Sarkari Exam Photo, Signature & Document Guidelines
Avoid instant application rejection. Over 50,000 candidates are disqualified every year due to minor photo, signature, and certificate formatting errors. Review verified official specifications below.
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Commission-Wise Document Matrix
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SSC CGL / CHSL / MTS / CPO / GD
File Size: 20 KB to 50 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 450 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: Plain White or Light Off-White
File Size: 10 KB to 20 KB
Dimensions: 400 × 200 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Must be in running handwriting on white paper. Capital / BLOCK letters signature will be summarily rejected.
- Wearing sunglasses, power spectacles, or caps in photograph
- Blurry or shaded background instead of clean white
- Signing in CAPITAL / BLOCK letters
- File size exceeding 50 KB or under 20 KB
UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS) / NDA / CDS
File Size: 20 KB to 300 KB
Dimensions: 500 × 500 px (4.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: Plain White Background
⚠️ Mandatory: Candidate Name & Date of Photo (DOP) printed at bottom strip!
File Size: 20 KB to 300 KB
Dimensions: 500 × 350 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Running handwriting on pure white paper with high contrast.
- Missing Name or Date of Photograph (DOP) at the bottom
- Photograph older than 10 days from notification date
- Facial area occupying less than 75% of the frame
- Uploading a password-protected Aadhaar PDF
IBPS PO / Clerk / SO / RRB
File Size: 20 KB to 50 KB
Dimensions: 200 × 230 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: Light-coloured, preferably pure white
File Size: 10 KB to 20 KB
Dimensions: 140 × 60 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
White paper with black ink. Capital letters strictly forbidden.
- Handwritten declaration typed or written in CAPITAL letters
- Signature in CAPITAL letters
- Smudged or illegible left thumb impression
- Photo file size outside 20 KB to 50 KB range
SBI PO / SBI Junior Associates (Clerk)
File Size: 20 KB to 50 KB
Dimensions: 200 × 230 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: White or Light Background
File Size: 10 KB to 20 KB
Dimensions: 140 × 60 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Black ink only. Running script signature on white paper.
- Using blue ink instead of mandatory black ink for declaration or signature
- Thumb impression inverted or poorly scanned
- Photo dimensions distorted during manual crop
RRB NTPC / Group D / ALP / Technician / JE
File Size: 30 KB to 70 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 450 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: Plain White Background
File Size: 30 KB to 70 KB
Dimensions: 400 × 200 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Sign in running handwriting across white paper. Block letters cause immediate form rejection.
- Selfie photos or low-light mobile phone crops
- Signature size under 30 KB or over 70 KB
- Signature written in capital letters
UP Police Constable / Sub-Inspector (SI)
File Size: 20 KB to 50 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 450 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: White or Very Light Grey Background
File Size: 5 KB to 20 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 150 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Clear signature on white background without background paper shadow.
- Coloured or patterned background in photo
- Signature size exceeding 20 KB
- Failure to scan white paper evenly
UPPSC PCS / RO ARO
File Size: 20 KB to 50 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 450 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: White or Light Off-White
File Size: 5 KB to 20 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 150 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Single running signature on white paper.
- Blurry or low DPI scanning causing pixelation upon zoom
- Signature cut off at the edge of the crop box
CTET / State TET / KVS / NVS
File Size: 10 KB to 100 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 450 px (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Background: White Background
File Size: 3 KB to 30 KB
Dimensions: 350 × 150 px
Ink: Black Ink Pen
Black ink running handwriting on white unruled paper.
- Signature on lined / ruled notebook paper
- File size smaller than 10 KB or larger than 100 KB
IBPS & SBI Handwritten Declaration Text (2026)
Candidates must write this exact statement in their own handwriting using a black ink pen on clean unruled white paper. Text written by another person or typed in capital letters will result in cancellation of candidature.
Top 10 Document Rejection Traps to Avoid
Wearing Power Glasses or Sunglasses
SSC and UPSC mandate no spectacles whatsoever in application photos. Flash reflection on lenses causes immediate AI filter rejection.
Capital Letter Signature
Signatures written in BLOCK / CAPITAL letters (e.g. "RAHUL SHARMA") are strictly invalid. Always sign in running cursive hand.
Password-Protected Aadhaar PDF
Uploading encrypted UIDAI e-Aadhaar PDFs fails server validation. Always remove password before uploading using our Unlock PDF tool.
Missing Name & Date in UPSC Photos
UPSC photos require candidate name and date of photo (DOP) printed clearly at the bottom strip. Photos without DOP are rejected.
Selfie or Cropped Group Photos
Casual mobile selfies with angled perspectives or background objects fail automated facial detection software during exam hall entry.
Blue Ink Signatures
IBPS, SBI, and RRB explicitly require BLACK ink. Blue ink signatures often scan with poor contrast on grayscale CBT biometric systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do government exam commissions reject candidate photographs?
The top reasons for photograph rejection are: wearing spectacles or caps, dark or patterned backgrounds instead of plain white, facial features occupying less than 70% of the image, blurred images, and missing candidate name and date of photo (DOP) where mandatory (such as UPSC).
Is signing in CAPITAL or BLOCK letters allowed in government exams?
No. Commissions including SSC, UPSC, IBPS, and RRB explicitly state that signatures written entirely in CAPITAL / BLOCK letters are invalid and will lead to automatic rejection of the application form. Signatures must be in running handwriting.
What is the text for IBPS and SBI handwritten declaration?
The standard text is: "I, _______ (Name of the candidate), hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required." It must be written by the candidate in their own handwriting using black ink on white paper.
What ink color should be used for signatures and thumb impressions?
Signatures must strictly be in black ink pen on clean unruled white paper. Left thumb impressions can be in blue or black stamp pad ink, ensuring clear ridge patterns without smudging.
What is the maximum age of the photograph allowed for government exam forms?
SSC and most other commissions require photographs to be recent — taken within 3 to 6 months of the application date. UPSC specifies the photo must not be older than 10 days from the date of the application. Avoid using passport photos older than 6 months.
What happens if I upload an incorrect photo or signature format?
Incorrect photo or signature files typically result in one of three outcomes: (1) the portal blocks the upload immediately showing an error, (2) the application is submitted but rejected at document verification stage, or (3) the candidate is disqualified during skill test or interview scrutiny. Always verify specifications before submission.