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GuideMay 15, 20266 min read

UPSC Photo & Signature Size — Complete Upload Guide (2026)

UPSC photo and signature size requirements for CSE, CAPF, CDS, NDA. Exact dimensions, file size in KB, and free tools to resize and compress for UPSC applications.

UPSC Photo & Signature Size — Complete Upload Guide (2026)
MinifyPic TeamImage Optimization Experts

UPSC Photo Upload Requirements

ParameterRequirement
File FormatJPEG only
Dimensions150 × 200 pixels (width × height)
File Size20KB – 300KB
BackgroundPlain white or light-colored
RecencyWithin last 6 months

UPSC Signature Upload Requirements

ParameterRequirement
File FormatJPEG only
Dimensions150 × 80 pixels (width × height)
File Size10KB – 200KB
BackgroundPlain white paper
Ink ColorBlack or dark blue

Prepare Your Photo — 3 Steps

Step 1: Take a photo against a white background using your phone's rear camera.

Step 2: Open MinifyPic's Image Resizer and set dimensions to 150 × 200 pixels.

Step 3: If file size exceeds 300KB, use Compress to Size targeting 100KB.


Prepare Your Signature — 4 Steps

Step 1: Sign on clean white paper using a black pen.

Step 2: Photograph the signature with good lighting.

Step 3: Crop tightly using Image Cropper, then resize to 150 × 80 pixels.

Step 4: Compress to 15KB using Compress to Size.


Exam-Specific Variations

ExamPhotoSignature
CSE (Civil Services)150×200 px, 20-300KB150×80 px, 10-200KB
CAPF150×200 px, 20-300KB150×80 px, 10-200KB
CDS150×200 px, 20-300KB150×80 px, 10-200KB
NDA150×200 px, 20-300KB150×80 px, 10-200KB

Common Errors & Fixes

ErrorFix
"Invalid file format"Convert to JPEG using the Format Converter
"File size too large"Use Compress to Size
"Invalid dimensions"Use Image Resizer with exact dimensions
"Image not clear"Retake in better lighting with rear camera

FAQ

Q: Can I use a selfie for UPSC application? A: Not recommended. Selfie cameras produce lower quality and slightly distorted proportions. Use the rear camera.

Q: Are specifications the same for Prelims and Mains? A: Yes, the same photo and signature are used for both stages.

Q: My photo keeps getting rejected. What should I do? A: Verify with Image Size Finder: (1) format is JPEG, (2) dimensions are exactly 150×200 px, (3) file size is 20-300KB.