Kavitha spent three hours at a photo studio in Hyderabad, then got her SSC application rejected because the photo was 4MB instead of 50KB. Indian government forms are unforgiving about dimensions, file sizes, and formats. This guide covers every photo and document requirement you will face — from Aadhaar updates to UPSC applications — with free tools to prepare everything at home.
Photo Size Requirements for Government Documents
Every Indian government document has different photo specs. Using one passport photo for Aadhaar, PAN, and SSC will get at least one application rejected. Always check the specific portal before uploading. Use Photo Resizer with presets for each document type.
Aadhaar Card Photo Requirements
UIDAI requires 413×531 pixels, max 50KB JPG. Guide: Aadhaar photo size guide. Detailed specs: Aadhaar Photo Size landing page.
PAN Card Photo Requirements
PAN applications need a recent colour photo, typically under 50KB. See PAN Card Photo Size for exact dimensions and resize instructions.
Passport Photo Requirements
MEA requires 35mm × 45mm, white background, neutral expression. Guides: Passport photo size requirements, Make passport size photo at home, and Passport Photo Size India.
Government Exam Photo Requirements (UPSC, SSC, Railway)
SSC and Railway typically need 200×230 pixels, 40–50KB JPG. UPSC allows up to 300KB. Read Resize photo for government exams and compress with Image Compress or Compress image under 100KB.
PDF Size Limits on Government Portals
Most portals cap PDFs at 1–2MB. Compress with PDF Compress before uploading marksheets, certificates, or ID proofs. Create QR codes for payment links on forms with QR Code Generator.
Age Calculation for Eligibility
UPSC, SSC, and Railway calculate age as on specific cutoff dates — getting this wrong means disqualification. Use Age Calculator and read Age calculator for government forms. Also see Driving Licence Photo Size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the photo size for Aadhaar card?
Aadhaar photo size is 413×531 pixels, maximum 50KB, JPG format. Face should cover 70–80% of the frame with a light background.
What is the photo size for passport in India?
Indian passport photos are 35mm × 45mm (2 inch × 2 inch), typically 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI, white background, max 1MB.
How to resize photo for UPSC application?
UPSC requires approximately 3.5cm × 4.5cm, max 300KB JPG. Use Photo Resizer with government exam preset or custom dimensions.
How to compress PDF for government portal?
Use PDF Compress with 70–80% compression for portal uploads. Most Indian government portals accept PDFs under 1–2MB.
How to calculate age for government forms?
Government forms use age as on a specific cutoff date (e.g., 1st August for UPSC). Use Age Calculator with your DOB and the cutoff date.