How to e-Verify your Income Tax Return Using AADHAR Card

How to e-Verify your Income Tax Return Using AADHAR Card?

Learn how to e-verify your Income Tax Return using Aadhaar EVC, including steps, requirements, and quick online verification process.

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-01-15

1079 Views

8 minutes read

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Filing your income tax return (ITR) is an annual obligation for every eligible taxpayer. If you choose to file your return online, you should take care of certain things. For example, you must select the correct ITR form. The form type depends on your residential status and your income for the financial year. You must also know the due date for filing your income tax returns. If you fail to file the return on or before the due date, you may be liable to pay a penalty under the Income-tax Act. There are two tax regimes, and you must select the more beneficial one. Additionally, once your return is filed, it must be verified physically or via Electronic Verification Code (EVC). Knowing how to generate EVC helps ensure your Income Tax Return is successfully e-verified.

Key Takeaways


  • Linking your PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory to file and e-verify your Income Tax Return without disruptions
  • ITR filing is incomplete without e-verification, which can be done using Aadhaar OTP or Electronic Verification Code (EVC)
  • If Aadhaar OTP verification fails, EVC offers an alternate way to successfully e-verify your return online
  • Choosing the right tax regime and planning tax-saving investments early can help reduce your tax liability
  • Completing ITR filing and verification on time helps avoid penalties, delays, and last-minute stress

Have You Linked Your Aadhaar With PAN?

It is mandatory to link your PAN (Permanent Account Number) with Aadhaar under Indian tax rules. The final deadline to link them was 31 December 2025, and any PAN that remains unlinked will become inoperative for most taxpayers from 1 January 2026.

If your Aadhaar and PAN are not linked, you may have to pay a late fee of ₹1,000 before linking them on the Income Tax e-filing portal.

Once linked, your PAN becomes operative again, and you can file and e-verify ITR through Aadhaar or other methods without issues.

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What is Aadhaar EVC, And Why is it Important?

The EVC full form is Electronic Verification Code. Aadhaar EVC is a secure code used to electronically verify your Income Tax Return without sending physical documents to the Income Tax Department. When you choose to e-verify your ITR using Aadhaar, a one-time password (OTP) is sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar card, which serves as the verification code.

Using Aadhaar EVC is important because it completes the ITR filing process instantly, ensures faster processing of your return, and helps avoid delays or rejection due to non-verification. It is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to verify your return online.

How to E-Verify ITR with Aadhar/EVC/DSC/Net Banking?

After you file your return, you must e-verify it to complete the filing process. You get the following four options to verify your returns:

  • Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): A secure e-verification method primarily used for audit cases

  • Aadhaar OTP (One-Time Password): Allows e-verify ITR through Aadhaar if your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar

  • Electronic Verification Code: Generate EVC via net banking or registered email/mobile

  • Net Banking: Quick ITR e-verification via your registered bank account

Using Aadhaar OTP vs EVC: Which Option Should You Choose?

The Income Tax Department allows multiple methods to e-verify your return. The most commonly used options are Aadhaar OTP and Electronic Verification Code (EVC). The table below highlights the key differences to help you choose the most suitable method.

Using Aadhar OTP

Using EVC

You can use this option only if you have linked your PAN and Aadhaar

You can use this option even if your Aadhaar and PAN are not linked

It is the fastest way to e-verify your ITR

This method is slightly longer but works without Aadhaar linkage

Once selected, the system will ask you to generate an Aadhar OTP for ITR

You generate EVC by going to the 'e-File' tab, or immediately after filing the return

A one-time password is sent to your registered mobile number

A10-digit code is sent to your registered mobile number or Email ID

Enter the OTP on the page, then click the Submit button

Enter the 10-digit EVC on the verification page, and submit

You will receive the confirmation: "Return successfully e-Verified"

You will receive the confirmation: "Return successfully e-Verified”

Are You Paying Too Much in Taxes?

You may think you are paying high taxes and want to save on them. However, you don't want to make an investment or show any expenses. In such cases, you can still reduce your tax liability by opting for the new tax regime introduced in FY 2020-21 for individuals with lower tax rates and fewer deductions (exemptions).

If you do not have the intent to claim deductions or exemptions, you can opt for a new tax regime and save taxes as follows, with no deduction or claims:

Tax Rates Under the Old Tax Regime FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)

Taxable Income Range (₹)

Old Regime Income Tax Rate

Applicable Surcharge

Up to ₹2,50,000

Nil

Nil

₹2,50,001 to ₹5,00,000**

5% on income exceeding ₹2,50,000

Nil

₹5,00,001 to ₹10,00,000

₹12,500 + 20% on income exceeding ₹5,00,000

Nil

₹10,00,001 to ₹50,00,000

₹1,12,500 + 30% on income exceeding ₹10,00,000

Nil

₹50,00,001 to ₹1,00,00,000

₹1,12,500 + 30% on income exceeding ₹10,00,000

10%

₹1,00,00,001 to ₹2,00,00,000

₹1,12,500 + 30% on income exceeding ₹10,00,000

15%

₹2,00,00,001 to ₹5,00,00,000

₹1,12,500 + 30% on income exceeding ₹10,00,000

25% 

Above ₹5,00,00,000

₹1,12,500 + 30% on income exceeding ₹10,00,000

37% 

trivia-img

Did You Know?

If your Income Tax Return is not e-verified within 30 days of filing, it is treated as invalid, meaning you may have to file the return again


Source: Income Tax Gov

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Tax Rates under the New Regime FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)

Taxable Income Range (₹)

New Regime Income Tax Rate

Applicable Surcharge

Up to ₹4,00,000

Nil

Nil

₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000

5%

Nil

₹8,00,001 to ₹ 12,00,000

10%

Nil

₹12,00,001 to ₹16,00,000

15%

Nil

₹16,00,001 to ₹20,00,000

20%

Nil

₹20,00,001 to ₹24,00,000

25%

Nil

Above ₹24,00,000

30%

Nil 

How to Save Tax While Building a Future?

