Indian Passport Photo

Last update: 4/7/2026

Written bySandra

Expert verified

Important Details When Taking an Indian Passport Photo

Applying for an Indian passport through the Passport Seva portal? The photo upload is the single most common point of failure in the application process. Unlike Indian visa or OCI applications, the Passport Seva portal requires a very specific non-square image size: exactly 630x810 pixels (35x45mm). Uploading the wrong dimensions, even by a single pixel, will cause an instant rejection. This guide covers every specification you need to get it right.

Indian Passport Photo Requirements We Comply With:

• Size & Dimensions: The digital photo must be exactly 630 x 810 pixels (width x height), equivalent to 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm) at 200+ DPI. This is a non-square aspect ratio (7:9), which is different from the 1:1 square format used for Indian e-Visas and OCI applications.

• File Format & Size: JPEG (.jpg) format only. The file must be under 250 KB (the portal rejects anything larger). Minimum file size is approximately 10 KB.

• Background: Plain white only. No off-white, no cream, no light grey. The Passport Seva portal's automated checker is strict about background uniformity, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or gradients.

• Face Coverage: Your face must fill 80-85% of the frame, showing a close-up of the head and top of the shoulders. The full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin must be visible, with the head centered and straight.

• Expression & Pose: Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. Look directly at the camera with no head tilt. Both ears should be visible when possible.

• Glasses: Not permitted as of September 2025 ICAO enforcement. Remove all eyeglasses, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. No exceptions unless you have a documented medical condition.

• Headgear: Head coverings are allowed only for religious reasons. The full face from forehead to chin and both edges of the face must remain clearly visible.

• Recency: The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance.

• No Digital Alteration: Photos must not be altered, retouched, or enhanced by any software. Filters, beauty modes, and AI smoothing are all grounds for rejection.

• Attire: Wear dark-coloured clothing that contrasts with the white background. Avoid white or very light-coloured tops.

Passport Seva vs. e-Visa vs. OCI: Don't Confuse the Specs

This is the most common source of confusion. Indian passport, e-Visa, and OCI applications each have completely different photo specifications. A photo prepared for one will almost certainly be rejected by the others.

For e-Visa photo requirements, see Indian Visa Photo Requirements. For OCI card photo requirements, see Indian OCI Photo Requirements.

ICAO Compliance: Mandatory Since September 2025

As of 1 September 2025, all Indian passport applications, whether submitted domestically through Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) or through embassies and consulates abroad, must include photos that meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. This applies to fresh applications, renewals, and reissues, regardless of the applicant's age.

Key ICAO requirements enforced by the portal:

• Even, shadow-free lighting across the entire face
• No reflections, red-eye, or unnatural colour tones
• Face positioned in the centre of the frame with both eyes at the same horizontal level
• Neutral expression with natural skin tones (no filters or beauty modes)
• Background must be uniformly white with no visible objects or shadows

Applications with non-compliant photos are now rejected outright at the portal upload stage, rather than being flagged for manual review as was previously the case.

Digital Upload vs. Physical Submission

• Online Application (Passport Seva Portal): Upload a JPEG image at exactly 630 x 810 pixels, under 250 KB. You must also upload a digital signature image separately (140 x 60 pixels, JPEG, under 250 KB). Both uploads are validated by automated checks before the application can proceed.

• Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Visit: If you apply in person at a PSK or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in India, the centre typically captures your photo on-site using ICAO-compliant equipment. You generally do not need to bring printed photos for domestic applications.

• Embassy / Consulate / BLS Submission (Abroad): NRIs applying through Indian embassies, consulates, or BLS International centres must submit two identical printed photos sized 35 x 45 mm on glossy photo-quality paper, in addition to the digital upload. BLS centres have trained staff to verify ICAO compliance on the spot.

CKGS Photo Requirements (US Applicants)

If you are an Indian citizen residing in the United States and need to renew your passport, your application is not processed directly by the Indian consulate. Instead, all US-based Indian passport services are routed through Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS), the exclusive contracted service provider for the Embassy of India and its consulates in Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. CKGS enforces the same 630 × 810 pixel digital specification as Passport Seva, but adds its own photo-handling rules that catch many applicants off guard.

