Indian passport and OCI photo requirements can be confusing because there is not just one photo size.
The correct size depends on how you are applying: Passport Seva digital upload, printed passport application, OCI card, or an overseas Indian passport route.
Here’s a quick, practical breakdown.
Key Requirements
For Indian Passport Seva digital upload:
Size: 630 × 810 pixels
Format: JPEG
File size: Less than 250 KB
Photo shape: Portrait rectangle
Face area: Around 80% of the photo
Background: Plain white or light-coloured
Expression: Natural, mouth closed
Eyes: Open and clearly visible
Quality: Sharp, clear, no filters or heavy editing
For OCI photos:
Size: 2 × 2 inches
Metric size: 51mm × 51mm
Photo shape: Square
Background: Plain light-coloured
Face: Full face, front view
Eyes: Open and clearly visible
Head: Centred within the frame
For some printed Indian passport applications:
Size: 3.5cm × 4.5cm
Photo shape: Portrait rectangle
Background: Plain white, off-white, or light-coloured
Quality: Clear, colour, no marks or damage
Why There Are Different Sizes
This is the part that confuses many people.
Indian Passport Seva digital uploads usually need a 630 × 810 pixel photo.
OCI card photos usually need a 2 × 2 inch square photo.
Some printed or form-based Indian passport applications use 3.5cm × 4.5cm.
Many overseas Indian passport, VFS, BLS, or embassy routes may also ask for 2 × 2 inch photos.
So always check which route you are applying through before preparing the photo.
Pose Rules
Face the camera directly
Keep your head straight and centred
Use a natural expression
Keep your mouth closed
Keep both eyes open
Make sure your forehead and face are visible
Avoid shadows, glare, and filters
Glasses: It is best to remove them. Glare, reflections, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes can cause rejection.
Head coverings: Usually only accepted for religious reasons, and the full face must remain visible.
Children & Baby Photos
For babies and children:
- The child should be alone in the photo
- No toys, hands, chair backs, or other people visible
- The background should be plain
- The photo should be sharp and evenly lit
- For OCI-style guidance, babies under one year old do not always need to have their eyes open
Common Mistakes
Common reasons for Indian passport or OCI photo rejection include:
- Wrong size for the application route
- Using a square photo when a portrait digital photo is needed
- Using a portrait photo when OCI requires 2 × 2 inches
- Poor lighting
- Shadows on the face or background
- Hair covering the eyes
- Glasses glare
- Sunglasses
- Face too close or too far away
- Low-quality or blurry image
- Heavy editing or filters
Taking a Photo at Home
You can take an Indian passport or OCI photo at home if you follow the basics:
- Use a plain light background
- Stand in good, even lighting
- Keep the camera at eye level
- Face the camera directly
- Keep your expression neutral and natural
- Do not use filters or retouching
- Choose the correct size for your application route
If you want a clearer breakdown of Indian passport, OCI, and overseas photo rules, this guide is useful:
https://foxlypassportphoto.co.uk/indian-passport-oci-photo-requirements-2026-guide/
Final Thoughts
The most important thing is choosing the correct photo size for your application route.
Passport Seva digital upload, OCI, printed Indian passport applications, and overseas Indian passport applications can have different requirements.
If you want a quick way to prepare or format your photo, Foxly Passport Photo Maker can help:
https://foxlypassportphoto.co.uk/
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