Many tax-saving investment options can lower your tax liabilities. The advantage of these options is that they not only offer tax benefits but also help you build a secure financial future for yourself and your loved ones. Below are some tax-saving investment options that also help in creating wealth:

  • Employee Provident Fund (EPF): A retirement scheme for salaried employees, where both the employer and the employee contribute 12% of the employee’s basic salary and Dearness Allowance (DA). The amount gets deposited in government-recognised provident fund schemes.
  • Unit Linked Investment Plans (ULIPs): An excellent option that allows you to invest in multiple asset classes, such as equity and debt, while providing life insurance coverage. They can be a suitable option if you are looking to build tax-free wealth, subject to applicable conditions under the Income Tax Act. 
  • National Pension Scheme (NPS): Another investment option to secure your retirement. You can invest in NPS over the working years. While the scheme is primarily for retirement, partial withdrawals are permitted under specific conditions, and the remaining corpus can be withdrawn at retirement in accordance with prescribed rules.

Tax Saving and Financial Protection

You should focus not only on creating wealth through your investments but also on preparing for unforeseen situations. You should have at least two basic protection plans:

  1. Term Insurance: It is the purest form of life insurance that offers you life cover at an affordable premium. Premiums paid are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, subject to applicable limits, and the policy also keeps your family’s future safe from unfortunate events. An adequate term insurance cover will ensure a stable future for your family even after your untimely death. Our iSelect Smart360 Term Plan offers tax deductions as per the Income Tax Act. 
  2. Health Insurance: Health insurance is another essential financial tool to have. It helps manage medical expenses while also offering tax benefits. You can have two types of health covers:
    • Mediclaim: which looks after emergency medical bills regardless of the illness
    • Critical Health Cover: which provides a large benefit amount upon diagnosis of a dangerous illness or disability

Premiums paid for both Mediclaim and critical illness policies are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80D. Having adequate health cover for yourself and your family helps reduce financial stress during medical emergencies.

Invest in Your Future While Saving Taxes

Tax-saving investments and instruments such as PPF, NPS, and ULIPs help you meet your financial needs while saving taxes. Other tax-saving instruments, like term and health insurance plans, help you keep your family and investments safe from sudden emergencies.

By using tax-saving investments effectively, you can make your long-term investments more tax-efficient. Therefore, including tax-saving instruments in your overall financial plan can help you achieve your goals more effectively. It also helps you avoid the last-minute tax-saving rush to save taxes at the end of every financial year.

Conclusion

Filing your Income Tax Return on time and completing the e-verification process are essential steps to remain compliant with tax regulations. If you are unable to e verify ITR through Aadhaar, you can still complete the process by understanding how to get EVC code through alternate methods available on the e-Filing portal, ensuring your return is validated without delays.

At the same time, choosing the right tax regime and planning tax-saving investments in advance can help reduce your tax burden while supporting long-term financial goals. By staying informed, linking your PAN with Aadhaar, and completing ITR verification correctly, you can manage your taxes efficiently and avoid last-minute stress every financial year.

Glossary

  1. Electronic Verification Code (EVC): A 10-digit code used to electronically verify your Income Tax Return on the e-Filing portal
  2. Aadhaar OTP: A one-time password sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number to e-verify your Income Tax Return
  3. New Tax Regime: An optional tax system offering lower tax rates with fewer deductions and exemptions
  4. Old Tax Regime: The traditional tax system that allows deductions and exemptions under sections like 80C and 80D
  5. ITR e-Verification: The process of confirming your filed Income Tax Return electronically to complete the filing process
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Uncertain About Insurance

FAQs

To get an Aadhaar OTP for ITR verification, log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal and go to ‘e-File’ > ‘Income Tax Returns’ > ‘e-Verify Return’. Select ‘Verify using Aadhaar OTP’ and click ‘Generate Aadhaar OTP’. A 6-digit OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and is valid for 15 minutes.

Before you begin:

  • Ensure your PAN is linked with Aadhaar

  • Your mobile number must be registered with UIDAI

Steps to verify ITR using Aadhaar OTP:

  1. Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal using your PAN and password

  2. Navigate to ‘e-File’ to ‘Income Tax Returns’ to ‘e-Verify Return’

  3. Select ‘Verify using OTP on mobile number registered with Aadhaar’

  4. Click ‘Generate Aadhaar OTP’ and enter the 6-digit OTP received

  5. Submit to complete e-verification

No, Aadhaar OTP is not mandatory to enable EVC income tax verification. Apart from Aadhaar OTP, taxpayers can generate an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) through authorised methods such as net banking, pre-validated bank accounts, or ATM-based validation.

Yes, you can generate an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) to e-verify your Income Tax Return even if your PAN is not linked with Aadhaar. In such cases, Aadhaar OTP will not be available, but you can use alternate methods such as net banking, bank ATM, or pre-validated bank or Demat accounts to generate the EVC.

If you do not receive the Aadhaar OTP for ITR verification, immediately check that your mobile number is active and correctly linked to your Aadhaar. If it still fails, use alternative e-Verification methods: EVC via net banking, pre-validated bank account/Demat account, or ATM. Alternatively, send a physical ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru, within 30 days.

Yes, Aadhaar OTP usage for ITR e-verification has certain limits. You are allowed up to 3 attempts to enter the correct OTP; after that, further attempts may be blocked for 2–3 hours. Each OTP is valid for only 15 minutes. If the limit is exceeded, you can either wait and retry or use an alternate verification method.

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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