India passport photo size
In India the passport photo is captured at the Passport Seva Kendra. A 35 × 45 mm print on a plain white background is needed only for paper applications, missions abroad upload an ICAO photo of 630 × 810 px under 250 KB, and OCI and some missions still ask for 2 × 2 inches. Export the print or the upload here.
- Document
- Passport (Passport Seva; missions abroad and OCI differ)
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm (2 × 2 in at some missions and for OCI)
- Background
- Plain white
- Photo age
- Recent, showing your latest appearance
- Online upload
- 630 × 810 px, JPEG, up to 250 KB
- Print export
- 413 × 531 px at 300 ppi, 8 copies per 4 × 6 in sheet
In India the photo is captured live at the Passport Seva Kendra; a print is needed only for paper applications lodged at a DPC, Speed Post Centre or Citizen Service Centre. Missions abroad upload an ICAO-compliant file.
One 35 × 45 mm colour print on good-quality photo paper with continuous-tone quality; computer prints, black-and-white photos, photos cut from group photos and signed photos are rejected.
Mandatory for mission applications from 1 December 2025: 630 × 810 px for better quality, 250 KB at most, face about 85% of the image, white uniform background. OCI and some missions still ask for a 2 × 2 inch photo with the head 25–35 mm; check your mission.
Official requirements — Passport Seva (Ministry of External Affairs)
Place the crown and chin at the guide lines and the eyes in the band when one is shown. The oval is an approximate placement guide, not a face measurement or approval check.
This authority publishes no head height: keep the face centred with space above the head and the shoulders visible.
Which Indian application needs a photo
A photo is not required at a Passport Seva Kendra or POPSK, where it is captured live. One 35 × 45 mm colour print is needed for paper applications lodged at a District Passport Cell, Speed Post Centre or Citizen Service Centre, on good-quality photo paper with a dark-coloured dress against a plain white background.
Missions abroad upload an ICAO photo
Uploading an ICAO-compliant photo on the Global Passport Seva portal is mandatory from 1 December 2025. The Embassy in Bern asks for 630 × 810 px, a file of at most 250 KB, the face about 85% of the image and a white uniform background; turban wearers must show forehead and face.
2 × 2 inch photos for OCI and some missions
OCI registration uses a 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square with the head 25–35 mm from top of hair to chin and the eyes 1⅛ to 1⅓ inches from the bottom. Several missions moved to 35 × 45 mm prints while others still list 2 × 2 inches: check your mission before printing.
What is rejected
Computer prints, black-and-white photos, photos cut from group photos and signed photos are rejected. Eyes hidden under coloured or dark glasses, hair or frames are not accepted; head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons with the face clearly visible. Keep a natural expression with both ears visible.
How to take a valid photo
The shared ICAO points first, then what this authority adds.
- Have someone else take the photo at eye level from a few steps away; most authorities reject selfies.
- Face the camera straight on with your head level, both eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- Light the face evenly: no shadows on the face or the background, no flash reflections, no red-eye.
- Keep the photo as taken: no filters, retouching, background replacement or AI edits.
- Only you in the frame, nothing covering the face, hair away from the eyes, no uniform.
- Leave space around the head and shoulders so the crop can follow the guide.
- Eyes must not be hidden by coloured or dark glasses, hair or frames; avoid glare.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges visible; turban wearers show forehead and face.
- Natural expression: no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows; frontal full face, head centred with both ears visible.
- Wear a dark-coloured dress against the white background.
Official sources
Requirements checked on 27 October 2026 against the official pages below. The issuing authority makes the acceptance decision; nothing on this page certifies a photo.
To compare formats, see passport photo sizes by country.
Related free photo tools
- Free toolPassport photo size by countryCompare passport photo sizes and official application rules for 40 countries. Align a private head guide; export prints, 4 × 6 in sheets and upload files where the authority allows it.
- Free toolIndonesia passport photoIndonesian passport photos are taken at the Kantor Imigrasi after the interview, so there is nothing to crop. Read the dress, glasses and hijab rules for the capture.
- Free toolIreland passport photo sizeIrish passport photos are 35 × 45 mm (up to 38 × 50 mm) printed, or at least 715 × 951 px JPEG under 9 MB for Passport Online. Crop a print, a 4 × 6 in sheet or the upload.
- Free toolItaly passport photo sizeItalian passport photos are 35 × 45 mm with the face 70–80% of the height from chin to hairline, on a white background. Crop a print or a 4 × 6 in sheet with a head guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Indian passport photo?
35 × 45 mm for paper applications in India; 630 × 810 px for mission uploads; 2 × 2 inches for OCI and some missions.
Do I need a photo at the Passport Seva Kendra?
No. The photo is captured live at the PSK or POPSK.
How large can the upload be?
250 KB at most, at 630 × 810 px, according to the Embassy of India in Bern. The export here enforces that limit.
What should I wear?
A dark-coloured dress against the white background; missions ask for coloured attire that is not patterned or pure white.