India Passport Photo Requirements 2026
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Official requirements from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (Passport Seva), checked against the source on the date above. Also covers OCI card and visa photos.
Quick Summary
35×45 mm (4.5×3.5 cm) photo, plain white background with dark-coloured clothing, neutral expression, face occupying 80–85% of the photograph. OCI and visa applications filed abroad use a 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) square photo instead.
Photo Dimensions
Indian passport photos must be 35 mm × 45 mm (4.5 cm length × 3.5 cm width) — the official Passport Seva application instructions describe this as the standard "passport size" photograph to be affixed to the application form. A common point of confusion: the 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inch) square format is not used for passports issued in India — it applies to OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards and Indian visa applications filed at Indian missions abroad.
The photo must be in colour, printed on good-quality photo paper with a clear, continuous-tone print, and must not be cut down from a larger group photograph. Importantly, if you apply at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), a printed photograph is not required at all — your photo is captured live at the counter. Printed photos are only needed for applications submitted at other collection centres such as District Passport Cells.
Face and Head Size Requirements
A close-up of the head and top of the shoulders is required, such that your face takes up 80–85% of the photograph — per the photo-capture guidelines published by Passport Seva (issued for minor applicants; the face-coverage standard applies to all passport photographs). In practice this means the head — from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin — fills roughly 36–38 mm of the 45 mm total photo height, and the head must be centred within the frame.
The photo should show a full frontal view of the face with both ears visible. There should be equal and adequate space above the head to prevent the appearance of the head being cropped. Photos where the face is too small, too large, or not centred are commonly rejected at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs).
Background Requirements
The Passport Seva instructions state that the background of the photograph should be plain white, and the dress should be in dark colour — photographs with a dark background or with the applicant in white or light uniform-style clothing are not accepted. Unlike the UK, which accepts cream or light grey, India strictly requires white. The background must be evenly lit with no shadows, patterns, textures, or gradients. The border area of the photo must also be white with no printed borders or frames.
A common issue when applying via the Passport Seva portal is that AI-based background removal tools sometimes leave artefacts or slightly grey backgrounds — these photos are frequently rejected. Use a physical white background for best results.
Expression and Pose
The expression must be neutral with the mouth closed. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Smiling is not permitted. Your face must look straight at the camera without any head tilt or rotation. Photographs taken at an angle are rejected.
The lighting must be even across the face with no harsh shadows on either side of the face or across the nose. Front-lit photography is recommended. Flash photography is acceptable if it does not cause overexposure, red-eye, or harsh shadows.
Glasses and Accessories
The official rules focus on eye visibility: photographs with eyes hidden under coloured or dark glasses are not accepted, and glare on eyeglass lenses must be avoided. In practice, removing glasses entirely is the safest choice — it eliminates the risk of glare or frames obscuring the eyes, and aligns with the global move away from glasses in biometric passport photos. Head coverings are not permitted except for genuine religious reasons — when worn, the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly visible. Sunglasses, tinted glasses, and fashion accessories are not allowed.
Photo Recency
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately represent your current appearance. Applications submitted with significantly outdated photos — for example, photos taken during a different phase of life — are subject to rejection.
Passport Seva Portal (Online Application) Specs
For online applications at passportindia.gov.in, the digital photo must meet these specifications:
- Format: JPEG (.jpg)
- Minimum dimensions: 200 × 200 pixels
- Recommended dimensions: 400 × 400 pixels
- Maximum file size: 1 MB
- Aspect ratio: matching the 3.5 × 4.5 cm printed photo
- Colour space: RGB
OCI Card Photo Requirements
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card applications use a different format from domestic passports: a 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) square photo with a plain white background and neutral expression — the same square format used for US passports. OCI applications are typically filed through Indian consulates abroad, and some consulates may have slightly different acceptance practices. Always verify with the specific consulate where you are applying.
Complete Specifications Table
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (4.5 × 3.5 cm) |
| OCI / visa (abroad) | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) |
| Face coverage | 80–85% of the photograph |
| Background | Plain white only (dark clothing) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | No dark or coloured glasses; avoid lens glare |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Digital format | JPEG only |
| Digital max size | 1 MB |
| Recommended px | 400 × 400 pixels |
Common Rejection Reasons at PSK/POPSK
- Background not pure white (grey, cream, or textured)
- Shadows on the background or face
- Face not centred or head tilted
- Photo printed at incorrect size
- Photo older than 6 months
- Smiling expression
- Eyes not fully open or obscured
- Head covering (non-religious)
- Red-eye in photo
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Create your Indian passport photo — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo taken at a studio for an Indian passport?
Yes, studio photos are perfectly acceptable as long as they meet all the specifications. Most professional photo studios in India are familiar with passport photo requirements. Always check the dimensions and background before submitting.
How many photos do I need for an Indian passport application?
Usually none in print. If your appointment is at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK, your photograph is captured live at the counter, so printed photos are not required — the online form only asks for one digital photo upload. Printed photos (two identical 35×45 mm prints, one pasted and self-attested on the form) are needed only at other collection centres such as District Passport Cells.
Can I wear a saree or salwar kameez in my passport photo?
Yes. Traditional Indian attire including sarees, salwar kameez, and kurtas are all acceptable. The clothing must not be white (as it would blend with the background) and must not obscure the face or neck area.
Sources
- Passport Seva — Instructions for Filling of Passport Application Form (Government of India) — official photo specifications (verified 7 July 2026)
- Passport Seva — photo capture guidelines — published for minor applicants; the 80–85% face-coverage standard applies to all photographs
- ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents — international biometric portrait standard