India Post GDS Photo, Signature & Document Requirements (2026)
All three Gramin Dak Sevak uploads explained — ratios, size windows, and rejection reasons.
India Post's GDS application is unusual in specifying aspect ratios rather than just dimensions: a 4:5 photo and a 5:2 signature, each with both a minimum and maximum file size. Applicants who upload a square or 3:4 photo, or a file compressed below the floor, are rejected automatically. Certificates and marksheets go in as separate 720×1024 files, and file names must avoid special characters.
Official specification
Confirm against your notification before applying — specs change between cycles.
| Item | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 320×400 px | 30–100 KB | JPG |
| Signature | 300×120 px | 20–100 KB | JPG |
| Certificate | 720×1024 px | 20–200 KB | JPG |
Why applications get rejected
- A 1:1 or 3:4 photo — the 4:5 ratio is mandatory
- Photo outside 30–100 KB or signature outside 20–100 KB
- A typed or digital signature instead of pen on paper
- Certificates above 200 KB or off the 720×1024 spec
How to prepare your files
- Take a recent photo on a plain white or light background, face filling 70–80%.
- Crop to 4:5 (320×400 px) and size it within 30–100 KB.
- Sign with a black or blue pen, crop to 5:2 (300×120 px), size within 20–100 KB.
- Prepare each certificate at 720×1024 px under 200 KB, then upload all with simple file names.
Get it sized in seconds
Use the free tool to hit these specs exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the photo ratio matter so much?
India Post validates the 4:5 ratio automatically. A photo that's the right file size but the wrong shape is still rejected.
What size should certificates be?
Each marksheet or certificate should be a JPG of 720×1024 pixels under 200 KB.