Platform sizes
UPSC photo and signature size
By Suprabhat Updated How we write these
2 min read
The short answer
UPSC asks for a photo JPEG of 20–200 KB, with your face covering three quarters of it on a white background, and a signature written three times one below the other, as a JPEG of 20–100 KB and 350–500 pixels. A live photo is also taken during the application.
UPSC online application
| Photograph | JPEG, 20 – 200 KB, face covering 3/4 of the photo, plain white background |
|---|---|
| Signature | JPEG, 20 – 100 KB, 350 – 500 px, signed three times one below the other |
| Live photograph | taken with the webcam or a phone during the application, and matched against the uploaded photo |
| File names | photo.jpg and signature.jpg |
The photo: three quarters face
UPSC rejects more photos for face size than for anything else. Your face must cover at least 75% of the picture: crop close, from just above the hair to just below the chin, with both ears showing and the head centered. The background must be plain white, the expression natural, and the photo must not be signed. Dark or colored glasses and uniforms aren’t accepted.
The live photo taken during the application is compared with the one you upload. If they don’t match, the application can’t go further, so upload a recent photo that looks like you today.
The triple signature
Sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper in black ink, with space between them, and scan or photograph all three as one image. Crop around the three together, then compress the file into the 20–100 KB band. The signature walkthrough covers the cropping and compressing.
Questions
What is the UPSC photo size in KB?
Between 20 KB and 200 KB, as a JPEG saved as photo.jpg, with the face covering at least three quarters of the photo.
What is the UPSC signature size?
Between 20 KB and 100 KB, 350–500 pixels, as a JPEG saved as signature.jpg — with your signature written three times, one below the other.
Why was my UPSC photo rejected?
Usually because the face covers less than three quarters of the photo, the face isn’t looking straight at the camera, the ears aren’t visible, or the photo is blurred. Crop closer and check the file with the Photo Size Checker.
Do I still upload a photo if UPSC takes a live one?
Yes. You upload a recent passport-size photo and also capture a live photo with your webcam or phone; the two are matched.
Where these numbers come from
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-28. Platforms change their rules; if one has, the upload limits page changelog says so.