India Passport photo requirements

India passport photo requirements, in plain English

The first thing to know about the Indian passport is that most adult applicants never submit a photo at all. Passport Seva states that a photograph is NOT required for applications lodged at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) — your photograph is captured live at the centre. A printed photo is only needed when you apply through other collection centres (a District Passport Cell, an Authorized Speed Post Centre, or a Citizen Service Centre such as Bangalore One / e-Seva / e-Sampark), and for the separate minors-below-4 guideline. The specifications below describe that submitted-photo path, and Snapassport produces a photo that meets them.

Size, framing, and position

When a photo is required it must be a recent colour photo measuring 4.5 cm length × 3.5 cm width (45×35 mm) — it has to fit within the box on the form and must not be smaller than it. Show a frontal view of the full face, with your head centred in the frame and both ears and both edges of the face clearly visible.

For minors below 4 years of age, Passport Seva publishes a dedicated guideline: the photo is again 45×35 mm on a white background, framed so the head and top of the shoulders fill 80–85% of the picture, showing the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, centred.

Expression

Keep your expression natural — Passport Seva explicitly says no grinning, frowning, or raised eyebrows. The minors guideline likewise asks for a natural expression.

Eyes, glasses, and obstruction

Your eyes must be open and clearly visible, and must not be covered by hair. A photo with the eyes hidden under coloured or dark glasses will not be accepted. If you wear clear prescription glasses, avoid glare by tilting the head slightly up or down. Both edges of the face must be clearly visible.

Head coverings and hats

Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons — and even then, the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and both edges of the face, must be clearly visible. Ordinary hats and caps therefore are not allowed.

Lighting, shadows, and red-eye

Use uniform lighting that reproduces skin tones naturally with appropriate brightness and contrast. There should be no distracting shadows on the face or the background, and no flash reflections or red eye.

Background

A plain white background — a dark background will not be accepted — and the dress should be a dark colour so you stand out against the white. Snapassport standardizes your background to compliant white automatically.

Quality and format

Submit one recent colour photo on good-quality photo paper with a clear, continuous-tone quality. Black-and-white photos, computer prints, photos cut from a group photo, and damaged (torn, creased, marked) photos are not accepted. The photo must not be signed or retouched.