The rules for this document
These are the exact values we measure your photo against.
- Photo size
- 25 × 35 mm (295 × 413 pixels at 300 DPI)
- Head size
- Your head must fill 60–78% of the photo height Measured from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin. We aim for 70%.
- Eye position
- Your eyes must sit 58–72% of the way up from the bottom edge This is what keeps your face centred rather than too high or low.
- Background
- Plain white Plain and evenly lit, with no shadows, patterns or objects behind you.
- File format
- JPEG, between 5 KB and 200 KB We produce this automatically — you can upload any size photo.
- Glasses
- Allowed — no glare, no tint No reflections on the lenses and no tint — your eyes must be clearly visible.
- Head covering
- Religious reasons only Your full face, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, must remain visible.
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed Look straight at the camera with both eyes open. No smiling.
Source: Income Tax Department, India ↗ · last verified 22 May 2026
How to take a good photo
Do
- Stand about 50 cm in front of a plain, evenly lit wall
- Face soft daylight — a window is ideal
- Put the camera at eye height, roughly 1 metre away
- Look straight into the lens, chin level
- Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed
- Wear ordinary clothes that contrast with the background
- Use the rear camera and the timer, or ask someone to help
Don't
- Take a selfie at arm's length — it distorts your proportions
- Use direct flash, or stand with a window behind you
- Stand close to the wall, which casts a shadow
- Wear a hat, sunglasses or headphones
- Apply filters, beauty modes or retouching
- Crop or resize it yourself — send the original
- Include anyone else in the frame