UPSC photo & signature size rules

For the Civil Services and other UPSC online applications.

UPSC is strict about photos and signatures, and its rules differ from most other exams - especially the triple signature. These are the requirements as published for recent UPSC applications:

UploadRulesFile size
PhotographRecent colour photo, plain white background, face covering at least 3/4 of the photo, both ears visible20–200 KB, JPG
SignatureSign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, all three in one image (about 350–500 px)20–100 KB, JPG

Check the instructions on upsconline.nic.in and your exam notification before uploading - they are the final word.

Getting the photo right

  1. Take a fresh photo against a plain white wall, looking straight at the camera, with even light and no shadows.
  2. Crop it so your face fills at least three quarters of the picture - use Resize & Crop Image.
  3. Bring the file between 20 and 200 KB with Compress Image - type a target such as 100 KB.

The triple signature

  1. On a plain white sheet (no lines), sign three times in black ink, one signature below the other - not side by side.
  2. Photograph or scan the sheet in good light and crop it so only the three signatures remain.
  3. Open the Photo & Signature Resizer, choose "My own size", enter the pixel size and 20–100 KB, tick "Clean the paper", and download.

Blue ink, ruled or coloured paper, or signatures placed side by side are common reasons for rejection.

Prepare your UPSC photo and signature — free

Crop, compress and clean the scan, in your browser.

Open the resizer

Other exams: photo & signature size for all exams.

Frequently asked questions

A JPG between 20 KB and 200 KB, recent, in colour, on a plain white background, with your face covering at least three quarters of the photo.

Three signatures, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, scanned together as one image between 20 KB and 100 KB.

The published rules ask for black ink. Check the current instructions on upsconline.nic.in before signing.