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India UPSC examination application photo requirements

The photo rules set by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the India UPSC examination application photo, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 4 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the India UPSC examination application photo requirements?

For UPSC exams you upload a recent photograph and capture a live photograph in the Common Application Form on upsconline.nic.in, and upload a signature written three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper. UPSC's newest notice accepts .jpg files of 20 KB to 300 KB, while its portal instructions give 20 to 200 KB for the photo, a plain white background and a face covering three-quarters of the photo.

The current Civil Services notice is Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, dated 4 February 2026. UPSC had not published the Civil Services 2027 notice when the source page was checked in October 2026. The newest notice read, for the Engineering Services Examination 2027 (No. 02/2027-ENGG., 16 September 2026), repeats the same photo and signature notes.

UPSC publishes a separate notice for every examination and can change the photo rules from one cycle to the next. Read the photo and signature notes in the latest notice for your exam on upsc.gov.in and the Instructions and FAQs on upsconline.nic.in.

India UPSC examination application photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):[1]

Digital sizeSignature image dimensions 350 to 500 pixels (portal instructions)
Head heightFace covers at least three-quarters (75%) of the photo, looking straight at the camera, with both ears visible
BackgroundPlain white, with no shadows
Photo ageRecent. The Engineering Services 2026 notice (26 September 2025) said not more than 10 days old from the start of the online application
File sizePhoto: 20 KB to 200 KB (portal instructions); at least 20 KB and no more than 300 KB each for photo and signature (recent notices)
File format.jpg, photo saved with the file name "photo"

Key requirements

  • Eyes

    Open, not covered by hair, with no glare on glasses.

  • Not allowed

    Dark or coloured glasses, a dark background, uniform, or a signature on the photo.

  • Appearance

    Earlier notices say your appearance must match the photo at every stage, including beard, moustache and spectacles.

  • Live photograph

    You upload a photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling in the Common Application Form; both must be clear. The portal instructions say the live photo can be taken with your device's webcam or on a mobile phone by scanning a QR code, in good light with your face clearly visible. It is matched with your uploaded photo, and if they do not match you cannot continue with the application.

  • Signature

    Sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper in black ink, leaving a clear gap between signatures, and upload one scan of all three as one image. Use plain white paper with no lines and keep the scan sharp and upright. Save as a .jpg named "signature", 20 KB to 100 KB, with image dimensions of 350 to 500 pixels. Files that do not meet these rules can be rejected.

  • File size differences

    The Engineering Services 2027 notice says each file should be between 20 KB and 300 KB, while the portal instructions say 20 to 200 KB for the photo and 20 to 100 KB for the signature. The source page could not open the current copy of the portal instructions, so check them on the portal.

  • Face authentication at the venue

    The Civil Services 2026 notice says all candidates must undergo face authentication at the examination venue. Carry the photo ID card whose details you entered in your Universal Registration Number (URN) profile, such as Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, passport or driving licence.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a plain white background and even light
  • Look straight at the camera with both ears visible
  • Frame the photo so your face covers about three-quarters of it
  • Sign three times in black ink on plain white paper
  • Check the latest notice for your exam

Don't

  • Do not wear dark or coloured glasses
  • Do not use a dark background
  • Do not wear a uniform in the photo
  • Do not put a signature on the photo
  • Do not allow glare on glasses or hair over the eyes

Glasses

Photos with eyes hidden behind dark or coloured glasses are not accepted, and glare on glasses should be avoided. Earlier notices say your appearance must match your photo at every stage, including spectacles, so if you wear glasses in the photo, wear them at the exam and interview too.

Digital upload only (.jpg files) plus a live photograph captured in the form. No print size is given.

Where to submit the photo

Online, in the Common Application Form on upsconline.nic.in.

How to get your India UPSC examination application photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the India UPSC examination application photo: plain white background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: eyes; not allowed; appearance; live photograph.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Digital upload only (.jpg files) plus a live photograph captured in the form. No print size is given.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Online, in the Common Application Form on upsconline.nic.in.

India UPSC examination application photo FAQ

UPSC sets file rules rather than a print size. Recent notices, such as the Engineering Services Examination 2027 notice of 16 September 2026, ask for the photo and signature as .jpg files of at least 20 KB and no more than 300 KB each. UPSC's upload instructions on the portal give a tighter 20 KB to 200 KB for the photo, so a file in that range meets both.

The Engineering Services 2026 notice of 26 September 2025 said the uploaded photo should be not more than 10 days old from the start of the online application. The Civil Services 2026 notice points you to the portal instructions instead, so take a fresh photo for each application to be safe.

UPSC's current notices say you must upload a photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling in the Common Application Form on upsconline.nic.in. The portal instructions say you can use the webcam of your device or scan a QR code to capture it on a mobile phone, and that the live photo is matched with your uploaded photo.

Sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper in black ink, leaving space between the signatures, and upload one scan of all three. UPSC's portal instructions ask for a .jpg file named "signature".

UPSC's portal instructions say photos with eyes hidden behind dark or coloured glasses are not accepted, and glare on glasses should be avoided. Earlier notices add that your appearance must match your photo at every stage, including spectacles, beard and moustache.

The Civil Services 2026 notice says all candidates must undergo face authentication at the examination venue. Arrive early, carry the photo ID card you entered in your URN profile, and make sure you look like your uploaded photo.

Related photo specifications

Other India documents

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Official sources

  1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Civil Services Examination 2026, Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026 (PDF) upsc.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Engineering Services Examination 2027, Notice No. 02/2027-ENGG., 16 September 2026 (PDF) upsc.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Engineering Services Examination 2026, Notice No. 02/2026 ENGG., 26 September 2025 (PDF) upsc.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). UPSC online application portal upsconline.nic.in. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"India UPSC examination application photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/india/upsc-photo

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