Typical photo and signature limits
Exam bodies and document authorities usually publish a PDF or information bulletin with exact specifications. Those instructions are always the final reference point. However, candidates often find the wording confusing or need a quick reminder while sitting at a cyber café. The table below summarises the ranges most people encounter in practice.
CDS 2026 Photo Requirements (UPSC)
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Min 350×350 px, Max 1000×1000 px |
| File Size | 20 KB – 300 KB |
| Format | JPEG / JPG |
Who this online tool helps
This page is designed for candidates and applicants who already have a decent quality photo but are stuck on the final upload step. Instead of visiting a studio every time an exam notification appears, you can prepare compliant files yourself in a few minutes.
- CDS applicants registering on the UPSC OTR portal.
- Candidates facing resolution errors (less than 350px).
Step-by-step: prepare your image
- Capture or scan clearly. Use natural daylight or soft indoor light. Avoid harsh shadows, coloured bulbs and heavy filters.
- Crop to the right framing. Your head and shoulders should be comfortably inside the frame with a little space above the head. For signatures, crop to just the handwriting on white paper.
- Open the main PhotoResizer.in tool. Use the quick links in the header or go directly to the image resizer page.
- Select a suitable target KB value. If your notification states 20–50KB, you can safely start with 40–45KB to maintain clarity, or pick a lower option if the portal is very strict.
- Keep aspect ratio locked. This protects your picture from looking stretched when reduced to exam dimensions.
- Download and zoom in to verify. Open the final file, zoom in on your face or signature, and make sure edges remain sharp and text is readable.
Practical tips before final submission
Once your image is ready, a few small checks can save you from last-minute technical issues:
- Test the upload once on a desktop browser and once on mobile, if possible.
- Keep both the original and resized images in a clearly named folder so you can reuse them for future forms.
- Avoid editing the file further in apps that may enlarge it again or change the format.
Related Defense Exams Photo Resizers
Candidates preparing for similar exams often need these tools as well. Each page below is pre-configured with the correct dimensions and file-size limits so you can switch between exams instantly.
Resize your photo and signature for NDA and CDS application forms to the exact dimensions and KB size required by UPSC portals.
Resize photo, signature, and thumb impression for AFCAT. 10-50KB limits. Light background.
Resize photo for Territorial Army Officer applications. Get the accurate JPEG file size.
Resize your photograph for IAF Agniveer Vayu intake. Include slate with name and date of photo as per rules.
Use the free SSC photo resizer to compress your image and signature for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS exams. 20KB–50KB target size online.
Use our free UPSC photo editor and image resizer. Compress your photo and signature to 20KB-300KB for Civil Services applications instantly.
Quick size presets
Depending on the exact wording of your notification, you might also need a specific KB target:
- Resize image to 20KB – for very small upload limits.
- Resize image to 50KB – the most common exam photo size.
- Resize image to 100KB – for UPSC, passport, and visa-grade photos.
- Signature resize tool – when only your handwritten signature needs adjustment.
Remember: the goal is not just to pass the portal's technical checks, but to submit a clean and professional-looking image that represents you clearly.