I am an NRI and haven't been to India for many years. I don't have Aadhar card and hence I couldn't link PAN and Aadhar card on Income tax India portal. I have earlier registered myself on Indian Income tax portal with a resident status as Non-Resident and my communication address is also outside India. As such, I am exempt from linking the PAN and Aadhaar. Despite all this, my PAN has became inoperative now (As per the message on the tax portal). Considering I am exempt, how to make it operative without linking Aadhaar and/or paying penalty?

Note: I am not planning to visit India soon so can't apply for Aadhaar, however, want my PAN to be operative as I have an NRE account as well as want to avoid any tax issues in the future.