UPSC OTR official photo and signature specifications
UPSC updated its OTR (One-Time Registration) system and the photo/signature requirements are strictly enforced. Deviating from these specs will cause your registration to fail at the upload step. Below are the exact official requirements as per the UPSC OTR portal guidelines:
| Document | Dimensions | File Size | Format | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 350 × 350 pixels | 20KB – 200KB | JPEG only | White / light plain |
| Signature | 140 × 60 pixels | 10KB – 50KB | JPEG only | White |
Note the minimum size requirement: your photo must be at least 20KB. If you compress too aggressively, the portal will also reject it. Our tool compresses to just under 200KB, keeping well within the valid range.
Complete UPSC exam photo requirements across all stages
| Stage / Form | Photo Spec | Signature Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC OTR Registration | 350×350px, 20–200KB, JPEG | 140×60px, 10–50KB, JPEG | One-time, used for all exams |
| UPSC CSE DAF | Same as OTR | Same as OTR | Detailed Application Form |
| UPSC IFS Application | 350×350px, JPEG | 140×60px, JPEG | Indian Forest Service |
| UPSC CAPF AC | 350×350px, JPEG | 140×60px, JPEG | Central Armed Police Forces |
| NDA / CDS Application | 350×350px, JPEG | 140×60px, JPEG | Defence services exams |
| UPSC Admit Card | Pulled from OTR | — | No re-upload needed |
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How to prepare your UPSC OTR photo (step by step)
Get a recent passport-size photograph with a plain white or light background. Your face should cover 70–80% of the frame, eyes open and looking forward.
If you have a physical print, scan it at 200 DPI or higher. If it's a digital photo from a studio, use the original file — not a WhatsApp-compressed version.
Upload using the tool above. It is pre-configured to resize to 350×350px and compress to under 200KB in JPEG. Click Compress.
Verify the output file is between 20KB and 200KB. Download and upload to your UPSC OTR account under My Profile → Upload Documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I upload a photo outside the 20KB–200KB range?
The UPSC OTR portal will show an error and reject the upload. Photos below 20KB are considered too low quality. Photos above 200KB will be rejected for exceeding the size limit. Our tool targets just under 200KB to stay safely within the valid range.
Can I use the same photo for all UPSC exams?
Yes — that's the purpose of OTR (One-Time Registration). You upload your photo once during OTR registration and it is used for all subsequent UPSC exam applications until you update it. Make sure your photo is recent (taken within 6 months) and meets the specifications.
My studio gave me a JPG file — why is it still too large?
Studios often give high-resolution files (2–5MB) so you can print them. For online uploads, you need to compress the digital file. Upload the studio's JPG here — the tool will resize to 350×350px and bring it under 200KB in one step.
How do I compress my signature for UPSC?
Use our signature compressor which is pre-configured for 140×60px and under 50KB — the exact UPSC signature spec. Sign on white paper, scan or photograph it clearly, then compress.