correction (First Middle Last vs Initial+Name)

• Document quality issues resolution

• OCI recognition problems

Recommended Action

Search for: "PAN consultant NRI OCI services" or "advocate PAN correction"

Expected outcome: 15-20 working days with professional handling vs uncertain timeline with DIY approach.

Total cost: ₹1500-3500 including professional and government fees - worth avoiding repeated rejections and frustration.

Ordinarily, such amendments are made by submitting affidavit affirmed before the 1st Class Judicial Magistrate,

It’s better you physically approach the offfce there and many a times issue when you file online application 

Yes, sure.

You should proceed in a way you think fit

- You can correspondence with this website for knowing the same