UPSC CSE Photo: 35mm × 45mm, JPEG, max 300KB, white background. Signature: 35mm × 15mm, JPEG, max 300KB. Use our free resizer tool to get the correct size instantly.
UPSC CSE Photo Specifications 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has strict requirements for photographs in the Civil Services Examination (CSE). A photo that doesn't meet the exact specifications will be rejected during the online application process.
Here are the complete official specifications for the UPSC CSE 2026 photograph:
| 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 |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Guideline |
| Glasses | Not recommended | Avoid |
UPSC CSE Signature Specifications 2026
Your OTPR profile also needs a scanned signature on file, with its own separate specifications:
| 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 — no printed name |
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Open UPSC CSE Resizer →How to Take the Perfect UPSC CSE Photo
UPSC runs on a One Time Registration (OTPR) system — you upload your photo and signature just once, and that same photo then represents you through Prelims, Mains, and, if you clear both, the Personality Test, often more than a year later. Unlike exams where a fresh photo is uploaded at every stage, your OTPR photo doesn't get replaced along the way, so getting it right the first time matters more here than in most other exams.
Do's
- Choose a photo you'd be comfortable being represented by for well over a year — from Prelims through to a possible Personality Test
- Make sure the photo is genuinely recent at the time you first complete OTPR, since it won't be swapped out again for each stage
- Take the photo against a plain white or off-white wall or background
- Face the camera directly, both ears visible, no side angles
- Wear formal clothing similar to what you'd wear to the interview board — no sleeveless tops
- Ensure even, shadow-free lighting on your face
- Keep a neutral expression with mouth closed
Don'ts
- Don't treat OTPR as a throwaway step — this single photo carries through every stage of the exam, including a candidate's first impression before the interview board
- Don't wear sunglasses, tinted glasses, or headgear (exceptions for religious reasons)
- Don't use a heavily filtered or retouched photo
- Don't upload an old photo just to get through registration quickly — you'll be living with it for the entire cycle
- Don't scan a printed photo from an old ID card — start from a fresh digital photo
- Don't crop yourself out of a group photo — take an individual one instead
Because your OTPR photo isn't re-uploaded at each stage, many candidates don't think carefully enough about the one photo they register — and end up stuck with it through Prelims, Mains, and the interview. Beyond that, the standard rejection cause still applies: a grey or off-white studio background that appears fine to the eye but reads as non-white to the portal's automated validator. Always use a pure white (#ffffff) background — our tool lets you set that exactly.
How to Resize Your Photo to UPSC CSE Specifications
Open the resizer with UPSC CSE's specifications already pre-loaded — upload your photo, crop it if needed, and download once the Form Readiness panel turns green. Since this photo carries through your entire OTPR profile, it's worth double-checking the readiness panel carefully before saving it as your registered photo. For a full walkthrough of the tool, see our step-by-step resizing guide.
What Pixel Dimensions Should UPSC CSE Photo Be?
The UPSC notification specifies the dimensions in millimetres (35mm × 45mm), but photo portals 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. If the UPSC portal specifically asks for a higher DPI, contact us and we'll help.
UPSC CSE 2026 — Other Important Notes
- Because your OTPR photo isn't re-uploaded at each stage, save the original resized file somewhere permanent — you may need it again during document verification or the Personality Test, long after Prelims
- Bring physical printed copies of this same photo to the exam centre and, later, to the Personality Test
- UPSC's OTPR portal validates dimensions and file size automatically at upload — if it fails, fix and re-check before proceeding
- If you're updating your OTPR profile for a fresh attempt, check whether UPSC requires you to re-confirm or replace your photo before the new application opens
Exam specifications may change with each new notification. Always cross-check with the latest official UPSC CSE notification on upsc.gov.in before submitting your application. SarkariKagaz.pro is not affiliated with the Union Public Service Commission.
UPSC फोटो साइज़ — हिंदी में जानकारी
बहुत से उम्मीदवार पूछते हैं — UPSC सिविल सेवा परीक्षा के लिए फोटो साइज़ कितना होना चाहिए? जवाब 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 ज़रूरी है।
सिग्नेचर का साइज़ 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।