What Is the UPSC Photo Maker?
This tool helps candidates applying for UPSC exams such as Civil Services, NDA, CDS and CAPF to prepare the photograph for the online form. You can crop your photo into the right frame, resize it to the pixel size you need, print your name and date of photo on it, and compress it to fit the KB limit.
UPSC portals are strict. A photo that is a few pixels or a few KB outside the allowed range can be rejected, and UPSC does not resize images for you. Preparing the file correctly before you upload saves time near the deadline.
Typical UPSC Photo Requirements
| Item | Commonly listed |
|---|---|
| Format | JPG / JPEG |
| Dimensions | Often 350 × 350 px (check your notice) |
| File size | Guides list ranges such as 20 KB to 200 KB or 20 KB to 300 KB, so follow your notification |
| Photo | Recent, clear, front-facing colour photo with a plain light background |
| Name and date | Required in some notifications and not in others |
Important: these are common figures from public guides, not official rules. UPSC changes requirements between exams, and some recent applications also ask for a live photo captured during the form. Always read the current notification on the official UPSC website before you upload.
How to Use the UPSC Photo Maker
- Tap Upload Photo and choose a clear, recent, front-facing photo.
- Turn name and date on or off, depending on what your notification asks for.
- Choose the photo size (350 × 350 px is the default).
- Use Zoom and the Move sliders until your face is centred.
- If the background is not white, turn on Remove background and adjust the sensitivity until it looks clean.
- Set the maximum KB from your notification. The preview shows the final file size.
- Type a file name and tap Download Photo.
DOP vs DOB
DOP (Date of Photo) is the day the picture was taken, and it is the date most exam notices mean. DOB (Date of Birth) is your birth date and is asked for only in a few forms. Use the dropdown to print the label your form requires.
Tips for a Photo That Is Accepted
- Stand in front of a plain white or light wall with soft, even light on your face. The plain background method works best on a plain wall. For busy backgrounds, use the AI cut-out and check the edges around your hair.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral face and both ears visible.
- Avoid filters, selfies from a very close distance, caps and sunglasses.
- Use a recent photograph, since many notices ask for one taken within the last few months.
- Check the file size and pixel size shown in the preview before you upload.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should a UPSC photo be?
Many guides list a 350 × 350 pixel JPG, but KB limits and rules can change each year. Check the current official notification and set the size and KB limit in this tool to match.
Do I need to write my name and date on the photo?
It depends on the exam and year. Some notifications ask for the name and date of photo, and some do not. Use the option only if your notification asks for it.
Can this tool remove the photo background?
Yes. Turn on Remove background and choose a method. The plain background method is fast and works offline for a fairly plain wall, and it can follow gradual shade changes. The AI cut-out method finds the person and works on busy backgrounds such as trees. It downloads a small AI model the first time, but your photo still never leaves your device. A plain light wall still gives the cleanest result.
Why are bits of the old background still showing?
Raise the Sensitivity slider, or tap the preview on the background so the tool knows its exact colour. Small gaps (for example between your arm and body) are not removed because they are not connected to the outer edge of the photo.
Why does the tool say it could not reach my KB limit?
At the smallest quality the photo is still larger than your limit. Try a higher limit, a smaller pixel size if your form allows one, or a sharper source photo with less detail in the background.
Is my photo uploaded to a server?
No. Everything runs in your browser, so your photo stays on your device.