India Passport Photo Size & Requirements

Photo Size & Specifications

Indian passport photos use a 51×51mm (2×2 inch) square format — the same size as US passport photos. The face must occupy 70% to 80% of the frame, measured from chin to the crown of the head, which translates to approximately 35-40mm of face height. This is one of the most commonly miscalculated measurements when taking photos at home.

For online applications through the Passport Seva portal, the digital requirements are strict: 350×350 to 1000×1000 pixels, JPEG format only, and file size between 20KB and 200KB. The portal's automated validation rejects files outside these bounds instantly — no error message explains why, which frustrates many applicants. Photos taken with modern smartphones typically exceed the resolution range, so you'll need to resize and compress.

The background must be plain white — not off-white, cream, or light gray. Photos must be recent (within the last 3 months), printed on matte or glossy photo paper for physical submission, and the face must be evenly lit with no shadows on the face or background.

Source: Passport Seva — Photo Requirements

Common Mistakes That Get Photos Rejected

Passport Seva upload failures are the most frustrating issue. The portal silently rejects photos without a clear error message. In most cases, the file is either too large (over 200KB — common with smartphone photos), wrong format (PNG instead of JPEG), or the resolution is outside the 350-1000px range. If your upload keeps failing, check the file size first — compress the JPEG until it's under 200KB while keeping it above 20KB.

Background issues are the #1 rejection reason at PSK counters. Even slightly off-white backgrounds get flagged. If you're taking the photo at home, stand in front of a white wall but be aware that yellowish indoor lighting (common with incandescent bulbs in India) can make white appear cream. Studio-quality white requires either daylight or proper flash — or simply let our tool replace the background with pure white automatically.

Incorrect face size is another common problem. Too close (face fills more than 80%) or too far (face is less than 70%) results in rejection. Photo booth machines at PSKs sometimes crop poorly. Our AI automatically adjusts the cropping so your face meets the exact 70-80% requirement.

Other common rejections include: shadows on the face or background (especially from overhead tube lights), glasses with glare on lenses, beauty filters or skin-smoothing edits, photos that are too old (over 3 months), low resolution or blurry images, and hair covering the forehead or eyes. For photos of children, the infant must face the camera with eyes open — this alone causes many re-submissions.

Where to Get Your Indian Passport Photo

Photo studios near PSKs are the traditional choice. Every Passport Seva Kendra has a cluster of photo shops nearby — they know the exact requirements and charge ₹100-300 for a set of printed photos. In metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, some studios charge ₹300-500. Quality is generally reliable, but you need to visit in person, sometimes wait in queue, and the digital file they provide may not meet Passport Seva's upload specs (wrong pixel size or file format).

PSK photo booths inside Passport Seva Kendras charge ₹50-100 and take photos on the spot. They're convenient if you're already at the PSK, but the quality can be inconsistent — poor lighting, rushed positioning, and no retakes. If the photo is rejected at the counter, you'll need to pay again.

Online tools like ours cost approximately ₹85 (about $1) and work from your smartphone. Take a photo at home, upload it, and the AI handles background removal, face positioning, and cropping to exact specifications. You get both a digital file (optimized for Passport Seva upload — correct pixel range, JPEG, under 200KB) and a printable 4×6 sheet with 6 photos. No appointment, no travel, unlimited retakes until you're satisfied.

See a detailed breakdown at India Passport Photo Price Comparison.

How to Create Your Photo Online & Upload to Passport Seva

Creating a compliant passport photo from your smartphone takes about 3 minutes. All you need is your phone camera and a reasonably lit space — no white backdrop required, since our AI handles the background.

Step 1: Take a selfie or have someone photograph you. Stand facing the camera in a well-lit area. Natural daylight from a window works best. Keep your face centered, look directly at the camera, maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed, and ensure both ears are visible. Don't worry about the background — any solid color or even a cluttered room works.

Step 2: Upload and let AI process your photo. Our system automatically removes the background and replaces it with pure white, detects your face and positions it to meet the 70-80% coverage requirement, crops to the exact 51×51mm ratio, and optimizes the file to meet Passport Seva's specs (JPEG, 350-1000px, 20-200KB).

Step 3: Download and use. You receive two files: a single digital photo optimized for Passport Seva upload, and a 4×6 inch printable sheet with 6 photos for physical submission. Upload the digital version to the Passport Seva portal under "Upload Photo" during your application, and print the sheet at any local photo shop or kiosk for ₹10-30.

Passport Seva upload tip: When uploading to passportindia.gov.in, the portal accepts JPEG files between 20KB-200KB. If you see a generic "upload failed" error, it's almost always a file-size issue. Our tool pre-optimizes the output to fit within these limits, so you can upload directly without additional compression.

OCI Card, PAN Card & Aadhaar Photo Requirements

OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards require the same 51×51mm (2×2 inch) photo with white background — identical to Indian passport specs. If you're applying for both a passport and OCI card, the same photo works for both. OCI applications are processed through Indian missions abroad via VFS Global or BLS International, depending on your country. See our dedicated guides for OCI photo requirements in USA and OCI photo requirements in UK.

PAN card photos use a different size — 25×35mm (approximately 1×1.4 inches). You cannot use a passport photo for PAN card applications. If you need a PAN card photo, see our PAN card application guide.

Aadhaar photos are captured at enrollment centers, but if you're updating your photo online, the digital requirements are different: JPEG format, under 50KB, specific pixel dimensions. Our Aadhaar photo guide covers the exact specs and how to compress your photo to meet them.

For NRIs: Passport Photos from Abroad

If you're renewing your Indian passport from outside India, the photo requirements are the same 51×51mm specs — but the process differs. Indian passport services abroad are handled by VFS Global or BLS International, depending on the country. Both accept photos that meet standard Indian passport specifications.

In the USA, you can get Indian passport photos at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart — ask for "2×2 inch passport photos" since they're the same size as US passport photos. However, these stores charge $12-17 per set. Using our online tool costs $1 and gives you a file you can print anywhere. See our full guide on Indian passport renewal in the USA.

In the UK and other countries, local photo studios may not be familiar with Indian passport specs. The safest approach is to use our online tool to create a photo that meets exact Indian requirements, then print it locally. For visa photos going the other direction — applying for visas from India — see our guides for US visa photos, UK visa photos, Schengen visa photos, and Canada visa photos from India.

Where to Print Passport Photos in India

After creating your digital photo, you'll need physical prints for your PSK appointment. India has photo printing options everywhere — from neighborhood photo shops to internet cafés.

Local photo shops are the most common option. Nearly every market area has a shop that prints photos. Ask for a 4×6 inch print of your photo sheet — it costs ₹10-30 and takes 2-5 minutes. The shop will print all 6 passport photos on one sheet; cut them apart with scissors at home.

Internet cafés and stationery shops with photo printers also work. Send the file via WhatsApp or email, and they'll print it for ₹15-40. Just make sure they print on glossy photo paper, not regular printer paper — the ink quality on regular paper won't meet PSK standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Indian passport photos, Passport Seva upload issues, and OCI card photos. If you don't find your answer here, feel free to contact us.