For most adult applicants visiting a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in India, a separate applicant supplied photograph is not normally required because the photograph is handled during the Passport Seva process.
Choose Where You Are Applying
India has different photograph workflows. The selected route controls the summary below, while the four choices remain visible so you can compare them before preparing a file.
Indian Passport Photo Workflows at a Glance
Applying in India at a Passport Seva Centre
For most adult applicants visiting a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in India, a separate applicant supplied photograph is not normally required because the photograph is handled during the Passport Seva process.
Printed Photo Required by the Application
Use this route only when the current application or collection centre asks you to provide a printed colour photograph. The maintained working format is 35 × 45 mm, also described by Passport Seva as 4.5 × 3.5 cm.
Applying Through an Indian Mission Abroad
Indian Missions abroad can publish their own passport photograph instructions. The current ICAO profile maintained here uses a colour image of 630 × 810 pixels, a white background and face coverage around 80% to 85% of the photo height.
Custom Requirement
Use the custom route when your Embassy, collection centre, application form or portal gives dimensions, a format or a file size that is different from the maintained profiles.
Confirm this before your Passport Seva appointment
- ⚠️Do not prepare a separate adult photo unless the current appointment or notice asks you to provide one.
- ⚠️Carry a recent 4.5 × 3.5 cm photo with a white background for an applicant below four years.
- ⚠️Check the applicant category and appointment instructions on the current Passport Seva page.
- ⚠️Use the printed photo route when another collection centre or form specifically asks for a photograph.
Passport photo for a child below four years
Passport Seva says parents or guardians should carry a recent 4.5 × 3.5 cm colour photograph with a white background for an applicant below four years. Use this profile only for that age exception and compare the result with the current appointment instructions.
Indian Passport Photo Requirements Depend on Where You Apply
There is not one photo workflow for every Indian passport applicant. Most adults applying at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in India have their photograph handled during the Passport Seva process, while a child below four can need a recent printed photo.
A collection centre or an Indian Mission abroad can issue different instructions. Start by choosing the place and application route that applies to you, then use the matching profile only when the current official notice asks for a photo file or printed photograph.
Indian Passport Photo Sizes for Printed and Mission Workflows
A 35 × 45 mm colour photograph is used when the current application or collection centre asks for a printed photo. The normal adult Passport Seva Kendra process is different because the applicant does not provide this photograph themselves.
Some Indian Mission workflows abroad provide a 2 × 2 inch, or 51 × 51 mm, specification and can give a digital file range such as 20 KB to 100 KB. That is a Mission workflow, not a universal Indian passport size, so follow the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate notice handling your application.
- Printed photo when requested: 35 × 45 mm, or 4.5 × 3.5 cm
- ICAO Mission profile: 630 × 810 pixels
- ICAO face coverage: 80% to 85% of photo height
- Background: White for the ICAO and printed passport photo profiles
ICAO Photograph Profile for Passport Services
The 630 × 810 pixel profile follows the current Passport Seva ICAO photograph guidance for photograph capturing or uploading. It uses a colour photograph, a white background, face coverage around 80% to 85% of the photo height, open and visible eyes, a natural expression, uniform lighting and no software alteration.
This profile should not be treated as the photo requirement for every applicant applying inside India. A Mission, centre or portal can publish a different instruction, and the normal adult Passport Seva Kendra workflow does not require you to provide a photograph yourself.
Choose the Correct Indian Passport Application Route
Use the Passport Seva Centre choice when you are attending a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in India and want to confirm whether a separate photo is needed. Use the printed photo choice when the current form or collection centre specifically asks for a 35 × 45 mm colour photograph. Use the Indian Mission choice when an Embassy, High Commission or Consulate gives you the ICAO profile or another current specification.
If the notice gives different dimensions, format or file size, choose the custom requirement route and copy those values exactly. A convenient preset is not a reason to replace the current instruction.
OCI Is a Separate Photo Workflow
OCI is not simply another Indian passport photo size. The Ministry of External Affairs publishes separate OCI photo instructions, including a square image, equal height and width, a plain light colour background that should not be white, and its own pixel and file limits.
Do not use the Indian passport white background profile for an OCI application. Check the current Ministry of External Affairs OCI instructions and use a separate profile when that workflow is added.
Open the Ministry of External Affairs OCI guidanceWhat PassportPhotoBox Can and Cannot Confirm
PassportPhotoBox can prepare the selected canvas, help you position the face, check measurable dimensions and reduce a file when the notice gives a limit. It cannot decide whether your Passport Seva Centre captures the photo, prove which Mission notice applies, certify a printed paper or guarantee acceptance.
For the ICAO profile, remove glasses when taking the photo so reflections do not interfere with the eyes. For a printed 35 × 45 mm workflow, dark or coloured glasses are not accepted; if normal glasses are worn, avoid glare and keep the eyes clearly visible.
Indian Passport Photo Questions
Do I need to carry a passport photo to a Passport Seva Kendra in India?
Most adult applicants do not provide a separate photograph because the photograph is handled during the Passport Seva process. A recent 4.5 × 3.5 cm photo with a white background is specifically requested for applicants below four years, and another centre or notice can give different instructions.
What is the Indian passport photo size when a printed photo is required?
When the current application or collection centre asks for a printed photo, the maintained format is 35 × 45 mm, also described as 4.5 × 3.5 cm. This is not a universal requirement for every adult Passport Seva Kendra application.
What is the 630 × 810 Indian passport photo profile?
It is the ICAO photograph profile used by Passport Seva guidance for photograph capturing or uploading. It uses a colour image, a white background and face coverage around 80% to 85% of the photo height. Use it only when it matches the Indian Mission or current official workflow handling the application.
Do Indian Missions abroad use a 2 × 2 inch passport photo?
Some Mission workflows provide a 2 × 2 inch, or 51 × 51 mm, specification and can give a digital file range such as 20 KB to 100 KB. Check the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate notice because overseas workflows can differ.
Can I use the Indian passport profile for an OCI application?
No. OCI has separate Ministry of External Affairs instructions. Its photo is square and uses a plain light colour background that should not be white, along with its own pixel and file limits.
Can I wear glasses in an Indian passport photo?
For the ICAO profile, remove glasses when taking the photo so reflections do not interfere with the eyes. For a printed workflow, dark or coloured glasses are not accepted; if normal glasses are worn, avoid glare and keep the eyes clearly visible.