Passport Photo Dimensions, Background & Sizing Guide for India
Official dimensional specifications (3.5cm x 4.5cm), pixel equivalents, background standards, and file size limits for Indian passports and visas.
Standard Indian passport photos require a 35mm × 45mm (3.5cm × 4.5cm) size with 70%–80% facial coverage, a plain light or white background, neutral facial expression, and file size between 20KB and 50KB for online uploads.
Why It Matters
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and visa portals automatically reject application photos that have non-compliant aspect ratios, busy backgrounds, heavy shadows, or incorrect pixel dimensions (typically 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI).
Step-by-Step Workflow
1. Capture Neutral Photo
Take a front-facing headshot in bright, even lighting against a plain wall with both ears visible.
2. Isolate Background
Use ToolMela Background Remover to ensure a solid, artifact-free white or light gray background.
3. Crop to 35x45mm
Use Passport Photo Maker to frame the face between 70% and 80% of the total height.
4. Compress to 20–50KB
Export the JPEG file within the exact byte range specified by the application portal.
An applicant needs to upload a fresh passport photo to the Passport Seva portal. They take a smartphone portrait, remove the home background, set the frame to 3.5 × 4.5 cm, and export a clean 42KB JPEG ready for immediate upload.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Technical Realities & Limitations
Physical consular submissions may require glossy photographic paper prints; ensure your local printer prints at 300 DPI or higher.
Apply This Workflow With ToolMela Utilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear eyeglasses in passport photos?
Prescription glasses are allowed only if there is zero glare on the lenses and the eyes remain completely visible; tinted or sunglass lenses are strictly prohibited.
What is the pixel dimension of 3.5cm x 4.5cm at 300 DPI?
At 300 DPI, 35mm × 45mm corresponds to exactly 413 pixels wide by 531 pixels high.