Photo and Signature Size for SSC, UPSC and IBPS Forms, and How to Resize Them for Free
Every online government job form asks for a photograph and a signature, and almost every portal wants them in a different size. A file that SSC accepts may be rejected by IBPS, and a photo that worked for a bank form may be too small for UPSC. This guide puts the official requirements of the three biggest central recruiters side by side, explains what "KB", "pixels" and "DPI" actually mean, and shows how to resize your images for free using tools already on your phone or computer. You do not need to pay a cyber cafe or upload your photo to an unknown website.
Quick Comparison Table
The table below is based on the latest official documents we checked. Specifications can change in a new notice, so always confirm with the notice you are applying for.
| Item | SSC (CHSL 2026 notice) | UPSC (ESE 2027 notice) | IBPS (CRP PO/MT-XVI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | Captured live by the application module; no pre-existing photo needed | Upload a photo and also capture a live photo; .jpg, 20 KB to 300 KB | Upload a photo, 200 x 230 pixels preferred, 20 KB to 50 KB; plus a live photo via webcam or phone |
| Signature | JPEG/JPG, 10 KB to 20 KB, about 6.0 cm wide x 2.0 cm high | Sign three times, one below the other, on white paper in black ink; .jpg, 20 KB to 300 KB | Black ink on white paper, 140 x 60 pixels preferred, 10 KB to 20 KB, not in capital letters |
| Other uploads | Disability certificate if claiming PwBD benefits | As listed in the exam notice | Left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, Class 10 certificate (PDF) |
SSC: Live Photo and Signature
Photograph
SSC no longer asks you to upload a scanned photograph for most exams. The CHSL 2026 notice says the application module captures your photograph while you fill the form. When the camera opens:
- Find a place with good light and a plain background.
- Keep the camera at eye level and look straight ahead.
- Keep your whole face inside the frame shown on screen, neither too close nor too far.
- Do not wear a cap, mask, glasses or spectacles.
Important: Do not point the camera at an old printed photo or a photo on another screen. SSC says applications where a pre-existing photograph is captured will be rejected. Your appearance on exam day should also match the captured photo, so avoid a major change of look before the exam.
Signature
Upload a scanned signature in JPEG/JPG format between 10 KB and 20 KB, with dimensions of about 6.0 cm (width) x 2.0 cm (height). SSC rejects blurred or "miniature" signatures, so sign boldly enough that it is readable.
Note: The notice says applications submitted through Aadhaar-based authentication will not be rejected on the grounds of photo or signature quality. This is one more reason to consider Aadhaar authentication during your SSC one-time registration.
UPSC: Uploaded Photo, Live Photo and Three Signatures
The UPSC ESE 2027 notice asks candidates to have the photograph and signature scanned in .jpg format, with each file not more than 300 KB and not less than 20 KB. It also asks for two things that surprise many first-time applicants:
- Live photo capture: Along with the uploaded photo, you must capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form. Both should be clear.
- Three signatures: You must sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink, and upload that image.
UPSC gives detailed photo instructions, including pixel dimensions and background, on its portal under "Instructions and FAQs". Read that page before you scan, because these details can change between exams.
IBPS: Four Uploads Plus a Certificate
Bank exams run by IBPS ask for the most uploads. The CRP PO/MT-XVI document lists:
- Photograph: recent passport-style colour photo, light (preferably white) background, 200 x 230 pixels preferred, 20 KB to 50 KB. Caps, hats and dark glasses are not allowed. Religious headwear is allowed if it does not cover the face.
- Live photo: captured through webcam, or through your phone by scanning a QR code shown on screen.
- Signature: black ink on white paper, 140 x 60 pixels preferred, 10 KB to 20 KB, not in capital letters.
- Left thumb impression: black or blue ink on white paper, 240 x 240 pixels at 200 DPI (3 cm x 3 cm), 20 KB to 50 KB.
- Handwritten declaration: in English, in your own handwriting, not in capital letters, black ink on white paper, 800 x 400 pixels at 200 DPI (10 cm x 5 cm), 50 KB to 100 KB.
- Class 10 certificate: PDF, A4 page size, not more than 500 KB.
