Indian Passport Size Photograph: Current Requirements 2026
The photo requirements for an Indian passport depend on where and how you submit your application. For ordinary passport applications submitted at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), applicants generally do not need to carry a printed photograph because the photograph is captured at the centre. For applications submitted through certain other collection centres, Passport Seva specifies a recent colour passport-size photograph measuring 45 x 35 mm (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a plain white background.
Indian Passport Photo Transformation Examples
See how home photos are turned step-by-step into 45 × 35 mm (630 × 810 px) Indian passport size photographs with a plain white background:
Male Applicant Photo Transformation
Raw camera photo before background removal and cropping.
Background replaced with plain white; face centered to ICAO rules.
Final result — 45 × 35 mm / 630 × 810 px JPEG, ready to print or upload where a digital photo is required.
Female Applicant Photo Transformation
Original photo taken at home against a wall background.
Automatic background replacement and biometric face centering.
Final print & digital result meeting all official requirements.
Indian Passport Photo Size in cm and mm
If you need a physical photo for an Indian passport application where photographs are required, the specified photo size is 4.5 cm high × 3.5 cm wide (45 × 35 mm). For a digital file, 630 × 810 pixels gives the same proportions at print quality. This is a rectangular portrait format, not a 2 × 2 inch square. Passport Seva's current application instructions specify that the photograph should fit the provided 4.5 × 3.5 cm box.
- Size: 45 × 35 mm
- Size in centimetres: 4.5 × 3.5 cm
- Size in inches: about 1.77 × 1.38 in
- Digital size: 630 × 810 px
- Orientation: Portrait
- Shape: Rectangular
- Background: Plain white for the physical photograph requirements specified by Passport Seva
Photo Requirements for Indian Passport Applications
A compliant photograph should show the applicant's full face from the front, with the head centred in the frame. The eyes should be open and both sides of the face should be clearly visible. The expression should be natural, and the photograph should have good clarity and continuous-tone photographic quality. Passport Seva also states that distracting shadows should not appear on the face or background.
- Look directly at the camera.
- Keep a natural facial expression.
- Keep both eyes clearly visible.
- Centre the head in the frame.
- Keep both edges of the face visible.
- Use a plain white background where a physical photograph is required.
- Avoid shadows on the face and background.
- Use a clear colour photograph.
- Do not use a damaged, torn, creased or marked photograph.
- Religious head coverings are permitted, but the required facial features must remain clearly visible.
Do You Need a Passport Photo for an Indian Passport?
For ordinary applications submitted at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, a printed photograph is generally not required because the applicant's photograph is captured at the centre. For certain applications submitted through other collection centres, a recent colour photograph measuring 45 × 35 mm may be required. Always check the instructions applicable to your specific application before printing your photo.
Applying From Abroad: ICAO Photos for Indian Missions
If you are applying for a passport service at an Indian embassy, high commission or consulate outside India, the photo is usually supplied by you rather than captured at a centre. Indian missions have issued notices requiring ICAO-compliant photographs: a recent colour photo measuring 45 × 35 mm, a plain white background, the full face front-on and centred, eyes open and clearly visible, and no shadows or glare. Many missions ask for a 630 × 810 px digital photo. See the official mission notices linked at the end of this page, and check your own mission's instructions before you apply.
Indian Passport Photo for Children and Minors
For minor applicants below four years of age, Passport Seva advises applicants to carry a recent passport-size photograph measuring 4.5 × 3.5 cm with a white background when visiting the applicable Passport Seva centre. Official guidance for photographs of minors also specifies a 45 × 35 mm colour photograph and provides additional requirements for positioning, lighting, facial visibility and background.
Indian Passport Photo vs OCI Photo Size
Do not confuse an Indian passport photograph with an OCI photograph. The current official OCI FAQ specifies that the photograph uploaded with an OCI application must be square and have dimensions of at least 51 × 51 mm, with 80% face coverage. For the digital image, OCI specifies minimum dimensions of 200 × 200 pixels and maximum dimensions of 900 × 900 pixels, with JPEG/JPG format and a maximum file size of 200 KB. Applying for an Indian e-Visa instead? Use our India visa photo editor.
