At a glanceNo, video KYC isn’t your only option, and a physical PAN card isn’t the only way to complete it either. RBI lets banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and fintechs offer several KYC methods side by side: video KYC, Aadhaar-based e-KYC, or in-person verification with certified copies, so you can usually ask for an alternative. Within a video KYC call itself, a valid e-PAN downloaded from the Income Tax Department’s site or DigiLocker is accepted; you don’t need to hold up the physical card.
Educational resource only. This explains video KYC and PAN requirements under RBI’s KYC framework, and how they interact with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act); it is not formal legal or regulatory advice.
The situation
You need to open an account or complete a KYC update, and you’re pushed straight into a video call, or told you need your physical PAN card in hand. Neither is quite as fixed as it’s often made to sound. RBI’s own framework gives banks and NBFCs more than one way to verify you, and it accepts more than one form of your PAN as well.
Is video KYC compulsory?
No, RBI treats it as one option among several, not the only route. RBI’s Master Direction on Know Your Customer (KYC) lists the Video-based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) alongside Aadhaar-based e-KYC (OTP, biometric or offline XML) and traditional in-person verification with certified document copies. A bank, NBFC or fintech decides which of these it offers, but if more than one is available, you can generally ask for an alternative to a video call, particularly if you’d rather not be on camera or don’t have a stable connection at the time.
Can it be done without a physical PAN card?
Yes, an e-PAN is accepted in place of the physical card. During a video KYC call you’re generally asked to present your PAN. RBI’s framework accepts a valid e-PAN (the digital PAN issued as a PDF by the Income Tax Department, or fetched through DigiLocker), alongside Aadhaar verified through OTP, biometric authentication, offline XML, or a QR code generated within the last three days. The bank checks your PAN details directly against the issuing authority or DigiLocker rather than looking at the physical card, so having the card on hand doesn’t add anything extra.
- Accepted: an e-PAN PDF from the Income Tax e-filing portal or DigiLocker, alongside Aadhaar via OTP, biometric, or a recent QR code.
- Not a real requirement: being told you must show the physical PAN card when a valid e-PAN is available instead.
What if you don’t have an e-PAN or DigiLocker copy handy?
You can usually download one on the spot, or fall back on the physical card or another method. An e-PAN can be downloaded free from the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal, or through the NSDL/Protean or UTIITSL PAN services, using your PAN number and date of birth. It’s also available through DigiLocker if your PAN is linked there. If none of that is possible at the time, the physical card still works, or you can ask about switching to Aadhaar-based e-KYC or in-person verification instead.
How to choose the method that suits you
A little preparation beforehand saves a scramble during the call.
- Ask what KYC methods are on offer before you start, rather than assuming video KYC is the only path.
- If you’re comfortable on camera with a stable connection, video KYC with an e-PAN and Aadhaar is usually the fastest route.
- If not, ask about Aadhaar-only e-KYC or in-person verification with certified copies as alternatives.
- Keep your e-PAN download or DigiLocker link ready in advance, so you’re not searching for the physical card once the call has started.
What you can do about it
Push back on requirements that aren’t actually RBI’s rule.
- Question a “video KYC only” claim. Ask what alternatives the company offers and whether it’s simply defaulting to the easiest option for itself.
- Ask which format of PAN is needed before assuming the physical card is required at all.
- Escalate to the grievance officer if a company insists on a requirement RBI’s framework doesn’t actually mandate.
FAQ
Can I switch from video KYC to in-branch verification halfway through?
Generally yes, if the switch happens before the process is completed; ask the bank or NBFC directly, since the exact handling can vary by institution.
Is e-PAN treated the same as a physical PAN card for other purposes too?
Yes, an e-PAN carries the same legal validity as the physical card for identification and tax purposes; it’s simply a digitally issued copy.
Does every bank or fintech offer video KYC?
No. Some still require in-person verification for certain products, particularly higher-value accounts, so it’s worth asking rather than assuming.
Can I use Aadhaar alone without PAN for basic KYC?
For many low-value or minimum-KYC accounts, yes, but most full-service accounts require both Aadhaar and PAN under RBI’s framework.
What if my e-PAN details don’t match my Aadhaar details?
The bank will usually flag the mismatch and ask you to correct it with the issuing authority before onboarding can be completed, since your identity documents need to match.