How to verify your ITR after filing (e-verification)
An ITR must be verified within 30 days of filing for it to be treated as validly filed. The fastest method is Aadhaar OTP e-verification, completed in seconds on the portal. Other options include net banking-based e-verification, a bank account or demat account EVC, or sending a physically signed ITR-V by post to CPC Bengaluru (the slowest method).
Why verification is a separate, mandatory step
Submitting your ITR on the portal only completes the filing step — the return is not treated as validly filed until it's also verified, confirming that the person who filed it is indeed authorising its contents. An unverified return, after the 30-day window lapses, is treated as if it was never filed.
Aadhaar OTP — the fastest method
If your Aadhaar is linked to your PAN and your mobile number is registered with Aadhaar, e-verification via Aadhaar OTP takes under a minute — an OTP is sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile, and entering it on the portal completes verification instantly.
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You can also e-verify by logging into your net banking account through the income tax portal's linked gateway, or by generating an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) through a pre-validated bank account or demat account. These are marginally slower than Aadhaar OTP but still complete within minutes.
Sending a physical ITR-V — the slowest option
If none of the electronic options are available, you can download the ITR-V acknowledgment, sign it in blue ink, and send it by ordinary or speed post to CPC, Bengaluru, within 30 days of filing. This method takes days to weeks to be received and processed and should only be used as a last resort.
What happens if you miss the 30-day window
If verification isn't completed within 30 days, the return is treated as not filed. Depending on the timing relative to the original due date, you may need to file a fresh belated return (with the associated late fee) or apply for condonation of delay in verification, which the department may or may not grant depending on the circumstances.
What happens if I don't e-verify my ITR within 30 days?
The return is treated as if it was never filed at all. If the original due date has already passed by the time you notice, you'll typically need to file a fresh belated return (attracting the Section 234F late fee) or request condonation of the delay in verification from the department, which is not guaranteed to be granted. Verifying immediately after filing — Aadhaar OTP takes under a minute — avoids this risk entirely.
This article is for general information only. For your specific situation, consult a practicing CA.
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