India Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Format, and Background Rules

Getting the photo right is one of the most critical steps in an Indian passport application. The Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in) has strict photo validation, and an incorrect photo will either get rejected at upload, or cause your application to be returned to you during processing — costing weeks of delay.

This guide covers the complete, up-to-date photo requirements for Indian passport applications in 2026, sourced from the official Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) guidelines.

Physical Photo Requirements

For in-person submission at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK):

Digital Photo Requirements (Passport Seva Portal Upload)

For the online application portal at passportindia.gov.in:

Note: The physical submission still requires printed 51×51mm photos even if you have uploaded digitally. Bring exactly 2 copies to your appointment.

Composition Rules

Background

The background must be completely plain white. Light shadows on the background (which occur when you stand too close to the wall) are not acceptable. Stand at least 60 cm from the white wall when taking the photo.

Face and Head Position

• Face the camera directly — no side angles or tilted head
• Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
• Neutral expression — no smile (even a slight smile can cause rejection)
• Both ears should ideally be visible
• Hair should not cover the eyes or eyebrows

Glasses

Eyeglasses are not permitted in Indian passport photos, regardless of whether they are prescription glasses or fashion eyewear. This rule was updated by the MEA in 2021 following ICAO biometric standards. Contact lenses are acceptable.

Head Coverings

Head coverings are only permitted if worn for established religious reasons. Even so, the full face from chin to forehead must be completely visible. The head covering must not cast any shadows on the face.

Common Reasons for Passport Photo Rejection

At the Portal (Automated Rejection)

1. Wrong file format — Uploading PNG or WebP instead of JPEG
2. File too small — Under 10KB
3. File too large — Over 500KB
4. Wrong dimensions — Non-square image or below 200×200 pixels

At the PSK (Manual Rejection by Officer)

1. Non-white background — Even slightly off-white or cream backgrounds are rejected
2. Shadow on face or background — Most common with home photos
3. Wearing glasses — Even if you have always worn glasses, new rules prohibit them
4. Photo too old — Taken more than 6 months before the application
5. Digital alteration — Background removed artificially, skin retouched, or colour-graded
6. Low print quality — Home-printed photos on plain paper instead of glossy photo paper

For Children and Infants

Children's passport photos follow the same technical specifications. However:

• Infants may have their eyes partially closed (acceptable for children under 6 months)
• Infants must be photographed alone — no adult hand or prop supporting the head should be visible
• For children under 5, a parent may hold the child but the parent must be completely outside the frame

How to Take Your Photo at Home

A professional studio is the safest option (and costs approximately ₹50–₹100 for a set of prints). However, if you prefer to take it at home:

1. Set up against a white wall — interior walls freshly painted white work best
2. Turn on all indoor lights to minimise shadows
3. Sit on a chair facing the camera (do not take a standing selfie)
4. Have someone else take the photo with a smartphone at eye level
5. Take 10–15 shots and select the best one
6. Check: Is the background fully white? Is the face centred and taking up 70–80% of the frame? Are there any shadows?

Once you have a good raw photo, use our formatter to ensure the digital specifications are met.