Indian passport photo size

Quick answerAn Indian passport photo is 3.5 × 4.5 cm (35 × 45 mm). For online applications on Global Passport Seva, it is uploaded as a colour JPEG of 630 × 810 pixels. The background must be plain white, and the photo must show your full head, from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, with the top of your shoulders. Some Indian missions abroad ask instead for printed 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) photos.

Size at a glance

	3.5 × 4.5 cm	2 × 2 inch
Print size	35 × 45 mm	51 × 51 mm
Digital size	630 × 810 px (Global Passport Seva upload)	600 × 600 px at 300 dpi
Background	Plain white	Plain white
Head	Full head and top of shoulders; GPSP text says the face fills 80–85%	25–35 mm from chin to top of hair
Eyes	Open, level, clearly visible	28.6–33.9 mm from the bottom edge
Used for	Online applications at Indian missions (GPSP 2.0) and forms in India that ask for passport size	Printed photos for missions that ask for 2 × 2 inch

What the photo must show

The ICAO-based photo guidelines published by Indian missions ask for:

A recent colour photo, front view, looking straight at the camera with your head level.
Your full head from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and the top of your shoulders.
Eyes open and clearly visible, no hair across the eyes, mouth closed, natural expression.
Even lighting: no shadows on your face or the background, no flash glare, no red-eye.
No glasses, to avoid reflections.
Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead and both edges clearly visible.
Coloured clothing. White or heavily patterned tops are best avoided.
A plain white background, with the photo itself not retouched.

Common reasons photos get rejected

Background is not plain white, or has shadows behind the head.
Head too small, too large or tilted, or the top of the hair or the chin is cut off.
Glasses with glare, or hair covering the eyes.
Open mouth or a wide smile; the guidelines ask for a closed mouth.
Blurry or low-resolution photos, often from zooming in on a phone.
White clothes that blend into the white background.
Beauty filters or face retouching.

Printing a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo

Print the JPEG at 100% or "actual size" on photo paper, or ask a photo shop for a 3.5 × 4.5 cm print. A 630 × 810 px file prints at 35 × 45 mm at 457 dpi, which is sharp enough for any print shop.

Related guides

Make your 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo with a white background in about a minute.

Make my photo

Frequently asked questions

Is 3.5 × 4.5 cm the same as "passport size" in India?

Yes. In India, "passport size" usually means 3.5 × 4.5 cm (35 × 45 mm). Global Passport Seva uses the same shape as a 630 × 810 pixel upload.

What pixel size should I upload to Passport Seva?

630 × 810 pixels, in colour, with a plain white background, per the Global Passport Seva 2.0 guidelines published by Indian missions.

Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?

The guidelines ask you to take glasses off to avoid reflections.

Can I smile?

Keep a natural expression with your mouth closed. A wide smile showing teeth is a common reason for rejection.

Is 2 × 2 inch also valid?

Some Indian missions abroad ask for printed 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) photos with a 25–35 mm head. Check what your mission asks for.

Sources

PersonPhoto is an independent service, not affiliated with the Government of India, MEA or Passport Seva. Acceptance is always decided by the passport office or mission.