Indian passport photo size — 35×45 mm (2026 rules)
Spec pending verification against the official source — confirm on the official portal before you submit.
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An Indian passport photo is 35 × 45 mm with a plain white background, a neutral expression, and no glasses. For online submission, a 630 × 810 pixel JPEG matches that same 7:9 portrait ratio.
The specification
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Digital size | 630 × 810 px (JPEG) |
| Ratio | 7:9 portrait |
| Background | Plain white, evenly lit |
| Face height | Approx. 36–38 mm chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Last verified: UNVERIFIED — confirm against the current Passport Seva specification before submitting.
The size changed. India moved to the ICAO 35 × 45 mm standard and retired the older 51 × 51 mm square format. Many older tools and studios still output the square size, which is no longer the current specification. Check what your tool produced before you upload.
The four things that get photos rejected
1. The background isn't actually white. A wall that looks white to your eye is usually light grey or cream in a photo, and it fails on inspection. Shadows behind the head are the most common version of this. The fix is to replace the background outright rather than photograph a white wall.
2. The face is the wrong size in the frame. This is the one most people miss. India requires an unusually large face — roughly 36–38 mm from chin to crown, which is about 80–85% of the frame height. A normal selfie framing leaves the face far too small.
3. Glasses. Glasses have not been permitted in Indian passport photos since 2020. Remove them, including thin frames and clear lenses.
4. Expression and head angle. Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smile. Head straight to the camera, both ears roughly level, eyes open and clearly visible.
How to make one
- Take a photo against any background in even, front-facing light. Avoid overhead light — it casts shadows under the eyes and behind the head.
- Upload it above. The background is replaced with white, the face is cropped to the required height, and the file is sized to spec.
- Download the digital file for online submission, or a print sheet for the counter.
Everything runs in your browser. Your photo is not uploaded anywhere.
Printing
For physical submission, use the 4×6 inch print sheet — it lays out multiple copies at exact size for a local print shop. Print at actual size with no scaling, or the millimetre dimensions will be wrong.
Do not use AI to edit your face
Beautification filters, face-slimming, skin smoothing and AI-generated portraits can cause a photo to be flagged. Your photo needs to be a real, recent photograph of you. Replacing the background and cropping is fine — altering your face is not.
FAQ
What is the Indian passport photo size in pixels? 630 × 810 pixels is the common digital equivalent of 35 × 45 mm at the correct 7:9 ratio. Confirm the exact requirement on the portal you are submitting to, as different portals sometimes state different pixel values.
Can I use a selfie? Yes, if it is sharp, evenly lit, front-facing and recent. Hold the phone at eye level, not above, and use the rear camera if you can — it is sharper.
Is a white shirt a problem? It can be. A white or very light top can blend into a white background. Wear a darker colour so your shoulders are clearly defined.
How recent does the photo need to be? Within the last six months, and it should look like you do now.
Can I smile? No. Neutral expression with the mouth closed.
Related: Passport photo rejected — how to fix it · Face size in passport photos · Take a passport photo at home · 10 rejection reasons · OCI photo size
PhotoFix is an independent private utility. We are not affiliated with the Government of India, UIDAI, MEA, any passport authority or any embassy. Requirements change — always confirm on the official portal before you submit.