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UPSC photo and signature size: CSE, ESE and OTR

By ZestyPDF Editorial TeamLast checked against the official notices

UPSC asks for a photo and a signature, each a JPG of at least 20 KB and at most 300 KB (ESE 2027 notification, 16-09-2026). For pixels, UPSC's technical FAQ PDF (Feb 2025) says photo 550 × 550 to 1000 × 1000 and signature 350 × 350 to 500 × 500, while its FAQ web page says 350 × 350 to 1000 × 1000 for both. The signature image is your signature three times, one below the other. The CSE 2026 notification also asks you to capture a live photo in the application form.

Official requirements

UPSC online application

  • Photo

    File size:
    20–300 KB
    Pixels:
    550 × 550 to 1000 × 1000
    Format:
    JPG/JPEG
    Rules on the notice:
    3/4 of your face should be visible. UPSC also captures a live photo.

  • Signature

    File size:
    20–300 KB
    Pixels:
    350 × 350 to 500 × 500
    Format:
    JPG/JPEG
    Rules on the notice:
    Sign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, then upload that image.

Source

Checked by ZestyPDF on 23 Oct 2026. ZestyPDF is not affiliated with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Your own notification is final: if it says something different from this page, follow your notification.

Make yours now

Each button opens our free Photo & Signature Resizer with that size already picked. It makes a file that matches the published size and file-size limits, and tells you if your image can't. Your image stays in your browser.

How to make yours

  1. For the photo, the FAQ PDF says “3/4 of the face should be visible”.
  2. For the signature, sign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, and photograph or scan the sheet.
  3. Press Photo or Signature under Make yours now. The resizer opens with UPSC's size picked.
  4. Add your image and place the square crop box (around all three signatures for the signature). If your crop is inside the pixel range it keeps its size; otherwise it's scaled into it.
  5. Press Photo & Signature Resizer, then Download, and check the pixels and KB on the result card.

What the notice also says

Photo

  • The ESE 2027 notification:
    “photograph and signature duly scanned in the .jpg format in such a manner that each file should not exceed 300 KB each and must not be less than 20 KB in size”
  • The FAQ PDF, question 43:
    “Photograph should be 550-pixel (Width) * 550-pixel (Height) minimum and 1000-pixel (Width) * 1000-pixel (Height) maximum.”
  • The CSE 2026 notification (Note 2): upload a photo, and also capture a live photo in the application form.

Signature

  • The CSE 2026 notification (Note 3):
    “Applicants are required to sign three times (one below the other) on a plain white paper using a black ink and upload the same”
  • The FAQ PDF, question 43:
    “The resolution of Signature 350-pixel (Width) * 350-pixel (Height) minimum and 500-pixel (Width) * 500-pixel (Height) maximum.”

The pixel conflict

  • Our ready-made sizes use the FAQ PDF's ranges: photo 550–1000 px, signature 350–500 px. Both sit inside the web page's 350–1000 px, so a file made with them fits either version.
  • The CSE 2026 notification points to a “Photos and Signature” instructions page on upsconline.nic.in. It needs a login, and we couldn't read it.

Questions

Which pixel size is right for the UPSC photo?

UPSC's two FAQs disagree: the PDF says 550 × 550 to 1000 × 1000, the web page 350 × 350 to 1000 × 1000. A photo between 550 and 1000 pixels fits both. The 20–300 KB range is the same everywhere we looked.

How do I make the UPSC signature image?

Sign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, then photograph or scan the sheet. Our ready-made size crops a square between 350 × 350 and 500 × 500 pixels, so put the box around all three signatures.

UPSC takes a live photo. Do I still upload one?

Yes. The CSE 2026 notification asks for both: an uploaded photo and a live photo.

Is it the same for CSE, ESE and OTR?

The KB range here is from the ESE 2027 notification, the pixel ranges from the OTR technical FAQs, and the three signatures and the live photo from the CSE 2026 notification. Check your own exam's notification for its wording.

Last checked 23 Oct 2026. Found a newer notice? Tell us at support@zestypdf.com.

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