- Indian passport physical photo where required: 45 × 35 mm
- OCI uploaded photograph: Square, minimum 51 × 51 mm
- OCI digital dimensions: 200 × 200 to 900 × 900 pixels
- OCI face coverage: 80%
Convert a Photo to Indian Passport Size
If you need a physical Indian passport-size photograph for an application that requires one, you can use our Indian passport photo maker to prepare a correctly proportioned 45 × 35 mm photo. Upload a clear front-facing image, adjust the crop and download the result for printing.
- Upload your photo: Use a clear, front-facing colour photograph.
- Crop to passport proportions: Use the 45 × 35 mm portrait ratio for applications requiring the physical Indian passport photograph.
- Check the background and face: Make sure the face is clearly visible, centred and free from distracting shadows.
- Download and print: Export the prepared image and print it at the required physical dimensions.
Already have a photo? Run it through our free passport photo checker before you print it. If you are applying at a PSK or POPSK for an ordinary passport, remember that Passport Seva generally captures the photograph at the centre, so you may not need to print one.
Common Indian Passport Photo Problems
Common problems include incorrect dimensions, a non-white background when a physical photograph is required, poor lighting, shadows, unclear facial features, eyes being obscured, an off-centre head and photographs that are damaged or printed poorly. Passport Seva also specifies that photographs should be clear and have continuous-tone quality.
Indian Passport Size Photograph: Quick Summary
For applications where a physical Indian passport photograph is required, the current Passport Seva specification is 45 × 35 mm (4.5 × 3.5 cm), in colour, with a plain white background and a clear frontal view of the face. Ordinary passport applications submitted at PSK/POPSK generally use on-site photograph capture instead. OCI applications have separate requirements and use a square photograph of at least 51 × 51 mm.
Official Diplomatic Mission Guidelines
Official notices and guidelines issued by Indian diplomatic missions for ICAO compliant passport photographs:
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Indian passport size photo dimensions?
Where a physical photograph is required, Passport Seva specifies a recent colour photograph measuring 45 x 35 mm (4.5 x 3.5 cm). Ordinary applications at PSK or POPSK generally use photograph capture at the centre instead.
What is the Indian passport size photo in cm?
For applications that require a physical photograph, the specified size is 4.5 x 3.5 cm, or 45 x 35 mm. It is a portrait rectangle, not a 2 x 2 inch square.
Do I need a photo for an Indian passport application?
For ordinary passport applications submitted at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, a printed photograph is generally not required because the photograph is captured at the centre. Certain other application or collection methods may require a 45 x 35 mm photograph.
What is the photo size for an Indian passport renewal?
For ordinary re-issue or renewal applications at PSK or POPSK, the photograph is generally captured at the centre. Where a physical photograph is specifically required, Passport Seva's specified size is 45 x 35 mm (4.5 x 3.5 cm).
Is the Indian passport photo 2 x 2 inches?
No. You should not use 2 x 2 inches as the general current Indian passport photo requirement. For physical photographs required under Passport Seva instructions, the specified size is 45 x 35 mm (4.5 x 3.5 cm). OCI has a separate square-photo requirement.
What photo do I need when applying from outside India?
Indian embassies and high commissions require ICAO-compliant photographs for passport services abroad: a recent colour photo, 45 × 35 mm, with a plain white background and a clear, front-facing view of the full face. Many missions ask for a 630 × 810 px digital photo. Check the notice from your own mission before you apply.
What is the OCI photo size for India?
The official OCI portal specifies a square photograph with minimum dimensions of 51 x 51 mm and 80% face coverage. The digital image must be between 200 x 200 and 900 x 900 pixels and no larger than 200 KB.
Can I use the same photo for an Indian passport and OCI application?
Not necessarily. Indian passport and OCI applications have different photo specifications. A physical Indian passport photograph may be 45 x 35 mm where required, while OCI requires a square photograph of at least 51 x 51 mm.
Can I convert my photo to Indian passport size online?
Yes. You can crop a clear front-facing photo to the 45 x 35 mm portrait format when a physical Indian passport photograph is required. If you are applying at PSK or POPSK, check whether you need to bring a printed photograph because the photo is generally captured at the centre.