Passport, visa, PAN, Aadhaar and common ID photo formats
Compare the document size first, then prepare a clean white-background photo with the right crop, resolution, and export format.
Last reviewed: July 20, 2026 | By Prabir Sarkar
Before you create the photo
For many Passport Seva appointments inside India, the applicant photo is captured at the PSK. Printed photos are needed only when the official checklist asks for them, such as some minor or mission-specific cases.
Visa, PAN, Aadhaar, driving licence, and exam forms can use different sizes. Do not reuse one crop blindly; choose the document first and check the size shown below.
One standard daily download is available for quick use. Use the HD print-ready export when you need a 300 DPI sheet or multiple copies on photo paper.
The standard Indian passport photo is 51 x 51mm (2 x 2 inches) with white background. Face should cover 70-80% of the photo area.
HereEUR s what a properly formatted Indian passport photo looks like - white background, neutral expression, 51 x 51mm dimensions, face covering 70-80%.
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India's passport photo requirements are governed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and enforced through the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) network. Indian passport photos have a unique specification compared to most countries - they must be 51 x 51mm (2 x 2 inches) with a white background, whereas many Indian ID documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards have different size requirements. This often causes confusion among applicants.
The photo must be recent (taken within the last 3 months), in color, and show a clear front view of your face against a plain light-colored or white background. Both ears should be visible, and there should be no shadows on the face or background. The MEA strictly enforces that the face should cover 50-70% of the photograph area. Religious head coverings are permitted provided the face is fully visible.
India has an extensive passport processing infrastructure with over 500 locations:
All applications must be submitted through the Passport Seva Portal (passportindia.gov.in) before visiting a PSK. Walk-in appointments are not accepted.
India uses multiple photo specifications across different government documents, which can be confusing:
Normal passport processing in India takes 15-30 working days. The tatkal (urgent) service costs an additional 2,000 and typically processes within 1-3 working days. A fresh 36-page passport for adults (ages 18+) costs 1,500, while a 60-page jumbo passport costs 2,000. Minor applicants (under 18) are issued 36-page passports valid for 5 years at 1,000.