Indian Passport Photo Requirements (2026) — Official Passport Seva ICAO Guidelines
India's passport photo rules changed significantly on 1 September 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially adopted the ICAO Doc 9303 biometric standard for all passport applications — replacing the older 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square format that had been in use for decades. All Indian passport applications submitted from 1 September 2025 onwards, whether through a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) inside India or through Indian embassies and consulates abroad, must comply with the new ICAO-aligned specifications. Applications submitted with the old square format are now rejected outright at the portal upload stage. This guide reflects the current requirements published by the Passport Seva scheme at passportindia.gov.in.
Indian Passport — Official Technical Specifications (Post September 2025)
Full Specification Table
All requirements below are drawn from the Passport Seva ICAO guidelines PDF published at passportindia.gov.in and enforced across all Passport Seva Kendras and Indian missions worldwide from 1 September 2025.
| Requirement | Official Specification |
|---|---|
| Print dimensions | 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall (ICAO portrait format) |
| Digital upload dimensions | Exactly 630 × 810 pixels (JPEG) |
| Maximum digital file size | Under 250 KB |
| Face coverage | 80–85% of the photograph height (chin to crown) |
| Background | Plain white only; no patterns, shadows, or off-white tones |
| Photo recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral; mouth closed; eyes open and looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not permitted as of September 2025; medical exceptions require doctor's certificate |
| Head coverings | Permitted for religious reasons only; full face chin to forehead must be visible |
| Digital signature (separate upload) | 140 × 60 pixels, JPEG, under 250 KB, black ink on white background |
| Photo editing | Not permitted; no filters, beauty modes, or AI retouching |
| Print quality | Professional continuous-tone printing; Polaroid and inkjet prints not accepted |
The September 2025 ICAO Change — What You Need to Know
From Square to Portrait: The New 35×45 mm Standard
Before September 2025, Indian passport applicants at embassies and consulates abroad submitted a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square photo — the same format used for Indian visas. This format has now been replaced by the internationally standard 35×45 mm portrait (rectangular) format, which is used by the UK, EU countries, Australia, and most Commonwealth nations. If you are renewing your Indian passport from outside India — through VFS Global or BLS International — you must now use the new 35×45 mm format. The old square format will be rejected. Note that OCI card applications continue to use the square format (200–900 pixels, under 200 KB) on the OCI Services Portal — the passport and OCI requirements are now different and you will need separate photos for each.
Passport Seva Portal: Exact Upload Requirements
For online applications through the GPSP 2.0 portal at mportal.passportindia.gov.in, you must upload a JPEG image at exactly 630 × 810 pixels, under 250 KB. The portal's automated system rejects files outside these limits before the application can progress — it does not flag the file for manual review. Smartphone photos from modern cameras are typically 3–8 MB and must be resized and compressed before upload. The portal also requires a separate digital signature image at 140 × 60 pixels, under 250 KB, in black ink on a white background. The Passport Seva team recommends uploading from a desktop computer, as several error codes on the new GPSP 2.0 portal are triggered specifically by mobile browser uploads.
Face Coverage: The 80–85% Rule
The updated ICAO-aligned Passport Seva guidelines specify that the face — measured from chin to crown — must occupy 80–85% of the photograph height. This is a tighter framing requirement than the 70–80% range used under the old square format, and tighter than most other ICAO countries. Photos taken at arm's length or with the subject too far from the camera typically result in too much background and a face that is too small in frame. This is now one of the leading causes of automated rejection on the Passport Seva portal.
Glasses: Banned Since September 2025
Glasses of all types — prescription, reading, and fashion — are no longer permitted in Indian passport photos as of the September 2025 ICAO enforcement. This applies to all applications, whether submitted domestically at a PSK or through an embassy abroad. The only exception is a documented medical condition that prevents removal, supported by a doctor's certificate submitted with the application. Vision impairment alone is not an accepted reason — contact lenses are a suitable alternative. Sunglasses and tinted lenses remain never acceptable under any circumstances.
Background, Lighting, and Print Quality
The background must be plain white with no shadows, patterns, or off-white tones. Even subtle shadows behind the ears or under the chin are flagged by the Passport Seva portal's automated system. Even, diffuse lighting is required — direct flash causes overexposure on the forehead and nose, which also triggers rejection. The photo must show natural skin tone with appropriate brightness and contrast. For physical prints submitted at a PSK or sent to VFS Global, professional continuous-tone printing is required. Polaroid photos and output from ordinary inkjet printers are explicitly not accepted by the Embassy of India guidelines.
Children and Infants
Children follow the same 35×45 mm ICAO specifications as adults. For infants, the child must face the camera with eyes open. A parent may hold the infant from behind, but hands must not be visible in the frame. A white sheet can be used as a background when photographing a baby lying flat. No chair backs, toys, or other people may be visible in the photo.
Indian Passport Photo Compliance Checklist
Verify Every Point Before Submitting to Passport Seva
| Checklist Item | Requirement | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Photo format | 35×45 mm portrait (rectangular) | Using old 51×51 mm square format |
| Digital dimensions | Exactly 630 × 810 pixels | Uploading at wrong pixel dimensions |
| File size | Under 250 KB, JPEG only | Uploading uncompressed camera file (3–8 MB) |
| Face coverage | 80–85% of frame height | Face too small due to selfie distance |
| Background | Plain white, no shadows | Off-white wall; shadow behind head |
| Glasses | Not permitted (banned September 2025) | Prescription glasses still on |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open | Slight smile or squinting |
| Editing | No filters, retouching, or AI enhancement | Beauty mode or background replacement app |
| Photo age | Taken within last 6 months | Reusing an older passport photo |
| Clothing | Dark clothing recommended | White top blending into white background |
| Print quality | Professional continuous-tone printing | Home inkjet print |
| Signature upload | 140×60 px, JPEG, under 250 KB (separate) | Uploading signature in the photo field |
Important: Passport and OCI Photos Are Now Different
Since September 2025, Indian passport applications use the new 35×45 mm rectangular ICAO format, while OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card applications still require a square format photo (200–900 pixels, under 200 KB) on the OCI Services Portal. You cannot use the same photo for both applications. Prepare separate photos for each.