CDS/NDA Photo: 35mm × 45mm, JPEG, max 300KB, white or light-coloured background — via the UPSC OTPR portal. Signature: approx. 35mm × 15mm, JPEG, max 300KB. Use our free resizer tool to get the correct size instantly.
About CDS & NDA and the UPSC OTPR Portal
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is the route into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA). The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is the route for candidates entering after completing 12th grade. Both are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Here's a fact that trips up a lot of candidates: CDS and NDA are both filed through the same UPSC OTPR (One-Time Registration) portal that is also used for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Because the underlying registration system is shared, the photo and signature specification is identical across all three exams. Many candidates spend time searching for a "separate" CDS or NDA photo spec that simply doesn't exist — it's the same OTPR spec throughout.
CDS & NDA Photo Specifications 2026 (via OTPR)
Here are the complete specifications for the CDS and NDA 2026 photograph, as required by the UPSC OTPR portal:
| Parameter | Required Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph Type | Passport size, recent | Required |
| Dimensions | 35mm × 45mm (width × height) | Exact |
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only | Required |
| Maximum File Size | 300 KB | Strict |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured | Required |
| Photo Age | Recent (taken within 3 months) | Required |
| Face Coverage | 80% of the frame | Guideline |
| Glasses | Not recommended | Avoid |
CDS & NDA Signature Specifications 2026
Along with your photograph, the OTPR portal requires a scanned signature with its own separate requirements:
| Parameter | Required Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35mm × 15mm (width × height) |
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| Maximum File Size | 300 KB |
| Ink Colour | Black or dark blue on white paper |
| Background | Plain white paper |
| Content | Candidate's signature only |
Resize your CDS/NDA photo now — free
Since CDS and NDA share the same OTPR spec as UPSC Civil Services, use our existing UPSC CSE preset — it loads the identical dimensions and KB limit automatically.
Open UPSC OTPR Resizer →How to Take the Perfect CDS/NDA Photo
CDS and NDA don't stop at the written exam. Candidates who clear it move on to an SSB (Services Selection Board) interview that runs over several days and includes physical and medical standards testing — a level of in-person scrutiny most other exams on this site don't have. NDA in particular draws candidates straight out of school, often 16.5 to 19 years old, many filling out a competitive exam form for the first time. Both of these facts change what "getting the photo right" actually means here.
Do's
- Take the photo against a plain white or light-coloured background
- Face the camera directly, with both ears visible and no side angle — this is roughly the framing an SSB medical board will later compare you against in person
- If you're a school-age NDA applicant, ask a parent, guardian, or teacher to check the framing and lighting before you finalise the photo — a second pair of eyes helps on a first application
- Use a recent, school-appropriate photo rather than an old studio portrait taken for a different purpose
- Wear formal or semi-formal clothing — no sleeveless tops
- Ensure adequate, even lighting — no harsh shadows on your face
- Keep a neutral, natural expression with mouth closed
Don'ts
- Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
- Do not wear a cap, hat, or headgear (exceptions for religious reasons)
- Do not use a heavily edited or filtered photo — the SSB stage involves real, in-person verification, so an over-edited photo can work against you later
- Do not use a photo older than 3 months
- Do not reuse a scanned copy of an old ID card photo
- Do not crop someone else out of a group photo
Since CDS, NDA, and UPSC CSE all share the same OTPR spec, you don't need a separate photo for each if you're applying to more than one in the same cycle. But the photo you submit now also becomes the reference point months later at the SSB interview — several days of in-person and medical assessment — so a heavily filtered photo, or one that no longer looks like you by then, can draw extra questions. This matters even more for NDA applicants, many of whom are still in school; it's worth having a parent or guardian double-check the photo before you submit.
How to Resize Your Photo to CDS/NDA (OTPR) Specifications
Open the resizer with the OTPR photo specifications already pre-loaded — upload your photo, crop it if needed, and download once the Form Readiness panel turns green. If you're a school-age NDA applicant, it's worth having a parent or guardian double-check the result before you save it as your OTPR photo. For a full walkthrough of the tool, see our step-by-step resizing guide.
What Pixel Dimensions Should the CDS/NDA Photo Be?
The OTPR portal specifies the dimensions in millimetres (35mm × 45mm), but photo uploads work in pixels. The equivalent pixel dimensions depend on the resolution (DPI) used:
| Resolution | Pixel Width | Pixel Height |
|---|---|---|
| 96 DPI (standard screen) | 132 px | 170 px |
| 150 DPI (medium print) | 207 px | 266 px |
| 300 DPI (high quality print) | 413 px | 531 px |
Our tool uses 96 DPI by default, which is standard for web uploads. SarkariKagaz.pro automatically outputs the correct pixel dimensions for the OTPR preset, so you never need to calculate this yourself.
CDS/NDA 2026 — Other Important Notes
- Your OTPR profile photo carries forward across UPSC exams registered under the same profile — keep it updated and recent
- Bring printed copies of this same photo to the examination centre and, later, to the SSB interview if shortlisted
- The OTPR portal validates your photo automatically — if it fails, the error will appear immediately after upload
- Always download and save your resized photo in a clearly named folder before going to fill the form
Exam specifications may change with each new notification. Always cross-check with the latest official CDS/NDA notification on upsc.gov.in before submitting your application. SarkariKagaz.pro is not affiliated with UPSC or the Ministry of Defence.
CDS/NDA फोटो साइज़ — हिंदी में जानकारी
बहुत से उम्मीदवार पूछते हैं — CDS/NDA फोटो साइज़ कितना होना चाहिए? जवाब है: CDS और NDA दोनों में UPSC OTPR (One-Time Registration) पोर्टल की एक ही स्पेसिफिकेशन इस्तेमाल होती है — फोटो 35mm × 45mm साइज़ की, JPEG फॉर्मेट में होनी चाहिए, और फाइल साइज़ अधिकतम 300KB से ज़्यादा नहीं होना चाहिए। बैकग्राउंड सफ़ेद या हल्के रंग का होना चाहिए।
सिग्नेचर का साइज़ लगभग 35mm × 15mm होता है और अधिकतम फाइल साइज़ 300KB है। सिग्नेचर सफ़ेद कागज़ पर काली या नीली स्याही से बना होना चाहिए।
अगर आपकी फोटो या सिग्नेचर सही साइज़ में नहीं है, तो SarkariKagaz.pro का फ्री टूल इस्तेमाल करें — फोटो अपलोड करें और सही साइज़ में तुरंत डाउनलोड करें। यह टूल पूरी तरह मुफ़्त है और आपकी फोटो कभी भी किसी सर्वर पर अपलोड नहीं होती।