Indian PAN Card Photo Size & Requirements — Online Maker
Official PAN card photo dimensions (25x35mm / 213x213 px), white background guidelines, and max 50KB upload specifications for Protean NSDL & UTIITSL.
Official Photo Specifications
Requirements shown are for reference only. Always verify the latest requirements with the official source before submitting your application. This platform is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. Read full disclaimer →
Prepare Your Indian PAN Card Photo
Upload your photo to crop to exact dimensions, adjust the background to white, and download a printable A4 sheet or digital JPEG.
Upload Your Indian PAN Card Photo
Target preset: India PAN Card Photo (213x213 px) (25 × 35 mm)
About Indian PAN Card Photo Requirements
Permanent Account Number (PAN) applications in India are managed by the Income Tax Department and processed through authorized service portals, primarily Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL) and UTIITSL. The photograph requirements depend on whether you are submitting a physical Form 49A or completing an online paperless upload.
For physical paper submissions, the application form requires two recent color photographs measuring 2.5 cm × 3.5 cm (25 mm × 35 mm) affixed to the upper boxes. For digital portal uploads, Protean NSDL mandates a square JPEG image of 213 × 213 pixels with a file size not exceeding 50 KB.
Photos must be sharp, clear, front-facing, and shot against a plain white or light background to ensure high legibility when printed on the laminated PAN card.
Common Reasons for Rejection
Official document processing centres and digital verification algorithms frequently reject photographs due to the following non-compliance issues:
- 1
Uploaded digital image file exceeds the 50 KB maximum size limit.
- 2
Digital upload resolution does not match the mandated 213 × 213 pixel square format.
- 3
Photograph is stamped or signed across the face (signatures belong in the designated box, not over the right-side photo).
- 4
Background is dark, textured, or distracting rather than white or light.
- 5
Low image resolution or heavy pixelation caused by improper re-compression.
- 6
Photo is reused from an old physical card and exhibits noticeable wear or crease marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What photo size is required for an Indian PAN card?
- Physical PAN Form 49A requires 2.5 cm × 3.5 cm (25 mm × 35 mm) photographs. For online portal uploads on Protean NSDL, the requirement is 213 × 213 pixels in JPEG format.
- What is the maximum file size for PAN card digital photo uploads?
- The maximum allowed file size for digital photo upload on the Protean NSDL portal is 50 KB in JPEG format.
- What background color should be used for PAN card photos?
- A plain white or light-colored background with uniform lighting is required.
- Should I sign across my photo on the PAN application form?
- On physical Form 49A, you must sign across the photograph affixed on the left side, but the photograph affixed on the right side must NEVER be signed or stamped over.
- Can I use a combined photo and signature tool for PAN card preparation?
- Yes. Online PAN applications require both a compliant photograph (213 × 213 px, max 50 KB) and a scanned signature image (max 50 KB, JPEG). You can prepare both independently or with our photo + signature utility.