Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) photo and signature requirements
UPSC's One Time Registration (OTR) FAQ gives one specification for both the photograph and the signature: scanned as JPG/JPEG, each between 20 KB and 300 KB, with a resolution of at least 350 × 350 pixels and at most 1000 × 1000 pixels. It adds that both images must be clearly discernible and that the signature should be on white paper, preferably in black ink. A photo ID card (Aadhaar, voter card, PAN, passport, driving licence and so on) is also uploaded, as JPG/JPEG or PDF of 20–300 KB.
Be aware that UPSC currently publishes two sets of numbers. The FAQ page above carries no date. The 'Instructions for uploading the photo and signature' PDF on the new application platform, which the Civil Services Examination 2026 notification points to, is stricter: a photo of 20–200 KB with the face covering at least 75% of the frame, and a signature of 20–100 KB at 350–500 pixels, signed three times. If you are applying to an examination on that platform, follow our UPSC CSE 2026 page; use this page for the OTR FAQ limits.
The checkers below are set to the FAQ limits and can resize or compress a file to fit. They verify file size, pixel dimensions and format only — not whether the image is clearly discernible, the ink colour, or whether UPSC will accept the upload.
Official source: upsconline.gov.in — UPSC OTR FAQ (FAQ 43, 44 and 47)
Application window: OTR is open year-round; CSE Prelims application typically February (2026: 04.02.2026–24.02.2026)
Official source checked on 2026-08-24. This records when we compared our summary to the linked official page — not when the tool was QA-tested. Requirements can change; always confirm the current rules on the official page before you apply.
Reviewed by the ExactPic Editorial Team against the official source above. See how we verify requirements.
Specifications
- File format
- JPG/JPEG
- File size
- Not less than 20 KB and not more than 300 KB
- Minimum resolution
- 350 px (width) × 350 px (height)
- Maximum resolution
- 1000 px (width) × 1000 px (height)
- Quality
- Photograph and signature must be clearly discernible
Every value in this table is summarized from upsconline.gov.in — UPSC OTR FAQ (FAQ 43, 44 and 47) (Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)), checked 2026-08-24. Confirm the current values on the official page before you apply.
Check and fix your photo
The tool below is set to the official digital limits. Drop your photo in to check it and download a version that fits.
Set to the OTR FAQ limits: JPG/JPEG, 20–300 KB, 350–1000 px on each side. The FAQ gives a range rather than a fixed shape, so no aspect ratio is enforced. Fix mode scales a larger photo down to fit within 1000 px and compresses under 300 KB; a file under 20 KB is not padded up.
Drop an image here, or click to browse
JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC (Safari/iOS only) — or paste / take a photo
Publishers: embed this checker on your site with one iframe.
- Auto-checked and fixable
- File size, pixel dimensions, and file format.
- You must verify yourself
- Head size and position, background, lighting, expression, and colour profile — the tool cannot judge these.
Check and fix your signature
The FAQ applies the same limits to the signature as to the photograph, and adds a paper-and-ink recommendation.
- File format
- JPG/JPEG
- File size
- Not less than 20 KB and not more than 300 KB
- Resolution
- 350 × 350 px minimum to 1000 × 1000 px maximum
- Paper and ink
- Affixed on white paper, preferably with a black ink pen for better visibility
The tool below is set to the official limits for this file. Drop it in to check it and download a version that fits.
Drop an image here, or click to browse
JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC (Safari/iOS only) — or paste / take a photo
Publishers: embed this checker on your site with one iframe.
- Auto-checked and fixable
- File size, pixel dimensions, and file format.
- You must verify yourself
- Legibility, ink colour, orientation, how much of the frame the content fills, and the paper background — the tool cannot judge these.
Same limits as the photo. A signature scanned as a wide strip may fall under the 350 px minimum height — scan the whole signature area with some margin rather than cropping to a thin line, and note that the 20 KB floor is not padded.
Photo ID card
OTR also asks for a scan of a photo ID (Aadhaar, voter card, PAN, passport, driving licence or similar).
- File format
- JPG/JPEG or PDF
- File size
- 20 KB to 300 KB
- Dimensions
- None stated
No pixel size is stated for the ID scan. A JPG scan can be checked against the 20–300 KB band with the generic form photo checker; a PDF cannot be checked here.
Compliance note. This checks mechanical file requirements only — file size, pixel dimensions, aspect ratio and format. It does not check face coverage, background, ink colour, legibility, the number of signatures, or whether the examination or recruitment portal will accept your upload.
Reviewed by ExactPic editorial against the official source on 2026-08-24. Spotted something out of date or wrong? Report an incorrect requirement.
Step by step
Check which specification applies to you
OTR FAQ: 20–300 KB and 350–1000 px. Examinations on the new application platform (CSE 2026): photo 20–200 KB, signature 20–100 KB at 350–500 px signed three times — see our UPSC CSE 2026 page.
Prepare the photo and signature
Scan the signature from white paper, preferably in black ink. Both images must be clearly discernible.
Check and fix below
Each checker confirms JPG/JPEG, 20–300 KB and the 350–1000 px range, and can resize or compress a file that is too large.
Upload in OTR
Upload the photo, signature and a 20–300 KB scan of your photo ID (JPG/JPEG or PDF), then review the preview before submitting.
Private by design. Any file you check here is processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded. ExactPic is not affiliated with Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and does not guarantee acceptance — always follow the official guidance.
Source change log
- 2026-08-25 — Page created from the UPSC OTR FAQ (FAQ 43, 44 and 47) on upsconline.gov.in; cross-referenced to the CSE 2026 upload-instruction PDF, which gives different limits.
Other exam portals
Frequently asked questions
- What is the photo size for UPSC OTR?
- The OTR FAQ says JPG/JPEG, between 20 KB and 300 KB, at least 350 × 350 pixels and at most 1000 × 1000 pixels. The same limits apply to the signature.
- Is the UPSC OTR photo spec the same as the CSE 2026 upload instructions?
- No. The upload-instruction PDF on the new application platform, referenced by the CSE 2026 notification, asks for a photo of 20–200 KB with the face covering at least 75% of the frame, and a signature of 20–100 KB at 350–500 pixels signed three times. Follow the instructions of the examination you are applying to.
- What are the UPSC signature upload requirements?
- Under the OTR FAQ: JPG/JPEG, 20–300 KB, 350–1000 pixels on each side, signed on white paper, preferably with a black ink pen so it is clearly visible.
Keep going
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Passport photo maker
Crop to 2×2 inch, 35×45mm, and other passport presets in your browser.
How we verify requirements
Our sourcing, review cadence, and correction policy for government specs.
Official source checked: 2026-08-24