Complete Passport Photo Specification
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) requires specific photo dimensions when applying for a new passport, renewing an existing one, or making corrections through the Passport Seva portal. These specs changed slightly in recent years — here are the exact, up-to-date requirements for 2026.
Passport Photo Quick Specs
- ✓ Dimensions: 51 mm × 51 mm (Square)
- ✓ Pixels: 600 × 600 px
- ✓ File Size: Max 300 KB
- ✓ Background: White / Off-White
- ✓ Format: JPEG / JPG
- ✓ DPI: 300 DPI
Digital vs Printed Passport Photo — Key Difference
This is the #1 source of confusion. The printed passport photo that you physically carry to the Passport Seva Kendra is the standard 35mm × 45mm rectangle. But the digital photo you upload on the Passport Seva website is 51mm × 51mm (square). Our tool processes the digital format (600×600 px).
| Type | Dimensions | Ratio | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital (Online) | 51 × 51 mm / 600×600 px | 1:1 Square | Passport Seva Portal Upload |
| Printed (Physical) | 35 × 45 mm | ~3:4 Portrait | Physical copy at PSK |
Common Passport Photo Rejection Reasons
- Non-white background: Studio photos with blue/grey backgrounds get rejected instantly. Our AI removes backgrounds automatically.
- Face too small in frame: Your face should occupy 70-80% of the photo height, from chin to top of head.
- Shadows on face: Uneven lighting creates shadows. Use natural daylight facing a window.
- Eyes not open or looking away: You must look directly at the camera with both eyes clearly visible.
- Wearing caps or hats: Religious headwear is allowed, but the full face from forehead to chin must be visible.
How to Take a Perfect Passport Photo at Home
- Lighting: Stand facing a window during daytime for even, shadow-free lighting on your face.
- Background: Stand against any wall — you don't need white! Our AI will remove the background.
- Pose: Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your mouth closed.
- Framing: Have someone take a chest-up photo. Avoid selfies (front cameras distort faces).
- Upload: Use the PhotoSarkari tool above. It crops to 1:1 square, removes the background, and compresses under 300KB.
Photo Size Comparison Chart
| Document | Dimensions (Pixels) | Max File Size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Passport | 600 × 600 px | 300 KB | White |
| Aadhaar Card | 350 × 450 px | 50 KB | White |
| PAN Card | 197 × 276 px | 50 KB | White |