Can Students Open a Bank Account Without PAN in 2026?

You download a bank app, enter your mobile number, scan Aadhaar—and then the next screen asks for PAN. There is no skip button. If you are a first-year student who has never needed a PAN, the obvious question is: does this mean I cannot have my own bank account?

Not necessarily. The confusing part is that two different rules operate at once. Tax rules provide a declaration route for some people who do not have PAN, while each bank can still set eligibility requirements for a specific product. A basic branch account, a minor account and an instant digital account are not the same product.

This guide explains the practical 2026 route, including the form-name change that many bank pages have not yet reflected.

Can a student open a bank account without a PAN card?

Yes, in some cases—but usually not through every online flow. If you do not have PAN, a bank may accept the prescribed declaration along with its KYC documents for an eligible account. Since 1 April 2026, the Income Tax Department says Form 97 replaces Form 60 for a person who does not have PAN and enters a specified transaction.

Product rules still matter. For example, Kotak’s official 811 page lists both a valid PAN and Aadhaar as requirements for its online zero-balance account. That means “banking law allows a declaration” and “this particular app accepts a no-PAN application” can produce different answers.

Important 2026 update: Form 97 replaced Form 60

If you have already searched this question, you have probably seen dozens of pages saying “submit Form 60.” That was the familiar declaration under the earlier rules. The Income Tax Department’s current guidance says that, from 1 April 2026, fresh PAN applications use new forms under the Income-tax Rules, 2026 and a person without PAN may furnish Form 97 for transactions covered by Rule 159(2).

This transition matters because some bank help pages and downloadable checklists can lag behind a legal form update. Federal Bank and Indian Bank already reference Form 97 on current pages, while some other bank pages still show Form 60. Do not argue with the branch based on an old blog screenshot. Instead, show the Income Tax Department guidance and ask which updated declaration the branch currently processes.

Documents to carry to the branch

A five-minute phone call before travelling can save you a wasted afternoon. Ask: “I do not have PAN. Does this savings or minor-account product accept Form 97, and which KYC documents should I bring?” If the answer is yes, carry originals plus photocopies of the documents the branch specifies.

• Aadhaar or another officially valid KYC document accepted by the bank.
• Recent photographs, if the branch uses a paper application.
• College ID or admission proof if the account has student-specific eligibility.
• Address and mobile details that match your KYC record where possible.
• Form 97, supplied or accepted by the bank for a qualifying no-PAN application.
• Guardian KYC and proof of date of birth when opening a minor account.

Do not hand over original documents to an unauthorised agent, and never share an OTP with someone filling the form “for you.” Complete video KYC only inside the bank’s official app or verified website.

Why the online application may still reject you

A digital account is designed for automated verification. PAN helps the bank match identity and complete tax-related checks quickly, so some instant products make it a mandatory field even if a different branch product can be opened using a declaration.

If an app asks for PAN and provides no alternative, do not enter a parent’s PAN or a made-up number. That creates a mismatch in your account records. Use one of these safer options:

1. Check the product’s official eligibility page, not an affiliate comparison page.
2. Call the bank and ask about a branch-based savings account that accepts Form 97.
3. If you are under 18, ask specifically for the bank’s minor-account product.
4. If you are eligible to obtain PAN, consider applying for it before choosing a digital account; PAN will also be useful for investments, tax records and many future financial applications.

What if the bank offers a “Small Account”?

RBI’s KYC framework provides a simplified “Small Account” route for a person who cannot initially provide the normal documents. It is not a full substitute for regular KYC. Such accounts carry limits: aggregate credits generally cannot exceed ₹1 lakh in a financial year, the balance cannot exceed ₹50,000, and withdrawals plus transfers cannot exceed ₹10,000 in a month. They also have time-bound KYC conditions.

For a student receiving a small allowance, those limits may sound comfortable. But a scholarship, education payment or family transfer could unexpectedly push the account above a limit. Ask the branch to explain exactly what will happen, how long the account remains valid and what documents are needed to convert it to a regular account.

Rules for students below 18

A student below 18 normally uses a minor savings account. The account may be operated by a parent or guardian, or—depending on the bank and the child’s age—by the minor under the bank’s rules. SBI, for example, describes Pehla Kadam as a minor account opened with a guardian and Pehli Udaan for minors above 10 who can sign uniformly.

The bank can request documents for both the minor and guardian. Current examples also show that banks may ask for PAN or Form 97 details for the minor and/or guardian depending on the product. The safest approach is to check the chosen bank’s minor-account checklist rather than assume the adult-account process applies.

The safest step-by-step process

1. Decide what you actually need. For scholarships and UPI, a basic savings or minor account may be enough. Do not choose a premium account for features you will not use.
2. Shortlist two banks with nearby branches. Compare zero-balance status, debit-card fees, ATM limits and service access. Start with our student zero-balance account comparison.
3. Verify the official product page. Look for PAN requirements and the latest schedule of charges.
4. Call before visiting. Ask whether the exact product accepts Form 97 for a customer without PAN.
5. Submit only truthful information. Never use another person’s PAN, fake income details or a paid “shortcut.”
6. Keep the acknowledgement. Save a photo or copy of the application and declaration, but redact sensitive details before storing it in cloud notes.
7. Check the first statement. Confirm the account type, minimum-balance rule and debit-card charge. If you are considering SBI’s basic account, read our SBI BSBD rules for students.

Should you apply for PAN anyway?

If you are eligible, getting PAN is usually the simpler long-term move. You may need it when you start investing, receive taxable income, open some digital accounts or complete other financial transactions. But you should not be forced to invent a PAN simply because an app supports only one onboarding route.

The practical choice is:

• Need an account urgently? Ask a branch about an eligible Form 97 or minor-account route.
• Want a specific instant digital account? Read its official PAN requirement and apply for PAN first if required.
• Only need a zero-balance account? Compare total fees—not just the words “zero balance.” Our Kotak 811 fee guide shows the questions to ask.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources checked

• Income Tax Department: new forms and Form 97 guidance
• Reserve Bank of India: KYC framework and Small Account limits
• Kotak 811: official digital-account eligibility
• Federal Bank: current minor-account document guidance
• Indian Bank: current account-opening forms including Form 97
• SBI: savings accounts for minors

Editorial note: Banking products and onboarding flows can change. This article explains general rules and examples checked on September 29, 2026; the bank’s current official terms and branch decision govern your application.