Indian Passport Photo Size & Requirements — Online Maker
Official Indian passport photo size specifications (35x45mm), plain white background rules, and online photo preparation tool for Passport Seva applications.
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 Passport 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 Passport Photo
Target preset: India Photo (Domestic / 3.5x4.5 cm) (35 × 45 mm)
About Indian Passport Photo Requirements
Indian passport photograph specifications are regulated by the Ministry of External Affairs in alignment with international ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. For domestic applications submitted through the Passport Seva Portal, standard specifications mandate a 35 mm × 45 mm color photograph with a plain white background.
While adult applicants attending Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) have their digital photographs captured live by the counter executive, pre-prepared physical photographs are required for paper applications, Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK), and infant/child applicants under four years of age. Uploading a compliant digital photo is also required for select online application categories.
Ensuring proper lighting, a plain white backdrop, and appropriate head-to-frame proportions (70% to 80% of total height) prevents delays or rejection during document verification.
Common Reasons for Rejection
Official document processing centres and digital verification algorithms frequently reject photographs due to the following non-compliance issues:
- 1
Background is off-color, patterned, colored, or contains ambient shadows.
- 2
Head height does not occupy the mandated 70% to 80% vertical frame proportion.
- 3
Harsh shadows appear across the face, ears, or behind the head.
- 4
Applicant is wearing tinted glasses, sunglasses, or spectacles with flash reflections.
- 5
Non-neutral facial expression (e.g., wide smiling, mouth open, or squinting eyes).
- 6
Head is tilted, rotated, or photographed from a non-frontal perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the official photo size for an Indian passport application?
- Domestic Indian passport applications require a standard 35 mm × 45 mm (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) photograph. For applications submitted at Indian Embassies or Consulates abroad (overseas missions), a 2 × 2 inch (50.8 mm × 50.8 mm) photo is required.
- What background color is required for Indian passport photos?
- Official guidelines strictly require a plain white background with even, shadow-free illumination.
- Are spectacles allowed in Indian passport photographs?
- Spectacles are permitted only for medical reasons, provided the frames do not obscure the eyes and lenses have no glare or flash reflection. Tinted glasses and sunglasses are strictly prohibited.
- Do adult applicants need to bring printed photos to a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)?
- For adult applicants at standard PSKs, live digital photographs are captured on-site during your appointment. However, physical photographs meeting the 35 × 45 mm requirement are mandatory for infants under four years old, paper-based submissions, and certain POPSKs.
- What proportion of the photo should the face occupy?
- The facial area from the top of the head (including hair) to the bottom of the chin must cover between 70% and 80% of the total photograph height.
- Can I upload a selfie or crop a casual photo?
- No. Selfies generally introduce lens distortion and uneven lighting. Photographs must be captured straight-on with professional front-facing alignment and uniform lighting.