Complete Guide to Government Photo & Signature Sizes in India (2026)
Uploading photographs and signatures onto official Indian government recruitment portals (SSC, UPSC, NTA, IBPS, Parivahan) frequently causes frustration due to automated validation errors like "File size out of range" or "Invalid pixel dimensions". Government portals enforce rigorous automated rules to ensure submitted biometric images print reliably on admit cards, identity cards, and verification rolls.
1. Why Government Portals Enforce Strict Dimension Limits
Automated application servers scan every uploaded asset against preset boundary algorithms:
- Pixel Dimensions: The image must conform to exact width and height ratios (e.g., 350 × 350 px square for UPSC IAS).
- File Size (KB): Must fall between minimum and maximum bounds (e.g., 20 KB to 50 KB for SSC CGL). If an image is 19.8 KB or 50.2 KB, it is rejected immediately.
- 300 DPI Resolution: Required so that miniature identity photos print sharply at 3.5 × 4.5 cm without visible pixelation.
2. Official Photo Specifications Comparison
| Document / Exam | Photo Dimensions | Photo Size Limit | Signature Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Licence (Sarathi) | 35 × 45 mm (413 × 531 px) | 10 KB – 20 KB | 30 × 10 mm (10 KB max) |
| PAN Card (NSDL) | 2.5 × 3.5 cm (200 DPI) | 10 KB – 20 KB | 2.0 × 1.0 cm (10 KB max) |
| PAN Card (UTIITSL) | 2.13 × 2.13 cm (300 DPI) | 20 KB – 30 KB | 3.75 × 1.73 cm (600 DPI, 60 KB) |
| Indian Passport | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) | 10 KB – 100 KB | 3.5 × 1.5 cm |
| SSC CGL / CHSL / MTS | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 20 KB – 50 KB | 4.0 × 2.0 cm (10 KB – 20 KB) |
| UPSC Civil Services | 350 × 350 pixels (1:1) | 20 KB – 300 KB | 350 × 350 pixels (20 KB – 300 KB) |
| NEET UG & JEE Main | 3.5 × 4.5 cm (300 DPI) | 10 KB – 200 KB | 3.5 × 1.5 cm (4 KB – 30 KB) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does DocEasy compress images to exact KB limits without quality loss?
DocEasy uses an in-browser binary search quality-compression algorithm (converging over 25 iterations) that targets just under your selected exam's ceiling limit while maintaining maximum image clarity.
Are my personal photos uploaded to a server?
No, never. All image scaling, canvas cropping, and JPEG compression take place 100% locally inside your browser memory using HTML5 Canvas API. No photos or biometric signatures are ever transmitted to any server.