Official Photo & Signature Specifications for JEE, NEET, GATE, UPSC & SSC
Every year, over 150,000 application forms for competitive Indian entrance examinations are delayed or rejected during document scrutiny due to non-compliant photograph dimensions, incorrect file size in kilobytes, distorted aspect ratios, or blurred candidate signatures.
Unlike ordinary image resizers that blindly scale pixels and destroy clarity, our engine uses sub-pixel spatial interpolation coupled with a binary-search JPEG quantization optimizer to maintain razor-sharp facial features while strictly adhering to NTA, IIT, and commission file weight brackets.
Official Exam Specification Reference Matrix (2026 Guidelines)
| Exam / Commission | Document Type | Dimensions (cm / mm) | Pixel Resolution (at 300/200 DPI) | File Size Limit | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTA JEE Main | Passport Photo | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) | 10 KB – 200 KB | 80% face coverage, white background, visible ears. |
| NTA JEE Main | Signature | 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm | 413 × 177 px (300 DPI) | 4 KB – 30 KB | Black or blue ink on clean unlined white sheet. |
| NEET UG | Passport Photo | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px | 10 KB – 200 KB | White background, candidate name + date of photo. |
| NEET UG | Postcard Photo | 4 inch × 6 inch (10×15 cm) | 1200 × 1800 px | 10 KB – 200 KB | Full face view, identical to passport photo. |
| GATE (IIT / IISc) | Candidate Photo | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm | Min 480×640 px; Max 1600×2133 px | 20 KB – 200 KB | 60–70% face area, white or light background. |
| GATE (IIT / IISc) | Signature | 2.0 cm × 7.0 cm | Min 160×560 px; Max 480×1680 px | 10 KB – 100 KB | Black/dark blue ink, unbordered, strictly < 100 KB. |
| UPSC (CSE / NDA) | Passport Photo | Square (1:1 Ratio) | 350 × 350 px to 1000 × 1000 px | 20 KB – 300 KB | Must not be older than 10 days; Name & Date required. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL) | Photo & Signature | 3.5×4.5 cm (Photo) / 4×2 cm (Sig) | 100×120 px to 350×450 px | Photo: 20–50 KB / Sig: 10–20 KB | Spectacles must be removed; neutral expression. |
Top 5 Reasons Why Candidate Photos Get Rejected by NTA & IITs
- File Size Below or Above Strict Thresholds: NTA servers automatically validate HTTP file headers on upload. If your file is 9.8 KB when the minimum is 10 KB, or 204 KB when the ceiling is 200 KB, the portal will immediately trigger an error. Our tool ensures your image lands right in the safe sweet spot (e.g. 40 KB – 60 KB).
- Colored, Patterned, or Outdoor Backgrounds: Red, blue, green, and selfie backgrounds are prohibited by NTA and IITs. The background must be pure white or very light grey.
- Face Coverage Below 80%: Full-body, waist-up, or distant portraits fail the facial recognition checks. The head must occupy 70% to 80% of the vertical frame height, from chin to crown.
- Wearing Eyeglasses with Lens Glare or Tint: Even prescription glasses often cause flash glare, concealing candidate pupils. NTA guidelines explicitly recommend removing spectacles during the photograph session.
- Aspect Ratio Distortion: Forcing a rectangular image into a square canvas without proper cropping causes the face to appear stretched horizontally or squashed vertically. Our interactive cropper locks the exact aspect ratio to prevent geometry warping.
How to Add Candidate Name and Date of Photo (DOPO)
Certain exams (including NEET UG and recent UPSC notifications) mandate that the candidate's name and the date on which the photograph was captured be clearly printed in black capital letters on a white rectangular strip at the base of the photograph.
Instead of wrestling with Photoshop or MS Paint, simply toggle our "Add Name & Date Stamp" feature above, enter your official name and date, and our engine automatically renders crisp, standardized typography aligned to official guidelines.