Last Updated: 8 July 2026
In India a passport photo must be in colour and the dimensions of the photo must be 4.5 × 3.5 cm (45 mm × 35 mm). The photo must be taken with the applicant facing ahead with a neutral expression. The person's proper face should cover about 80–85% of the passport photo.
This is the positive thing for a majority of individuals: if you visit a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) for the submission of your passport application, you will hardly need to bring along a printed photograph. It will be issued by the personnel at the passport desk. There are only very few exceptions when it is necessary to bring a physical photo.
Overview: Passport Photo Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 4.5 × 3.5 cm (45 mm × 35 mm) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Colour | Colour photo only (not black-and-white) |
| Face coverage | Face fills 80–85% of the photo, full head visible |
| Expression / dress | Neutral, natural expression; eyes open; no cap or sunglasses |
| When you must bring one | Not needed at a PSK counter; required for children below 4 years and some paper-form routes |
What is the correct passport size photo dimension in India?
The required dimensions for a passport photograph in India would be 45 mm × 35 mm (4.5 × 3.5 cm). These dimensions have been prescribed in the official guidelines for the Passport Seva application form and has been updated in accordance with the new ICAO standards with respect to the passport framework.
Is a 2 × 2 inch photo valid for an Indian passport?
The older web pages have been claiming that the size of passport photos is 2 inches by 2 inches, which is what US passport photos call for. However, Indian passport pictures have to be sized as 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm.
How should the head and shoulders be framed?
The whole image must contain only the head of the person and some part of the shoulders. The picture can be a straight picture of the person's head; thus it must not have any other part of the body except for the face up to the chin.
What are the rules for a passport photo?
Photo specification checklist
| Rule | What you need |
|---|---|
| Size | 4.5 × 3.5 cm (45 mm × 35 mm) |
| Colour | Colour, with natural skin tones |
| Background | Plain white, no patterns or objects |
| Face position | Front view, head centred, eyes open and clearly visible |
| Face coverage | Face takes up 80–85% of the frame |
| Lighting | Even lighting, no shadows, no flash reflection, no red-eye |
| Expression | Natural and neutral; mouth closed |
| Print quality | Sharp, continuous-tone print, not printed on plain paper |
Can I wear spectacles in a passport photo?
Definitely, you can wear spectacles, but there are some restrictions regarding this subject. For example, one cannot put on a pair of sunglasses or any tinted glasses. This is due to the fact that if there is glare on the clear spectacles, it will render the photo unacceptable.
Can I wear a head covering in a passport photo?
All forms of head-wear except for religious ones are disallowed. In this instance, even when there is head-wear, the face must be exposed completely from chin to forehead and from both sides of the person.
What should I wear for a passport photo?
When wearing normal everyday clothing, do not use a bright dress. Dark colours should be preferred and you need to choose clothes depending on what type of activities you are going to perform. Hair should be done in such a way so as to ensure that both your eyes are fully visible.
Do I need to bring a photo for my passport application?
As a rule, the answer is negative. Just do the following: fill out the online application form and book an appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra.
When do you still need to bring a printed photo?
You do need a physical passport size photo (4.5 × 3.5 cm, white background) in these cases:
- Children below 4 years of age - their photo cannot be captured at the counter, so a parent must carry one printed photo.
- Certain paper-form or offline routes, where the instructions ask you to affix photographs on the printed form. When in doubt, follow the instruction shown on your own application.
What if you are unsure which route applies?
If you have any ambiguity in regard to what option applies to you, it is worth getting two passport-style photos developed beforehand. These pictures are not very expensive and could help you avoid backtracking to your office for the second time.
Why do passport photos get rejected?
There are many tiny mistakes that cause passport photos to be rejected. Before printing or uploading your passport pictures, please review the items below:
- Background is not plain white, or has shadows behind the head.
- Photo is black-and-white, blurry, or too dark or too bright.
- Face is too small or too large - it must fill about 80–85% of the frame.
- Eyes are closed, partly covered by hair, or hidden behind glare on glasses.
- You are smiling widely or your mouth is open instead of a neutral look.
- Wearing sunglasses, a cap, or a non-religious head covering.
- The photo is old and no longer looks like you.
Where do I apply, and how does this help?
Only the Passport Seva under the Ministry of External Affairs has the rights to issue passports. To obtain a passport, the applicant has to go on the official Passport Seva website to create a profile and book an appointment. Then, the applicant has to go to the closest Passport Seva Kendra for biometric photograph & fingerprint. That same biometric photo is what gets stored in the chip of the new e-passport.
Can Jaagruk Bharat help with my passport application?
If you find the process challenging, Jaagruk Bharat is there to provide you with the assistance you need throughout the passport application process. More specifically, Jaagruk Bharat is a private assistance service that helps with the entire process.
Read More
- How to apply for a passport in India
- Passport renewal application guide
- Tatkal passport: get your passport in 1 to 3 days
- Check your passport application status online
- Explore more government-service guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of a passport size photo in India?
An Indian passport size photo is 4.5 × 3.5 cm, which is the same as 45 mm × 35 mm. It must be a recent colour photo on a plain white background, with your full face facing the camera and about 80–85% of the frame filled by your face.
Is the passport photo black-and-white or colour?
It must be a colour photo. Black-and-white photos are not accepted for Indian passports. The photo should show natural skin tones, even lighting, and no shadows, flash glare, or red-eye. It also needs a sharp, continuous-tone print on photo-quality paper, not an image printed on plain paper.
Do I need to carry a photo to the Passport Seva Kendra?
Usually no. For most applicants the photograph is captured live at the counter, so you do not need a printed photo. Children below 4 years are the main exception - a parent must carry one printed 4.5 × 3.5 cm photo with a white background.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
You can wear clear spectacles if there is no glare and your eyes stay fully visible, but sunglasses or tinted glasses are not allowed. Many applicants remove their glasses to avoid rejection from reflection on the lenses. Head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons, and even then your full face must stay visible.
What background colour is required for a passport photo?
A plain white background is required for Indian passport photos. There should be no patterns, objects, or other people in the frame, and no distracting shadows behind your head. A clean white wall or a professional white backdrop works best.
Why was my passport photo rejected?
Common reasons include a non-white or shadowed background, a blurry or dark image, closed or hidden eyes, glare on glasses, a wide smile, or wearing a cap or sunglasses. Using a recent, correctly sized 4.5 × 3.5 cm colour photo avoids most rejections.