The declaration text is given in the official document. Copy it word for word, write your name in the blank, and do not write it in block capitals. IBPS says the system will not let you move forward until the photo and signature meet the specifications.
Understanding KB, Pixels, cm and DPI
File size (KB)
KB is how much storage the file uses. A larger, sharper image uses more KB. If your file is too big, reduce the quality setting while saving as JPG, or reduce the pixel size. If it is too small, the image is probably too tiny or over-compressed, so start again from the original.
Pixels
Pixels are the width and height of the image, such as 200 x 230. You can see them in the file's properties on a computer, or in the image details on most phones.
Converting cm to pixels
When a notice gives centimetres, use this formula: pixels = (cm ÷ 2.54) x DPI. At 200 DPI, 3 cm becomes about 236 pixels, which is why IBPS writes 240 x 240 pixels for a 3 cm x 3 cm thumb impression. By the same formula, SSC's 6.0 cm x 2.0 cm signature works out to roughly 472 x 157 pixels at 200 DPI. SSC uses the word "about", so a close size with a clear signature is what matters.
How to Resize for Free
On a Windows computer (Paint)
- Right-click the image and choose Open with, then Paint.
- Use Select and Crop to keep only your face or only your signature. Leave a small white margin.
- Click Resize, choose Pixels, untick "Maintain aspect ratio" only if you need an exact size, and type the width and height.
- Choose File, Save as, JPEG picture. Give it a simple name like photo.jpg.
- Right-click the saved file, open Properties, and check the size in KB.
The IBPS document itself suggests MS Paint for converting and resizing images.
On a phone
- Take the photo against a plain light wall in daylight, or scan the signature with the phone's document scanner.
- Open it in the built-in gallery editor and use Crop to remove extra background.
- Many gallery apps have a "Resize" or "Save as copy" option where you can choose a smaller size. Check the details screen for the final pixels and KB.
With free desktop software
GIMP is free and open-source. Use Image, Scale Image to set pixels, then File, Export As, and choose JPG. A quality slider appears, and lowering it reduces the KB. Export again until the file is inside the allowed range.
A word of caution about online resizers
Many websites offer to resize photos online. Avoid uploading your photo, signature, thumb impression or certificates to sites you do not know. These are identity documents and can be misused. The offline methods above are enough for every requirement listed here.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "File size too large" | Photo straight from the phone camera | Crop, reduce pixels, and save as JPG at lower quality |
| "File size too small" | Image shrunk too much | Start again from the original and resize less |
| Signature looks faint | Blue or light pen, poor light | Sign with a black pen and scan in good light |
| Wrong format error | PNG or HEIC file | Save as JPG/JPEG before uploading |
| Face looks dark | Light behind you | Face a window or light source |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same photo for SSC, UPSC and IBPS?
You can use the same original photo, but you will usually need to save different copies to meet each portal's size limits. SSC does not need an uploaded photo for most exams because it captures one live.
Should my signature be in Hindi or English?
The SSC, UPSC and IBPS documents we checked do not ask for a particular language. What they do ask is that the signature is clear and is your own. IBPS does not accept a signature in capital letters. Whatever style you use, sign the same way on the exam day attendance sheet.
Can I wear spectacles in the photo?
Not for SSC live capture, which says no glasses or spectacles. IBPS allows glasses if there is no reflection and your eyes are clearly visible, but dark glasses are not allowed.
My signature file is 25 KB but SSC needs 10 KB to 20 KB. What should I do?
Crop away extra white space, reduce the pixel size a little, and save again as JPG. Check the KB after each save.
Do I need a scanner?
No. A phone camera in good daylight or the phone's built-in document scanner is usually enough, as long as the final image is sharp.
Sources and Last Checked
Specifications in this guide were checked on 01 October 2026 against:
- SSC CHSL 2026 notice, paras 9.3 to 9.6 and 24: ssc.gov.in
- UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2027 notice, Notes 2 to 4 and Appendix on applying online: upsconline.nic.in
- IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI, "Pre-Requisites for Applying Online": ibps.in
If a newer notice gives different sizes, follow the newer notice.