New Passport Size Photo Rules India 2026: Complete Guide (35×45mm, ICAO Standards)
India changed passport photo rules from September 2025. The new standard size is 35×45mm (not 2×2 inches). Digital uploads must be exactly 630×810 pixels under 250KB.
Important Update
India changed its official passport photo requirements from September 1, 2025. If you are still using the old 2×2 inch (2×2 inch square) square format, your application will be rejected. Read this guide before submitting.
What Changed in September 2025?
The Government of India adopted the ICAO Doc 9303 international standard for passport photographs, making it mandatory from September 1, 2025. This is the biggest change to Indian passport photo rules in over a decade.
The Passport Seva Program 2.0 (PSP 2.0), launched in February 2026, further tightened these rules with automated AI-based photo checking at the upload stage. There is now zero tolerance — non-compliant photos are rejected immediately with no correction window.
Here is what changed:
- Size: Old 2×2 inch (2×2 inch square) square → New 35×45mm portrait rectangle
- Digital pixels: Old 350×350px → New 630×810 pixels exactly
- File size: New strict maximum of 250KB
- Background: Off-white and cream no longer accepted — pure white only
- Glasses: Completely banned (no exceptions without a medical certificate)
- AI editing: Any AI skin smoothing or background generation now flagged and rejected
New Passport Photo Size: 35×45mm Explained
The new official Indian passport photo size is 35mm (width) × 45mm (height) — a portrait rectangle, not a square.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm (3.5cm) |
| Height | 45mm (4.5cm) |
| Aspect Ratio | 7:9 |
| Shape | Portrait rectangle |
| Face Coverage | 80–85% of photo height |
| Head Height | 32–36mm from chin to crown |
Why Did India Change the Size?
The switch aligns India with the ICAO Doc 9303 international biometric standard used by over 190 countries. This makes Indian passports compatible with global e-gate systems and automated border control. The old square 2×2 inch format was a legacy standard not recognized by international biometric scanners.
What About OCI Card and Visa Photos?
This is where most people get confused:
- Indian Passport (Passport Seva): 35×45mm — new ICAO format
- OCI Card: Still 2×2 inches (2×2 inch square) — old square format
- US Visa from India: 2×2 inches (2×2 inch square)
- Schengen Visa: 35×45mm
- UK Visa: 45×35mm (note: width and height are reversed)
A photo made for one document will be rejected for another. Always confirm which size is required before creating your photo.
Digital Upload Requirements for Passport Seva
If you are applying online through the Passport Seva or mPassport portal, your digital photo must meet all of these specifications exactly:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG (.jpg) only — PNG, HEIC, WebP are silently rejected |
| Pixel Dimensions | Exactly 630 × 810 pixels |
| File Size | Between 10KB and 250KB |
| Background | Pure white — not off-white, cream, or light grey |
| Color Space | sRGB |
| Compression | Standard JPEG — no heavy compression artifacts |
Pro Tip
Smartphone cameras produce photos of 3–5MB. You must resize and compress significantly before uploading. Our free tool at PassportSizePhoto.in handles this automatically — it outputs an exactly 630×810px JPEG under 250KB.
Complete Checklist: Do's and Don'ts
DO'S
- ✅ White background — pure white only
- ✅ Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile
- ✅ Both ears visible — strongly recommended
- ✅ Eyes open & looking at camera — no squinting
- ✅ Even natural lighting — no harsh shadows
- ✅ Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
- ✅ Natural skin tone — no filters, no beauty mode
- ✅ Matte or semi-matte finish for prints
DON'TS
- ❌ No glasses — banned completely since 2020
- ❌ No colored or patterned background
- ❌ No smile — even slight smiles are rejected
- ❌ No head coverings — except for religious reasons
- ❌ No AI beauty filters or skin smoothing
- ❌ No PNG, HEIC, or WebP files for online upload
- ❌ No off-white backgrounds
- ❌ No colored contact lenses
- ❌ No hair covering face or eyes
Old Rules vs New Rules: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Rule | Before Sept 2025 | After Sept 2025 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Print Size | 2×2 inches (2×2 inch square) square | 35×45mm portrait rectangle |
| Digital Pixels | 350×350px minimum | Exactly 630×810px |
| Max File Size | 300KB | 250KB |
| Background | White or off-white accepted | Pure white only |
| Glasses | Strongly discouraged | Completely banned |
| Face Coverage | 70–80% | 80–85% (stricter) |
| AI skin editing | No specific rule | Rejected by PSP 2.0 system |
| Format | JPEG or PNG | JPEG only |
Common Mistakes That Get Photos Rejected in 2026
Based on the most frequent rejection reasons reported at Passport Seva Kendras and online portals in 2026:
1. Using the Old 2×2 Inch Square Format
This is now the #1 rejection reason. Many online tools, photo studios, and guides still default to 2×2 inch square. Always confirm you are getting the new 35×45mm format for Indian passport applications.
