Last reviewed: 15 October 2026
UPSC CSE, NDA and CDS all upload through the same UPSC OTR (One-Time Registration) portal, so they share one set of file rules. The part that trips most candidates is the signature: UPSC wants three signatures on a single sheet, not one. The other is newer: the form also takes a live photograph of you and checks it against the photo you upload. Here is what UPSC's upload instructions actually say, and how to get every step right in one pass.
Quick answer
- Photo: 20–200 KB, JPG, plain white background, face covering about 75% of the frame. UPSC publishes no fixed pixel size, aspect ratio, or name/date strip.
- Signature: sign your name three times vertically on a single plain white sheet in black ink, then upload it as a single 350–500 pixel JPG of 20–100 KB.
- Live photo: taken during the application with a webcam or a phone, and matched with your uploaded photo.
- Before you apply: read the current notification — UPSC can add cycle-specific rules such as a photo-recency window.
- Upload at the UPSC OTR portal: upsconline.nic.in.
What are the UPSC CSE photo and signature specs for 2026?
UPSC CSE uses the same OTR (One-Time Registration) portal as NDA and CDS. The specs below are confirmed across the UPSC OTR portal instructions and the notification published by UPSC. Confirm the figures for your specific cycle before applying.
| Field | Photo | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Format | JPG / JPEG only | JPG / JPEG only |
| File size | 20–200 KB | 20–100 KB |
| Pixel dimensions | No fixed size published | 350–500 px |
| Background | Plain white | White paper, clean |
| Name + date on image | Not required by UPSC | — |
| Face coverage | About 75% of frame | — |
| Recency | Per notification, if stated | — |
| Ink colour | — | Black |
| Signature count | — | Three, written vertically on one sheet |
A note on the photo ceiling: some coaching sources cite 300 KB. UPSC's current OTR portal instructions publish a 20–200 KB photograph, so target 200 KB as the ceiling and confirm the figure in the official notification PDF at upsc.gov.in before applying.
Does UPSC CSE require a square photo, or name and date on it?
No. UPSC's instructions publish no fixed photo pixel size and no aspect ratio, so the instructions do not impose a square crop. They also do not ask for a name-and-date strip on the image. What UPSC does specify is the file format (JPG), the 20–200 KB size band, a plain white background, and a face covering about 75% of the frame. If a future notification adds a requirement, follow the notification.
What is the UPSC live photograph, and how do you take it?
Under UPSC's current instructions, a live photograph is compulsory for every UPSC examination, CSE included; the application can't be submitted without it. It is a second picture, taken while you fill in the form, on top of the photo file you upload.
- Choose how to take it: with your computer's web camera, or by scanning the QR code on screen and using your phone's camera.
- Face a good light source so your face shows clearly, then capture.
- Use “View Photo” to look at the saved image before moving on.
UPSC matches the live photograph against your uploaded one. A mismatch blocks the rest of the application, so don't upload an old photo from a previous attempt if you look different now.
Why does UPSC CSE require three signatures — and how do you prepare them?
UPSC requires candidates to write their signature three times on a single sheet of white paper, with the three signatures arranged vertically, one below the other, in black ink. You photograph or scan this one sheet and upload it as a single image file; the portal does not take three separate files. UPSC doesn't explain why it wants three, but it is strict about the result: a signature file that breaks its rules is rejected. The image must be clear, sharp and well lit, hold exactly three signatures, and sit the right way up.
- Paper: plain white, with no lines and no colour.
- Sign three times vertically in black ink, leaving enough space between the signatures that they don't touch.
- Photograph flat in even overhead light. Check that no shadow falls across any of the three signatures.
- Upload the single image through the UPSC signature resizer. It cleans the paper background and outputs a JPG inside the 20–100 KB band. Name the file
signature.
How does UPSC CSE compare to NDA and CDS for photo requirements?
They follow one instruction sheet on the same OTR portal, so nothing above changes for NDA or CDS: the two KB bands, the three black-ink signatures at 350–500 pixels and the live photo all apply as written. What can differ is the notification for a cycle, which may add a rule of its own, such as how recent the photo must be.
The safe habit for a cross-applicant is to take a fresh photo for each application rather than reuse an old file; a current photo also passes the live-photo match more easily. For the full NDA and CDS photo guide, see the NDA & CDS photo and signature guide.
What are the most common UPSC CSE photo rejection reasons?
The UPSC portal returns a generic error without naming the failed check. These are the causes most worth eliminating before uploading:
| Rejection cause | The fix |
|---|---|
| File above 200 KB | Compress with the UPSC photo resizer — most phone photos are 2–5 MB |
| File below 20 KB | The resizer targets the full 20–200 KB band; compressing to a tiny size fails the floor check |
| Non-white background | Use the white background tool first, then resize |
| Face too small in frame | Recrop so the face covers about 75% of the frame before resizing |
| Signature: fewer than three / inconsistent style | Write all three on one sheet in one sitting — same ink, same style, consistent size; photograph as one image |
| Live photograph and upload look like different people | Replace the uploaded file with a current photo, then capture the live one again |
For the full breakdown of rejection patterns across all Indian exam portals, see why exam photos and signatures get rejected.
How to prepare your UPSC CSE photo and signature — complete workflow
For the photo, in this order:
- Take a fresh photo: plain white wall, no shadows, face filling about 75% of the frame.
- Resize for UPSC. Run the image through the UPSC photo resizer. It outputs a JPG inside the 20–200 KB band on a clean white background.
- Save as
photo.jpg. The UPSC portal expects this filename.
For the signature:
- Sign three times vertically on a single plain white sheet in black ink, with space between each.
- Photograph flat in even light; no shadow should fall across any of the three signatures.
- Run through the UPSC signature resizer. It cleans the background and compresses to the 20–100 KB band. Nothing leaves your browser.
For UPSC-specific requirement details and links to the official notification PDFs, see the exam requirements directory. For a side-by-side comparison of all major exam specs, see the photo and signature size guide for all exams.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UPSC CSE photo size the same as NDA and CDS?
Yes — all three use the same UPSC OTR portal: a 20–200 KB JPG photo on a plain white background with about 75% face coverage, a three-signature sheet (350–500 pixels, 20–100 KB), and a live photo during the application. The photo has no fixed pixel size, no square requirement and no name/date strip. Any recency window is set per notification, so read the one for your cycle.
Why does UPSC CSE require three signatures?
UPSC's instructions require it but don't give a reason. What they do set out: sign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, and upload all three in one JPG that measures 350–500 pixels and stays within 20–100 KB. A file with fewer than three signatures is rejected.
Does UPSC require a square photo or a name-and-date strip?
No. UPSC's instructions publish no fixed photo pixel dimensions and no aspect ratio, so a normal passport-style portrait is fine — there is no square-crop rule — and they do not ask for a name or date printed on the image. UPSC specifies the JPG format, the 20–200 KB size band, a plain white background, and roughly 75% face coverage.
Can I reuse my Prelims photo for the UPSC Mains DAF?
The Mains Detailed Application Form requires a photo that matches your Prelims application photo and your current appearance. If your appearance has changed since the Prelims application, take a fresh photo. Confirm the exact DAF photo requirements in the official UPSC Mains notification at upsc.gov.in.
My UPSC CSE photo is 220 KB — will it be accepted?
No — 220 KB is over the ceiling. UPSC's current OTR portal instructions set a 20–200 KB band for the photo, so compress to 200 KB or below. Some older coaching-site guides cite 300 KB; treat the official notification as authoritative and confirm before submitting.