UPSC Photo & Signature Requirements (2026)
Why UPSC needs a square photo, the name-and-date rule, and how to prepare your OTR profile.
UPSC is the outlier among Indian exam portals: it expects a square photograph rather than the usual rectangular passport shape, and the notification generally requires your name and the date printed on the image. Because the One Time Registration profile is shared across Civil Services, NDA, CDS and CAPF, getting this right once covers every UPSC exam you apply for.
Official specification
Confirm against your notification before applying — specs change between cycles.
| Item | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 350×350 px | 20–300 KB | JPG |
| Signature | 350×150 px | 20–100 KB | JPG |
Why applications get rejected
- A rectangular passport photo where a square image is required
- Missing the printed name and date on the photograph
- A photograph older than the notification allows
- A signature outside the stated 20–100 KB range
How to prepare your files
- Take a recent photo on a plain background with the face filling most of the frame.
- Print your name and the photo date on the image as the notification requires.
- Crop to a true square and size it between 20 KB and 300 KB.
- Sign in black ink on white paper and size the signature to 20–100 KB.
Get it sized in seconds
Use the free tool to hit these specs exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Why does UPSC need a square photo?
The UPSC portal validates a square image from 350×350 up to 1000×1000 pixels, unlike most exams which use a rectangular passport photo.
Does this cover NDA and CDS too?
Yes — NDA, CDS and CAPF use the same UPSC One Time Registration profile and specifications.