2. Slightly Off-White Background
Pure white looks different under warm indoor lighting. Yellowish or incandescent bulbs make white walls appear cream-colored in photos. The Passport Seva automated system flags backgrounds that appear white to the eye but register as slightly tinted. Use our tool to automatically replace your background with certified pure white (#FFFFFF).
3. Wrong Pixel Dimensions
The portal requires exactly 630×810 pixels. Photos that are close but not exact (like 600×800 or 640×820) are silently rejected — no error message is shown.
4. File Too Large
Modern smartphones produce 3–5MB photos. After resizing to 630×810px, you still need to compress to under 250KB. Many applicants miss this step.
5. Wearing Glasses
Even if you have worn glasses your entire life, they are not permitted in passport photos since 2020. Clear prescription contact lenses are fine.
6. Any Expression Other Than Neutral
India follows strict ICAO expression rules. Even a slight natural smile — acceptable in US passport photos — will be flagged and rejected in India.
7. AI-Enhanced Photos
PSP 2.0 launched in February 2026 actively detects beauty filters, skin smoothing, AI-generated backgrounds, and color correction. Compliance formatting (resizing, cropping, background removal) is acceptable. Altering your appearance is not.
How to Create a Compliant Passport Photo at Home
You do not need a photo studio. Follow these steps to create a government-compliant photo from home in under 5 minutes.
Step 1: Set Up Your Background
Stand 2–3 feet in front of a plain white wall. The distance prevents your shadow from falling on the background. If your wall is slightly off-white, do not worry — our tool replaces the background automatically.
Step 2: Use Natural Light
Sit or stand near a window facing you. Natural daylight gives even, shadow-free lighting. Avoid overhead lights, yellow bulbs, or direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows.
Step 3: Take the Photo
Ask someone to take the photo at your eye level (not from above or below). Hold a neutral expression — mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera. Do not smile.
Step 4: Upload to PassportSizePhoto.in
Go to PassportSizePhoto.in/edit and upload your photo. Our tool automatically:
- Removes and replaces your background with pure white
- Cropps and resizes to exactly 630×810 pixels
- Compresses to under 250KB
- Formats for Passport Seva, Aadhaar, and visa requirements
Step 5: Download and Submit
Download your photo as a JPEG. For online applications, upload directly to the Passport Seva portal. For physical submission, take the file to any local print shop and ask for a 35×45mm print on matte photo paper.
💰 Save 80% vs Studio Prices: A passport photo studio in India charges ₹100–500. PassportSizePhoto.in is completely free. Download unlimited photos, no registration required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2×2 inch size still accepted anywhere in India?
Yes — for OCI Card applications, the old 2×2 inch (2×2 inch square) square format is still required. For Indian Passport applications through Passport Seva, you must use the new 35×45mm format. For most visa applications from India, the required size varies by country.
Can I use my old passport photo for renewal?
No. Your renewal photo must meet the current 2026 ICAO standards — 35×45mm print size, 630×810 digital pixels, pure white background, no glasses.
My photo was rejected at Passport Seva but looks correct to me. Why?
The most common silent rejection reasons are: wrong pixel dimensions (not exactly 630×810), file size over 250KB, slightly off-white background, or any form of AI enhancement detected by PSP 2.0. Use our tool which outputs exact specifications.
Do I need a printed photo or digital photo?
For online applications through Passport Seva, you need a digital JPEG (630×810px, under 250KB). For in-person applications at a Passport Seva Kendra, you may need 2 printed photos in 35×45mm format on matte photo paper. Some PSKs take the photo on-site — confirm before your appointment.
Are colored contact lenses allowed?
Clear prescription contact lenses are allowed. Colored or cosmetic lenses that change your eye color may trigger additional verification and are best avoided.
What if I wear religious head covering?
Religious head coverings are permitted, but your entire face must be fully visible — from forehead to chin and ear to ear. No shadows should fall on the face.