UPSC Photo & Signature Resizer — ORA Portal Guidelines (2026)
Prepare your UPSC Civil Services, NDA, CDS, CAPF, and IES exam photo and signature for the Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal — with automatic name and date-of-photograph banner. Everything processed inside your browser, zero server contact.
Bi-Directional Auto-Enhance Engine
Guarantees files strictly meet UPSC OTR upload limits. Padded if < 20KB, capped if > 300KB.
The UPSC 10-Day Rule and the Embedded Banner Strip Requirement
The Union Public Service Commission (upsconline.nic.in) portal performs one verification check that catches thousands of candidates off guard: it requires the candidate's full name and the date the photograph was captured to be printed in white text on a black banner strip directly below the face, physically embedded into the JPEG image file itself.
A standard neighborhood photo studio rarely knows this specific rule. Generic compressors and online cropping tools cannot generate the banner strip. Kagazo renders this compliant banner strip automatically. You simply type your name and capture date—our engine positions the strip cleanly at the bottom without squishing your face or exceeding the 300 KB ceiling.
Embeds the official high-contrast white-on-black strip directly into the photo pixels.
Enforces 350×350 to 1000×1000 px resolution, fully preventing ORA portal dimension errors.
Prompts you to ensure the banner date falls strictly within 10 days of your application date.
Official UPSC ORA Upload Specifications
Strict parameters drawn from Union Public Service Commission CSE, NDA, and CDS notifications.
| Parameter | UPSC Scanned Photograph | UPSC Scanned Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable Exams | CSE (IAS/IPS/IFS), NDA & NA, CDS, CAPF (AC), IES/ISS, EPFO | Mandatory across all UPSC recruitment and OTR examinations |
| Allowed File Size | 20 KB to 300 KB (strictly < 300 KB) | 20 KB to 300 KB (strictly < 300 KB) |
| Pixel Dimensions | Min 350×350 px — Max 1000×1000 px (1:1 square) | Min 350×350 px (or proportional square canvas) |
| File Format | JPG / JPEG only | JPG / JPEG only |
| Name & Date Banner | Mandatory: Candidate name & DOP printed at bottom | Not applicable |
| Date Freshness | Captured within 10 days of application opening date | — |
| Background & Pen | Plain white or very light background; 75% face coverage | Clean white paper, black or dark blue ballpoint ink, running cursive |
| Spectacles / Glasses | Strictly prohibited (no clear or power glasses) | — |
Verification Note: UPSC modifies guidelines periodically across notifications. The 10-day photograph freshness rule is strictly enforced during physical verification at Dholpur House. Always verify active guidelines on upsconline.nic.in. Need to change image metadata? Try Change Image DPI to 300.
How to Format UPSC Photo & Signature in 5 Steps
Follow this verified 5-step process for instant recruitment portal compliance:
Choose Photo or Signature
Select UPSC Photo (350–1000 px, max 300 KB) or UPSC Signature preset.
Upload Image File
Select portrait photo or signature scan; all image formats supported.
Add Name & Date Banner
Type candidate name and date photo was taken; Kagazo renders official white-on-black strip.
Auto Aspect Ratio Lock
Locks 1:1 square ratio for photos and standard 3:1 ratio for signatures.
Download ORA Ready JPEG
Download compliant JPEG verified strictly under 300 KB for the UPSC ORA portal.
Common UPSC ORA Upload Errors and How Kagazo Fixes Them
Avoid common application mistakes that trigger instant portal rejection:
No Name and Date Printed on Photo
UPSC ORA requires candidate name and date embedded in the JPEG. Kagazo renders this automatically.
File Size Exceeds Maximum Limit
High-resolution smartphone photos exceed 300 KB. Kagazo compresses to a safe 180–240 KB window.
Aspect Ratio Mismatch in ORA Portal
UPSC mandates 1:1 square dimensions between 350x350 and 1000x1000 px. Kagazo enforces square cropping.
Faint Pencil or Gel Pen Scans
UPSC requires clear black ink. Kagazo's Xerox filter enhances stroke contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions (UPSC Photo & Signature)
Answers to the most critical photo, signature, and ORA portal questions for UPSC aspirants.
Does UPSC still require the name and date banner on the photo in 2026?
What is the official UPSC 10-Day Photograph Freshness Rule?
What size and pixel dimensions are required for UPSC photos and signatures?
Why does UPSC ORA show "Resolution less than 350x350" error?
Can I use a normal passport studio photo without a name/date strip?
Can I wear spectacles or dark glasses in the UPSC photograph?
What background color is mandatory for UPSC photos?
How should I format the signature for UPSC?
Does Kagazo transmit my photo, name, or date to any server?
What are the rules for PDF documents on the UPSC portal?
Related Tools & Complementary Utilities
Candidates and applicants also frequently use these tools for their document preparation.
UPSC 3-in-1 Combo Pack (Photo, Signature & Certificate ZIP)
All-in-one UPSC Civil Services, NDA & CDS upload bundle. Stamp Name & Date on Photo (20-300KB), Signature (20-300KB), and PDF ID/Certificate (<300KB) in 1-Click ZIP.
SSC Photo & Signature Resizer
Photo (20-50KB, 3.5×4.5cm) and Signature (10-20KB, 4.0×2.0cm) with bi-directional padding.
Compress PDF to 200KB
Strictly compress certificates under 200KB for TNPSC OTR, UPSC, and SSC recruitment portals.
Multi-Marksheet to Single PDF (<1MB)
Merges 1 to 12 semester marksheets into ONE continuous PDF strictly under <500KB or <1MB.