What CKGS requires beyond the standard Passport Seva spec:

• Two identical physical prints, sized exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) on glossy photo paper, for the printed application package. Note that this is the US passport size, not the 35 × 45 mm Passport Seva print size — CKGS is the one Indian-passport application channel that uses 2 × 2 inch prints because it operates within the US.
• One digital upload through the CKGS online portal at the standard Passport Seva spec: 630 × 810 pixels, JPEG, under 250 KB.
• No staples, no tape, no paper clips on the printed photos. CKGS routinely returns applications where photos have been damaged by attempted attachment.
• Photos placed in a small envelope or plastic sleeve and clipped lightly to the application form.

Common reasons CKGS returns Indian passport applications for photo issues:

1. Submitting 35 × 45 mm prints instead of 2 × 2 inch prints. Applicants familiar with the Passport Seva print size assume the same applies in the US — it does not.
2. Background not pure white. CKGS is stricter than Passport Seva on background color and rejects off-white, cream, and shadowed-white photos that the portal would have accepted.
3. Glasses worn in the photo. Since the September 2025 ICAO enforcement, CKGS rejects all photos showing glasses, including those with no glare.
4. Digital upload over 250 KB. Many applicants submit a high-resolution photo that meets the 630 × 810 dimension requirement but exceeds the 250 KB file size limit, causing the CKGS portal to reject the upload.
5. Photos older than 6 months. CKGS verifies recency at submission and at the in-person biometric appointment. If your appearance has changed, the photo will be flagged.

How to avoid a CKGS rejection:

The safest way to handle CKGS is to prepare both formats in a single session: a digital JPEG at 630 × 810 pixels for the online upload, and 2 × 2 inch physical prints for the package. Snap2Pass generates both formats from one photo, validated against ICAO, Passport Seva, and US 2 × 2 inch specifications simultaneously — so you do not need to take separate photos for the digital and print parts of the same application.

If CKGS has already returned your application for a photo issue, the rejection notice usually specifies which problem was found. Compare it against the list above before retaking — you may be able to fix it with the same photo session by changing the print size or the file compression.

OCI Card Photo: Different Rules

If you are also applying for or renewing an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card alongside your Indian passport, the OCI photo has completely different requirements — square format, 200 × 200 to 1500 × 1500 pixels, light-colored background (not pure white), and a separate signature image with a 1:3 aspect ratio. See the dedicated Indian OCI Card Photo Requirements guide for the full OCI specification.

For the e-Visa photo specification, see Indian Visa Photo Requirements.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections

1. Wrong pixel dimensions -- Uploading a 2x2 inch (square) photo instead of the required 630x810 (rectangular) format. This is the single most reported issue.
2. File too large -- Photos from modern phone cameras often exceed 250 KB. Compress the JPEG without reducing dimensions below 630x810.
3. Wearing glasses -- Automatic rejection since September 2025 ICAO enforcement, even without visible glare.
4. Shadows on background or face -- The portal's automated system flags any shadow, including subtle ones behind the ears or under the chin.
5. White clothing blending into background -- Wear dark-coloured clothing to ensure clear separation between your shoulders and the white background.
6. Face too small in frame -- Face must cover 80-85% of the photo. Many selfies and arm's-length photos result in too much background.
7. Photo older than 6 months -- If your appearance has changed (new hairstyle, facial hair, weight change), the photo may be flagged during verification at the PSK.
8. Beauty filters or AI enhancement -- Any detectable digital alteration causes rejection under ICAO rules.

Conclusion

The 630x810 pixel requirement is unique to the Passport Seva portal and catches many applicants off guard, especially those familiar with the square format used for Indian visas and OCI cards. Our tool automatically formats your photo to the exact Passport Seva specification, validates it against all ICAO requirements, and ensures a compliant upload, so you can submit your application with confidence.