Compress a PDF for PAN — Protean online application
PAN — Protean online application takes PDFs up to 300 KB. PDF Desk shrinks yours to just under it, right in this tab.
Max 300 KBPDF/A / JPEG
Files stay on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
PAN — Protean (NSDL) online application upload limits
| Document | Max size | Min size | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supporting documents (POI/POA/DOB proof) for a new PAN application or a change request (paperless DSC/eSign mode) Limit is 300 KB per page; scan at 200 DPI in black & white. The photo (JPEG, 20 KB max) and signature (JPEG, 10 KB max) are separate uploads. | 300 KB | — | PDF/A, JPEG |
Where this number comes from
“Resolution (in DPI) 200 DPI 200 DPI 200 DPI 2. Type Color Color Black & White 3. File type JPEG JPEG PDF/A or JPEG 4. Size Max. 20 KB Max. 10 KB Max. 300KB/per page”
— Guidelines for filling PAN New Application (Protean). Checked October 2026.
PDF Desk aims at 291 KB, a little under the limit, because some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
If the file will not get small enough
Scan in black and white at 150 DPI instead of colour. Remove blank and duplicate pages with Delete pages. If the portal allows several files, cut the PDF with Split PDF and upload the parts.
Other portals in India
Limits of other portals
Questions
What is the maximum PDF size for PAN — Protean online application?
Supporting documents (POI/POA/DOB proof) for a new PAN application or a change request (paperless DSC/eSign mode): 300 KB. Source: tin.tin.proteantech.in, checked October 2026.
PAN — Protean online application still rejects my PDF. Why?
Check that it is not password-protected, that the file name has no special characters, and that it is a few percent under the limit — some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
Are my PDFs uploaded?
No. PDF Desk opens and writes the file with JavaScript inside your browser tab. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe for contracts, IDs and bank statements.