Indian Passport Photo Size & Requirements — Complete Guide (2026)

A rejected passport photo is one of the most common reasons for passport application delays in India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strict guidelines on photo dimensions, background, face coverage, and file specifications that every applicant must follow.

Whether you are applying for a fresh passport or renewing an existing one through the Passport Seva portal, your photo must meet exact specifications. This guide covers everything from the correct size in mm and pixels to background color rules, approved accessories, and step-by-step conversion.

Official Indian Passport Photo Specifications

Dimensions 35 × 45 mm

Pixel Equivalent 630 × 810 px

Resolution (DPI) 300 DPI

File Format JPEG

Max File Size 100 KB

Background Plain white

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Indian Passport Photo Rules — What MEA Requires

The MEA follows ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards for passport photos. These international standards ensure that passport photos are consistent across all countries and can be used for biometric verification at airports.

Photo Composition Rules

Requirement	Specification
Face coverage	70% to 80% of the photo frame
Head position	Centered, facing forward, looking directly at camera
Expression	Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed
Background	Plain white or off-white, no shadows or patterns
Eye height from bottom	Approximately 60% of photo height
Lighting	Even, no shadows on face or background

Glasses and Accessories Rules

The MEA has specific rules regarding what you can wear in your passport photo:

Glasses: It is highly recommended to remove glasses. If you must wear them, ensure there is no glare on the lenses, the frames do not cover your eyes, and they are not tinted.
Head coverings: Allowed only for religious reasons. The face must be fully visible from forehead to chin with no shadows cast by the covering.
Hair: Should not cover the face or eyes. If you have long hair, keep it behind your ears.
Uniforms: Do not wear military, police, or other official uniforms. Regular civilian clothes are required.
Jewelry: Minimal and not obscuring any facial features.

Step-by-Step Guide to Convert Your Passport Photo

Take a suitable photo against a plain white or light-coloured wall in natural lighting. Ensure your face is clearly visible and centred.

Upload your photo to ilovephoto.in. You can drag and drop or click to browse. Supports JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, HEIC.

Select "Passport (India)" preset from the dropdown. This auto-applies 630×810 px at 300 DPI.

Adjust the background to pure white using the Background Color tool if needed.

Zoom and crop so your face occupies 70–80% of the frame. Use the crop tool with 35:45 aspect ratio for precision.

Download the final photo. The tool compresses it to stay under 100 KB while maintaining quality.

Passport Photo Size in Different Units

Unit	Dimensions
Millimetres (mm)	35 × 45 mm
Centimetres (cm)	3.5 × 4.5 cm
Pixels (at 300 DPI)	630 × 810 px
Pixels (at 200 DPI)	413 × 531 px
Inches	1.38 × 1.77 inches

Common Reasons for Passport Photo Rejection

Reason	Solution
Face too small in the frame	Face should cover 70–80% of the photo
Background not plain white	Use our background tool to set to pure white
Glasses glare or tinted lenses	Remove glasses or retake without them
Shadows on face or background	Use even, diffused lighting
Eyes closed or not looking at camera	Face directly forward with both eyes open
Smiling or non-neutral expression	Keep a neutral expression with mouth closed
Wearing uniform or hat	Wear plain civilian clothes
Photo too old (over 6 months)	Use a recent photo

Passport Photo vs Other Government Documents

Each Indian government document has different photo requirements. Here is how the passport photo compares:

Document	Dimensions	DPI	Max Size
Passport	35×45 mm (630×810 px)	300	100 KB
PAN Card	25×35 mm (200×276 px)	200	50 KB
Voter ID	35×45 mm (413×531 px)	300	2 MB
Driving Licence	35×45 mm (420×525 px)	300	50 KB

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact passport photo size in mm for India? The exact size is 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall at 300 DPI. This is equivalent to 630 × 810 pixels.

Is a white background mandatory for Indian passports? Yes, a plain white or off-white background is required. Avoid coloured walls, patterns, or gradients.

Can I wear glasses in my passport photo? It is highly recommended to remove them. If you must wear glasses, ensure no glare and that your eyes are clearly visible.

What is the ideal face coverage for a passport photo? Your face should occupy 70% to 80% of the photo frame. The distance from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head should be about 32 mm.

What file size is required for passport photo upload? The maximum file size is 100 KB at 300 DPI in JPEG format.

Can I use my passport photo for other documents? No. Each government form has unique requirements. PAN card needs 200×276 px at 200 DPI, while Voter ID requires 35×45 mm in colour. Always use the correct preset for each document.

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