UGC NET Photo & Signature Requirements (2026)
NTA's photo and signature rules for UGC NET and CSIR NET, including the 80% face rule.
NTA's UGC NET upload check is stricter than it looks: beyond the file-size ranges, the photograph must show about 80% of the face — ears visible, no mask — and the signature must be in running letters that match what you'll sign at the exam centre. CSIR NET follows the same pattern, so one correct set of files covers both. NTA can revise the ranges between sessions, which is why every spec here carries a confirm-on-bulletin caveat.
Official specification
Confirm against your notification before applying — specs change between cycles.
| Item | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 350×450 px | 10–200 KB | JPG |
| Signature | 350×150 px | 4–30 KB | JPG |
Why applications get rejected
- Photo outside the 10–200 KB range, or older than the bulletin allows
- Hair or a mask hiding the ears, failing the 80% face-visibility rule
- Signature in capital letters instead of running handwriting
- A signature that doesn't match the one signed before the invigilator
How to prepare your files
- Take a recent photo on a white background with the ears clearly visible.
- Resize it to about 3.5×4.5 cm and 10–200 KB.
- Sign in running letters with black or blue ink on white paper.
- Resize the signature to about 3.5×1.5 cm and 4–30 KB, then upload both.
Get it sized in seconds
Use the free tool to hit these specs exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Does CSIR NET use the same specs?
CSIR NET follows the same NTA upload pattern as UGC NET, so files prepared to these specs generally work for both. Confirm on your information bulletin.
Why does the 80% face rule matter?
NTA matches your uploaded photo against you at the exam centre. If the face is partly hidden, the match can fail and be treated as a discrepancy.