Indian Passport
India
2x2 inch (51×51 mm), white background, high-resolution color photo: front view, neutral expression, mouth closed, 70–80% face coverage.
Last reviewed:
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Example photo guidance
Indian Passport — key specifications
At-a-glance summary of the official India photo template. Every value below is enforced automatically when you upload your image.
| Physical size | 51 mm × 51 mm (2.01 in × 2.01 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 1200 × 1200 px (300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Max file size | 1024 KB (JPEG) |
| Head coverage | 70–80% |
| Print sheet | 4x6 · 6 |
Requirements
Check dimensions and official rules on this page.
- Physical: 51mm × 51mm
- Digital: 600–1200px × 600–1200px
- Max file size: 1024 KB
Recent color photo (typically within 3 months), no shadows or red-eye, eyes open and visible, hair must not cover eyes; no heavy retouching.
Ministry of External Affairs — Passport Seva photo rules
The Ministry of External Affairs operates Passport Seva, India's online application portal. The portal caps uploads at 240 KB JPEG at 300 DPI with 51 × 51 mm dimensions and 70–80% head coverage on a plain white background. The same template applies to OCI and most Indian visas.
Why use this Indian Passport tool
- $3.99Final photo + 4×6 print sheet. No subscription. Studios typically charge $15 – $30 for the same output.
- Free previewYou only pay once a watermarked preview confirms the crop, background, and biometric framing meet the spec.
- Refund if non-compliantIf our output fails the issuing-authority checklist, we refund — see our refund policy.
Common reasons Indian Passport photos are rejected
Issuing authorities reject submissions that miss any of the items below. Our tool automatically corrects crop, background, and dimensions, but you still control the original capture — review this list before you upload.
- face_coverage_insufficient
- glare_on_glasses
- shadows_on_background
- wrong_pixel_dimensions
- expression_or_pose
- hair_or_accessories_obscuring_face
Indian passport photo rejection patterns from Passport Seva data
Passport Seva — India's online application portal operated by the Ministry of External Affairs — runs an automated compliance check before accepting submissions. The 240 KB file-size ceiling is the most-failed criterion; many users upload a 1 – 5 MB JPEG from a phone and the portal silently rejects it at upload.
The second-largest rejection cluster is background quality. India strictly requires pure white — off-white, cream, light grey are all rejected. Many home captures against a beige or eggshell wall fail this check.
- File over 240 KB — phone-camera JPEGs are typically 1 – 5 MB and must be compressed
- Background not pure white — eggshell, cream, light grey are all rejected
- Format other than JPEG — PNG, HEIC, WebP are all rejected
- Resolution below 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI
- Head height outside 70 – 80% of photo height
- Photo older than 6 months
- Visible shadow on the face, neck, or background wall
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office PSK (POPSK) submission
India operates two parallel in-person submission channels:
- Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) — full-service centres for new passports, name changes, and complex applications. Located in major cities; ~93 across India.
- Post Office PSK (POPSK) — limited services (mostly renewals and minor amendments) operating in 400+ post offices across India for better rural coverage.
- For all in-person submissions, bring 2 printed 51 × 51 mm photos plus the digital file on a USB drive. POPSKs are typically faster and easier to book than full PSKs for routine renewals.
OCI cards, e-visas, and reusing the same Indian passport photo
The 51 × 51 mm Indian passport photo template is reusable for:
- Indian passport applications (new + renewal)
- OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card applications via passport.gov.in OCI portal
- Indian visas (tourist, business, e-visa via indianvisaonline.gov.in)
- PAN card photo (separate stamp-size format but same source photo works)
- Aadhaar enrolment uses an on-site captured photo and is NOT compatible — you cannot bring your own photo
Recent Indian passport rule changes (2024 – 2026)
Material changes in the last 24 months you should be aware of:
- April 2024 — Passport Seva increased the file-size ceiling check stringency; uploads at exactly 240 KB sometimes fail. Target 200 – 230 KB for safety.
- September 2024 — Tatkal (rush) passport applications now require photo capture at the PSK in-person; bring-your-own-photo is no longer accepted for Tatkal.
- January 2025 — OCI card renewals streamlined; same photo specification (51 × 51 mm, plain white, 70 – 80% head coverage) applies.
- March 2025 — e-visa portal accepts photos up to 1 MB (not the 240 KB Passport Seva ceiling); same dimensions and biometric rules.
- Mid-2026 — no current Indian equivalent to the US 2026 AI-edit ban; AI-edited photos remain accepted for Passport Seva.
Indian Passport — common questions
What is the Passport Seva file size limit for India online applications?
240 KB maximum, JPEG only, 300 DPI minimum. The Passport Seva portal rejects uploads over 240 KB at the upload step. Our tool exports under this ceiling automatically at the highest allowable JPEG quality. PNG, HEIC, and any other format are rejected — only .jpg / .jpeg are accepted.
Can I use the same photo for an Indian passport, OCI card, and Indian visa?
Yes for all three — same 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inch) format, same 70 – 80% head coverage, same plain white background. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months for any of the three applications. OCI submissions specifically cross-check the new photo against your current Indian passport scan, so significant appearance changes (haircut, weight, beard) warrant a fresh capture.
How much does an Indian passport photo cost at a Mumbai or Delhi studio?
Typically ₹150 – ₹300 (about $1.80 – $3.60 USD) for a set of 4 – 6 prints at a city studio. Online with our tool: $3.99 (about ₹330) for the digital JPEG sized for Passport Seva upload, plus a print-ready 4×6 sheet that any Indian photo studio or Snapdeal/Amazon-Same-Day photo print service will accept.
What is the official Indian Passport size?
The official Indian Passport size is 51 mm × 51 mm (2.01 in × 2.01 in). For digital uploads it equals 1200 × 1200 px at 300 DPI.
What background color is required for a Indian Passport?
Indian Passport photos must be taken on a plain white background, evenly lit and free of shadows or patterns.
How big should the face appear in a Indian Passport photo?
The head should fill 70–80% of the photo height, with eyes positioned in the upper-middle of the frame and a neutral expression looking straight at the camera.
Can I take a Indian Passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a recent phone photo against a plain wall, with even daylight and no glasses. Our tool then crops, recolors the background, and resizes to the official 51 mm × 51 mm template.
Can I print the Indian Passport at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 6 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
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Where we sourced these India specifications
Dimensions, background colour, and biometric framing on this page are compiled from the references below. Always reconfirm the latest guidance directly with the issuing authority before submitting an application.
- passportindia.gov.in
- indianvisaonline.gov.in
- vfsglobal.com
Last reviewed:
Other countries' passport & visa photo rules
Photo dimensions and background rules vary by issuing authority. Compare nearby countries you may also be applying to.