The short answer
| Item | Photograph | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Format | JPG | JPG |
| File size | 20–200 KB | 20–100 KB |
| Pixels | Not fixed in recent instructions; 413 × 531 px works well | 350–500 px |
| Content | Recent colour photo, face about 75% of the photo | Three signatures, one below the other, in one image |
| Background / paper | Plain white, no shadows | Plain white, unruled paper |
| Ink | — | Black only |
These rules come from UPSC's online application instructions as reported for the 2026 cycle (Civil Services, NDA, CDS, CAPF, ESE and others use the same portal). Older notifications asked for the candidate's name and the date printed below the photo; if yours does, switch on "Name and date on photo" in ExamPic.
The photo: three-quarters face
UPSC wants your face to fill about 75% of the photo, much tighter than a normal passport photo. Your head should nearly touch the top and your chin should sit just above the bottom. Both ear lobes must be visible, eyes open and not covered by hair, with a natural expression. Dark or coloured glasses are not accepted, and ordinary spectacles must not show glare.
ExamPic's UPSC preset is set for this. When you add your photo, it finds your face and zooms in until the head fills about three-quarters of the frame, then checks the result under "Head size".
The signature: three times, one below the other
- Take a plain white, unruled sheet. Sign three times with a black pen, one signature below the other, leaving a finger's gap between them.
- Photograph or scan the whole set together, so all three are in one picture.
- In ExamPic, choose UPSC, then Signature. Crop so the three signatures fill the frame with a small white margin. The tool saves a 400 × 500 px JPG between 20 and 100 KB.
An image with one or two signatures, blue ink, or ruled paper is rejected. So is anything that isn't a signature.
Before you submit
- Name the files the way the portal asks, for example "photo" and "signature".
- Don't sign the photograph itself.
- Use the same photo for all later stages; UPSC matches it at the exam centre and at the interview.
Frequently asked questions
How big should the face be in the UPSC photo?
About three-quarters (75%) of the photograph, with both ears visible. ExamPic frames it automatically and shows the head size as a percentage.
Why does UPSC want three signatures?
UPSC's current instructions ask for one image with three signatures placed one below the other, so they can compare your signature reliably. One signature is rejected.
Can I use blue ink for the UPSC signature?
No. UPSC asks for black ink only.
What file size does UPSC accept?
Photo 20–200 KB and signature 20–100 KB, both JPG.
Last checked: 31 October 2026. Official source: upsconline.nic.in. Rules change between years, so always confirm in your own notification.