Exam PhotoCheck the official notice before you upload. We read these rules in the documents named under Sources on 11 November 2026. A new notice can change them, and the form on the day is the final word. This site is not connected with any exam body.
What the notice says, upload by upload
Photograph
- A scanned photograph in .jpg format, not less than 20 KB and not more than 200 KB (CAPF 2026 notice).
- You upload this photo and also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form (Civil Services 2026 notice). Both must be clear.
Signature (three times)
- A scanned signature in .jpg format, not less than 20 KB and not more than 100 KB (CAPF 2026 notice).
- Sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink, and upload that as one image (Civil Services 2026 notice).
- The signatures must be clear and legible.
Resize my signature (three times) for UPSC
Three signatures on one sheet
This is the rule people miss most often. The Civil Services 2026 notice asks applicants to sign three times, one below the other, on a plain white paper using black ink, and to upload that while filling the Common Application Form.
- Take a clean white sheet and a black pen.
- Sign once. Leave a small gap, sign again below it, then a third time.
- Photograph the sheet from straight above in good light, or scan it.
- Crop close around the three signatures. The picture will be nearly square or a little tall, not a wide strip.
- Save it as a JPG between 20 and 100 KB.
Photo: upload one and take one
UPSC asks for both an uploaded photograph and a live photograph taken while you fill the form. The notice says both must be clear, as per the instructions on the portal. Use a recent photo that looks like you do today, because the two are compared.
About pixel sizes
The 2026 notices we read give file sizes but no pixel sizes. The FAQ of UPSC's earlier registration portal gives a range of 350 by 350 pixels at the least and 1000 by 1000 pixels at the most, with a file size of 20 to 300 KB. That FAQ may not apply to the current portal.
To stay safe under both, our resizer makes images between 350 and 1000 pixels on each side, inside the 2026 file sizes (photo 20 to 200 KB, signature 20 to 100 KB). The portal also has its own page, Instructions and FAQs, then Photos and Signature. Read it when you apply; we could not open that page ourselves on the day we checked.
Questions people ask
What is the UPSC photo size in KB?
The CAPF (ACs) 2026 notice says the photograph file should not exceed 200 KB and must not be less than 20 KB, in .jpg format.
What is the UPSC signature size in KB?
The CAPF (ACs) 2026 notice says the signature file should not exceed 100 KB and must not be less than 20 KB, in .jpg format.
Why does UPSC want three signatures?
The Civil Services 2026 notice asks applicants to sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink, and to upload that image. The notice does not give the reason.
Is a live photo needed for UPSC?
Yes. The Civil Services 2026 notice says applicants upload their photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form.
Sources
Every figure on this page was read in these official documents:
- Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE dated 04.02.2026, Civil Services Examination (Notes 2 and 3) (file dated 5 February 2026)
- Examination Notice No. 08/2026-CAPF, Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination (file dated 20 February 2026)
- FAQ of the earlier UPSC One Time Registration portal (question on photograph and signature size) (read on 11 November 2026)