The Nagarik App - Nepal's official citizen services app from the Government of Nepal - now lets you start a PAN registration entirely from your phone, without scanning or uploading a single file separately. It connects to the same Inland Revenue Department (IRD) system used by the web Taxpayer Portal, so the underlying process and the final biometric visit are identical. What changes is convenience: you photograph your citizenship certificate and your own photo directly through the app's camera.
This guide covers installing the app, verifying your identity, and completing the PAN registration section step by step. If you would rather use a desktop browser or you are a foreign national, see our guide to PAN registration through the IRD web portal, since the Nagarik App requires Nepali citizenship or a National ID and is not available to foreign applicants.
Quick Answer
Install the official Nagarik App, register with your mobile number and OTP, verify your identity with your citizenship number, then go to Services > Inland Revenue Department > PAN Registration. Capture your citizenship certificate and photo using your phone camera, choose your Inland Revenue Office, and submit. You still need one in-person visit for biometric verification before the PAN is officially issued.
Before You Begin: What You Need
- A smartphone (Android or iOS) with the Nagarik App installed
- A mobile number registered in your own name, able to receive SMS
- Your citizenship certificate number and the physical card in hand for the camera capture
- Good lighting for the in-app photo capture step
- A stable internet connection
Setting Up Your Nagarik App Account
If you already use the Nagarik App for other services, such as checking your National ID or vehicle records, you can skip ahead to the PAN registration section. If this is your first time, set up your account first.
Open the app and choose a language
Launch Nagarik App and select Nepali or English as your display language.
Register with your mobile number
Enter a SIM registered under your own name. You will receive an OTP by SMS - enter it to verify the number.
Verify your identity document
Select Citizenship, Passport, or Voter ID as your document type and enter the details exactly as printed - number, issue date, date of birth, and issuing district. The app checks these against government records.
Set your PIN
Create a 4-digit PIN, and set up fingerprint or face login if your device supports it. Your account is now active and logged in.
Completing PAN Registration Inside the App
With your Nagarik App account ready, the PAN-specific steps are short because most of your identity information is already verified.
Navigate to the PAN service
From the home screen, go to Services > Inland Revenue Department > PAN Registration.
Confirm your personal details
Review the name, date of birth, and address fields pulled from your citizenship or National ID record. Correct any field that does not match your official documents before continuing.
Capture your citizenship certificate and photo
Use your phone camera, directly inside the app, to photograph your citizenship certificate and take a passport-style photo of yourself. Good, even lighting avoids a rejected capture.
Select your Inland Revenue Office
Choose the office nearest to your permanent or temporary address - this is where you will complete the mandatory biometric visit.
Submit - no payment required
Review your application summary and submit. There is no fee at any point. Note the confirmation or reference number shown in the app.
Visit your chosen office for biometric verification
Bring your original citizenship certificate. An officer verifies it against your app submission and captures your photograph and fingerprints. This step finalizes the PAN.
Download your e-PAN inside the app
Once approved - typically 1 to 3 working days after your office visit - your e-PAN certificate becomes available for download directly within the Nagarik App.
Nagarik App vs. the IRD Web Portal
Nagarik App
- Capture documents with your phone camera, no separate scanning
- Best for individuals with Nepali citizenship or NID
- Not available to foreign nationals
- Same biometric office visit still required
IRD Web Portal
- Works on any browser, desktop or mobile
- Required route for foreign nationals
- Needs pre-scanned document uploads (JPEG, under 2 MB)
- Same biometric office visit still required
Troubleshooting Common App Issues
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| OTP not received | SIM not registered under your name, or weak signal | Confirm SIM ownership with your telecom provider and retry in an area with better signal |
| Identity verification fails | Details typed do not exactly match the citizenship record | Re-enter the citizenship number, issue date, and district precisely as printed on the card |
| Photo capture rejected | Poor lighting, blur, or glare on the citizenship card | Retake in daylight or bright indoor light, hold the phone steady, avoid glossy reflections |
| "PAN already exists" error | You previously registered a PAN under this citizenship | Do not create a duplicate - contact IRD or visit an office to retrieve your existing PAN |
| App shows old address after update | Local cache not refreshed | Log out, close the app fully, and log back in to refresh your profile data |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to visit an IRD office if I use the Nagarik App?
Yes. The app can generate and submit your application, but biometric verification - your photograph and fingerprints - at your selected Inland Revenue Office is mandatory to activate the PAN, exactly as with the web portal.
Can foreign nationals register for PAN using the Nagarik App?
No. The Nagarik App relies on Nepali citizenship or National ID records for identity verification. Foreign nationals should use the IRD Taxpayer Portal instead, entering passport and visa details.
Is there a fee to register for PAN through the app?
No. PAN registration is free through every official channel - the Nagarik App, the IRD web portal, or in person at an Inland Revenue Office.
What if my citizenship photo does not scan clearly in the app?
Retake the photo in even, natural light without direct glare on the card surface, and make sure all four corners of the certificate are visible in the frame before confirming the capture.
Can I use the Nagarik App for Business PAN as well as Personal PAN?
Yes. Under Inland Revenue Services, choose "Company" instead of an individual application and upload your business registration and incorporation documents.
How is my PAN number delivered after approval?
Once your application is approved after the office biometric visit, your PAN number and e-PAN certificate become available for download within the Nagarik App, and are also visible on the IRD Taxpayer Portal.
Conclusion
The Nagarik App turns most of PAN registration into a short, camera-based mobile task rather than a scan-and-upload chore, while still routing through the exact same IRD approval process as the web portal. The one non-negotiable step, on either channel, is the in-person biometric visit - plan that visit as part of your registration timeline rather than an afterthought, and you can have an active PAN within a few days.
Read the IRD Web Portal PAN Guide
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