India Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Complete guide to india passport photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-01-10.
Indian passport photos must be 2x2 inches (51x51mm) with a plain white background and no borders or frames around the image. Religious head coverings such as turbans and hijabs are permitted, but the full face must remain visible with ears showing for non-religious coverings. For online Passport Seva applications, photos must be 600x600 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format, with a notably strict file size range of 10 KB to 1 MB. These specifications are enforced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through the Passport Seva portal. PassportPic formats your photo to MEA standards instantly, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Photo Specifications
| Photo Size | 2 inches x 2 inches |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 x 600 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background Colour | White |
| Head Size | 50-70% of frame height |
| File Format | JPEG |
| File Size | 10 KB - 1 MB |
| Document Type | Passport |
Photo Requirements
Facial Expression
Neutral expression with mouth closed
Glasses
Not recommended; if worn, no tinted lenses
Head Covering
Allowed for religious head coverings like turbans
Additional Requirements
- Photo must be taken within the last 3 months
- Must be a frontal view with full face visible
- No border or frame around the photo
- Photo must have adequate lighting with no shadows
- For online applications, file size between 10 KB and 1 MB
- Ears should be visible for non-religious head coverings
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong background
The background must be white — plain and uniform, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other people visible. Stand about half a metre in front of the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Head the wrong size or off-centre
Your head must occupy 50-70% of the frame height, centred, facing the camera square-on. Arm's-length selfies usually fail this measurement — have someone take the photo from 1.2–2 metres away, or use a tool that crops to the specification automatically.
Glasses problems
The rule for India Passport photos: not recommended; if worn, no tinted lenses. Glare, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes are among the most common causes of rejected photos worldwide.
Wrong expression
Required: neutral expression with mouth closed. Smiling with visible teeth, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head can fail automated biometric checks.
Shadows or uneven lighting
Light must fall evenly across your whole face — no shadows on the face or the background, no glare or red-eye from flash. Face a window or place two light sources at 45° either side of your face.
Wrong size or file format
Prints must measure exactly 2 inches x 2 inches; digital submissions need 600x600 pixels in JPEG format. A photo that looks fine but is sized or compressed wrong is rejected automatically.
For the full list with fixes, read the 12 most common passport photo rejection reasons, or follow our step-by-step at-home photo guide to avoid them from the start.
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Last updated
2026-01-10