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.
PAN card photo and signature requirements (NSDL / UTI portals)
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm (approx. 213 × 213 px for NSDL) |
| Photo file size | 20KB–300KB (JPEG) |
| Signature dimensions | 2 cm × 4.5 cm (approx. 140 × 60 px) |
| Signature file size | 10KB–50KB (JPEG) |
| Background | Plain white or light colour |
| DPI | 200 DPI recommended |
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.
- First-time PAN applicants applying through NSDL or UTI online portals.
- Individuals correcting or updating PAN details who need a fresh photo upload.
- CSC operators and agents processing bulk PAN applications.
- NRIs applying for PAN cards online from abroad.
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 tools on PhotoResizer.in
Depending on the exact wording of your notification, you might find these pages useful as well:
- Resize image to 20KB for very small upload limits.
- Resize image to 50KB for common exam photo guidelines.
- 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.