Official size requirements
| Document | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 350 × 350 to 1000 × 1000 pixels; the tool outputs 600 × 600 | 20–300 KB | JPG, colour, taken within 10 days of filling the form (CSE), no cap or glasses, eyes open, name and date of photo printed below the face (CSE from 2024) |
| Signature | 350 × 350 to 1000 × 1000 pixels | 20–300 KB | JPG, black or blue ink on white paper |
| Photo ID card | PDF, max 300 KB | — | Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN or passport — the ID you will carry to the exam |
Specifications are taken from the latest notification we could verify (see Sources on the main resizer page). Boards occasionally change limits between cycles — if your form shows a different number, choose Custom in the list and type it in.
How to use the UPSC photo and signature resizer
- Keep UPSC photo selected, choose a recent photo and frame the face so the head takes about three-quarters of the height; download — a 600 × 600 px JPG between 20 and 300 KB.
- For CSE forms that require it, add your name and the date of the photo in a strip below the face before uploading (a small white strip with black text) — the preset leaves room if you frame a little high.
- Switch to UPSC signature and choose the photo of your signature; it is fitted on white in the same square range.
- Upload in the OTR profile on upsconline.gov.in; the preview must show the whole face and the full signature.
Why uploads get rejected — and the fix
| Rejection reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| 'Photo should be between 20 KB and 300 KB' | Use the preset; the tool lands inside the range |
| 'Dimensions should be between 350 × 350 and 1000 × 1000' | The preset outputs 600 × 600; if you choose Custom, keep both sides in that range and the image square-ish |
| Photo older than the allowed window | UPSC CSE wants a photo taken within 10 days of the application date with the date printed — retake and re-upload |
| Face too small | The notification says the face should be clearly visible; zoom in so it fills most of the frame |
| Signature in capitals or a different style from your documents | Sign as you do on your ID; UPSC compares at the exam centre |
UPSC exams this applies to
Civil Services (Prelims), Indian Forest Service, NDA & NA, CDS, CAPF Assistant Commandant, Engineering Services, CMS, Geo-Scientist, IES/ISS, SO/Steno LDCE and most recruitment tests on the UPSC OTR platform share the same photo and signature rules. Re-check the specific notification: the CSE 2024 and 2025 notices added the 'name and date on the photograph' and '10-day' conditions that other exams do not require.
Tips and common mistakes
- Keep the original high-resolution photo; make a fresh resized copy for every form — do not resize an already-resized file.
- A plain white or light background, face straight to the camera, no cap or dark glasses, and 70–80% of the frame filled by the face is accepted by every board.
- Photograph the signature in daylight on plain white paper with a black pen; choose Signature mode so nothing is cropped off.
- Other forms: SSC · IBPS / SBI · PAN card · NEET / JEE / CUET · RRB · Passport Seva · EPFO / UAN · all presets.