30-day verification period: If you choose to verify your Income Tax Return after filing, the current e-Filing guidance requires verification within 30 days from the date of filing. Verification after 30 days requires submission of a condonation-of-delay request through the portal.

Verification is mandatoryAn ITR is not treated as validly completed merely because it was uploaded.

Fastest optionsAadhaar OTP, EVC and Net Banking can complete verification electronically.

Pre-login availableYou can use e-Verify Return from the portal's Quick Links without logging in.

Physical alternativeA signed ITR-V can be sent to CPC where you choose that verification route.

Open Income Tax e-Filing Portal Official e-Verify User Manual

Why must an Income Tax Return be verified?

Filing the return and verifying it are two parts of the return-filing process. The Income Tax Department states that an ITR must be verified within the prescribed period; otherwise, it may be treated as invalid.

Electronic verification is generally the quickest way to complete the process because it avoids sending a signed paper ITR-V to the Centralized Processing Centre.

Current ways to e-Verify an ITR

Method	Main requirement	How it works
Aadhaar OTP	PAN linked with Aadhaar and access to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.	Generate or use the Aadhaar OTP and submit it on the e-Verify screen.
EVC through Bank Account	Pre-validated and EVC-enabled bank account on the e-Filing portal.	Generate an Electronic Verification Code and enter it to verify the return.
EVC through Demat Account	Pre-validated and EVC-enabled demat account.	Generate the EVC through the validated demat account and enter it on the portal.
Net Banking	PAN linked with the bank account and Net Banking enabled with a supported bank.	Log in through Net Banking, access the Income Tax e-Filing service and complete verification.
Bank ATM EVC	Valid debit card with a bank supporting the Generate EVC for Income Tax Filing ATM facility.	Generate the EVC at the ATM and use the received code on the e-Filing portal.
Digital Signature Certificate	Valid active DSC and required signing utility.	Use the registered/eligible DSC to complete verification.

How to e-Verify ITR after logging in

Open the official e-Filing portal.
Visit www.incometax.gov.in and log in with your user ID and password.
Go to e-Verify Return.
Select e-File → Income Tax Returns → e-Verify Return.
Select the unverified return.
On the e-Verify Return page, click e-Verify against the return that is awaiting verification.
Check the filing date.
If the return is being verified within 30 days, proceed directly. If more than 30 days have passed, the portal will guide you to submit a condonation-of-delay request.
Choose a verification method.
Select Aadhaar OTP, existing EVC, Bank Account EVC, Demat Account EVC, Net Banking, bank ATM EVC or another option available for your account.
Complete authentication.
Enter the OTP/EVC or follow the selected bank, DSC or other verification process.
Submit.
After successful verification, the portal displays a success message with the transaction and acknowledgement details.

How to e-Verify ITR without logging in

The Income Tax Department also provides a pre-login e-Verify Return facility:

Open the e-Filing portal homepage and select e-Verify Return under Quick Links.
Enter PAN, Assessment Year, ITR Acknowledgement Number and the mobile number requested by the portal.
Enter the 6-digit mobile OTP sent to that number.
Select the required verification method and complete the process.

The mobile OTP used at this preliminary stage is currently valid for 15 minutes, with three attempts permitted before a fresh OTP is required.

E-Verify ITR using Aadhaar OTP

For Aadhaar OTP verification, PAN must be linked with Aadhaar and you must have access to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar. Select Generate Aadhaar OTP, consent to Aadhaar authentication where requested, enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number and submit.

E-Verify using Bank Account EVC

Your bank account must first be pre-validated and enabled for EVC on the e-Filing portal. Select Generate EVC through Bank Account; the EVC is delivered through the contact details associated with the validated account/portal process, and the generated code is then used for verification.

E-Verify using Demat Account EVC

A pre-validated and EVC-enabled demat account can also be used. Select the Demat Account EVC option, generate the code and enter it on the e-Verify screen.

E-Verify through Net Banking

Where your bank supports the facility and PAN is linked with the bank account, choose Net Banking. You will be redirected to the selected bank, where you authenticate through Net Banking and access the Income Tax e-Filing verification service.

Generate EVC through a bank ATM

The Income Tax Department currently lists the ATM EVC facility for eligible debit-card users of certain banks. At the bank ATM, select the option to generate an EVC for Income Tax filing, enter the required authentication details, and use the EVC received on your registered contact details to e-Verify the return.

ATM availability is bank-specific: The Department's current manual lists Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and State Bank of India for the bank-ATM EVC option. Always confirm the current supported-bank list on the official portal before relying on this method.

E-Verify using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

DSC verification requires a valid and active Digital Signature Certificate and the signing utility specified by the Income Tax Department. This method is particularly relevant where DSC verification is mandatory or preferred for the taxpayer category.

Verify through signed ITR-V

If you choose the physical verification route instead of electronic verification, print and sign the ITR-V and send it to the Centralized Processing Centre at the address specified by the Income Tax Department. The current ITR filing guidance requires the signed ITR-V to reach the CPC within the applicable 30-day verification period.

Recommended: If an electronic method is available to you, completing e-Verification immediately after filing reduces the risk of missing the verification deadline or postal delay.

What happens if I e-Verify after 30 days?

The current e-Verify process requires a condonation-of-delay request when verification is attempted after 30 days from filing. The portal asks for the reason for delay before allowing the verification process to continue. Acceptance of the delayed verification is subject to the applicable law and the Department's decision.

Can an unverified return be discarded?

The e-Filing portal provides a Discard Return facility for certain unverified returns. If an eligible original, belated or revised return has not been verified and you do not want to verify it, you may be able to discard it and file a fresh return. Before using this facility, check the filing due date because discarding an earlier return and filing again after the statutory due date can have consequences.

How to confirm that verification succeeded

After successful e-Verification, the portal displays a confirmation message together with a Transaction ID and Acknowledgement Number. A confirmation is also sent to the mobile number and email address registered on the e-Filing portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is e-Verification mandatory after filing ITR?

Yes. The return-filing process must be completed by verifying the return within the applicable period. Otherwise, the return may be treated as invalid.

What is the current ITR verification time limit?

The current Income Tax Department guidance generally requires verification within 30 days from the date of filing where verification was not completed immediately.

Can I e-Verify without logging in?

Yes. The e-Filing portal has a pre-login e-Verify Return service that uses PAN, Assessment Year, ITR Acknowledgement Number and mobile OTP before the chosen verification method is completed.

Can I e-Verify with Aadhaar OTP?

Yes, provided PAN is linked with Aadhaar and you have access to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

Can I use Net Banking to verify my return?

Yes, where the selected bank supports the service, PAN is linked with the bank account and Net Banking is enabled.

Can I still send ITR-V by post?

Yes, where that verification option is used. Follow the current CPC address and 30-day timing instructions shown on the official Income Tax portal.

Official Income Tax Department links

This article is for general information and guidance. Verification options, supported banks, portal screens and statutory requirements may change. Always check the current instructions displayed on the official Income Tax e-Filing portal for the relevant return and assessment year.