Applying for a new PAN card or requesting a reprint/correction requires uploading a photograph and signature through either the NSDL (protean eGov Technologies) portal or the UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services (UTIITSL) portal. Both portals have specific photo specifications, and the requirements differ slightly between them.
This guide covers the exact specifications for both portals, common rejection reasons, and how to format your photo correctly before upload.
PAN Card Photo Formatter
Format your PAN card photo to NSDL and UTI specifications. Correct dimensions, file size, and JPEG format — all handled in your browser. Free and private.
NSDL (Protean) PAN Card Photo Specifications
The NSDL online PAN application at onlineservices.nsdl.com requires:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| File Size | 20 KB to 120 KB |
| Dimensions | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (200×260 pixels at 72 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Photo Type | Recent, clear colour photograph |
| Glasses | Not recommended (follow ICAO guidelines) |
NSDL Signature Specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| File Size | 10 KB to 100 KB |
| Background | White |
UTI (UTIITSL) PAN Card Photo Specifications
The UTI portal at myutiitsl.com has slightly different requirements:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| File Size | 5 KB to 50 KB |
| Dimensions | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm |
| Background | Plain white |
| Photo Type | Recent passport-size photo |
Key difference: UTI has a stricter file size cap of 50KB versus NSDL's 120KB. Many applicants whose photos work on the NSDL portal find them too large for UTI.
UTI Signature Specifications
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| File Size | 5 KB to 50 KB |
| Background | White |
Compress Photo to 50KB
Get your PAN card photo within the UTI 50KB limit or NSDL 120KB limit. Automatic target-based compression — no quality guesswork.
Common PAN Card Photo Rejection Reasons
Portal Rejection (Automated)
- Wrong file format — Uploading PNG or WebP instead of JPEG
- File too large — Exceeding the 50KB (UTI) or 120KB (NSDL) limit
- File too small — Under 5KB for UTI or 20KB for NSDL
- Non-JPEG extension — Renaming a PNG to
.jpgwithout actually converting the format
Manual Rejection During Processing
- Non-white background — Photograph taken against a coloured or patterned background
- Photo too old — PAN authorities require a recent photo (within 6–12 months)
- Poor photo quality — Blurry, low-resolution, or pixelated photos
- Signature on coloured paper — Signature must be on plain white paper with black or blue ink
Difference Between PAN Application Types
Fresh PAN Application (Form 49A for Indian citizens): New PAN for individuals, companies, or HUFs who do not have a PAN card. Standard photo and signature required.
PAN Correction/Reprint (CSF Form): For name changes, address updates, or requesting a reprint of a damaged/lost card. The portal still requires a fresh photograph that meets current specifications — you cannot reuse your old PAN photo.
e-PAN (Digital PAN): A digitally signed PDF version of the PAN card delivered to your registered email. The same photo upload requirements apply, but the turnaround is faster (within 24 hours if Aadhaar-based verification succeeds).
How to Handle the NSDL vs UTI Format Difference
The safest approach is to format your photo for the stricter specification (UTI's 50KB) — this will always work on both portals. Our PAN photo formatter defaults to 45KB output, which is:
- ✅ Within NSDL's 20–120KB range
- ✅ Within UTI's 5–50KB range
This means you only need to format your photo once for use on either portal.
PAN Card Photo Formatter
Format once, use on both NSDL and UTI portals. Automatic 45KB output with correct portrait dimensions. Free, no upload.
Step-by-Step: Uploading Your PAN Photo Correctly
- Take a fresh passport-size photo against a white background (within 6 months)
- Scan at 200 DPI and save as JPG, or photograph the print with a smartphone
- If the file is PNG, convert to JPG using our PNG to JPG converter
- Use our PAN Card Photo Formatter to compress to ~45KB and verify dimensions
- For the signature: sign on a blank white sheet, scan/photograph in landscape orientation, save as JPG
- Upload both to your chosen portal (NSDL or UTI) and verify the preview
If the portal rejects your upload despite the correct specifications, try a different browser. Older versions of Internet Explorer and some mobile browsers have upload compatibility issues with government portals — use Chrome or Firefox for the most reliable experience.