Make an Indian passport photo at the exact required size

Since 1 September 2025, the Indian passport photo size is 35×45 mm with the head measuring 36 to 38 mm from chin to crown — the ICAO standard replacing the older 2×2 inch square. Line your head up between the guides and download at the size Passport Seva requires. An OCI / overseas-visa preset (2×2 in) is also included, since that older format is still used there. Everything runs in your browser, so the photo is never uploaded.

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Drop a portrait photo here

or click to choose — face forward, plain light background

The rules changed on 1 September 2025

If you've used an Indian passport photo tool before and it defaulted to a 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square, that's now out of date for a standard domestic application. Since 1 September 2025, India follows the ICAO Doc 9303 standard: 35mm wide by 45mm tall, with the head - chin to crown - filling an unusually large 36 to 38mm of that frame. That's roughly 80–85% of the photo's height, noticeably more than most countries require, and it's a deliberate choice to suit automated facial-recognition matching at border control.

The older 51×51mm square photo hasn't disappeared entirely - it's still used for OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards and some visa applications filed from outside India. This tool includes both: pick "India — passport, domestic (35×45 mm)" for a normal Passport Seva application, or "India — OCI / visa abroad (2×2 in)" if your specific application still asks for the square format. Check which one your application wants if you're unsure.

Why the head has to be so large in frame

A 36–38mm head in a 45mm-tall photo leaves very little margin above and below - far less than the roughly 60–70% most passport photo standards use. That makes this one of the least forgiving crops to get right by eye, and it's exactly the kind of thing that's easy to misjudge without guide lines. Line the top of your head up with the upper guide and your chin with the lower one, and the proportion is correct by construction rather than by guesswork.

What Indian passport photos specifically require

Background: plain white or very light off-white, completely uniform - no shadows, textures or patterns.
Glasses: not allowed regardless of prescription - this has been the rule since 2020, so take the photo without them.
Expression: neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible, facing the camera squarely.
Colour: a full-colour photo against the plain background described above.
Recency: taken within the last six months and matching your current appearance.

Taking the photo yourself

A phone camera is fine if the technique is right. Avoid a selfie at arm's length - it distorts facial proportions in a way that's especially noticeable once the head fills most of the frame, as this standard requires. Have someone else take the photo from about two metres away with a standard lens, and make sure the light is even across the face with no harsh shadows, since a large-head crop leaves little background to hide lighting problems in.

Resolution and printing

300 DPI is the default here, producing roughly 413×531 pixels for the 35×45mm frame - sharp enough for both a Passport Seva digital upload and a physical print. If you need a printed copy, the print sheet option lays several copies out on a 4×6 inch sheet with cut lines, cheap to print at most photo shops.

Everything runs in your browser using the canvas API - the photo is never uploaded to a server. There's no account, no sign-up, and no file size limit beyond what your device can handle.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Indian passport photo still 2x2 inches?

Not for a standard domestic passport application - that changed on 1 September 2025, when India moved to the ICAO Doc 9303 standard: 35mm wide by 45mm tall, with the head filling an unusually large 80-85% of the frame (36 to 38mm chin to crown). The old 51x51mm (2x2 inch) square photo is no longer accepted for domestic Passport Seva applications, though it's still used for OCI cards and some visa applications filed from outside India - this tool includes both presets, selected from the dropdown.

Why does India require such a large head size?

The 36-38mm range is noticeably larger than most countries' passport photo standards, which typically sit around 25-36mm. This is a direct consequence of adopting the ICAO facial-recognition-friendly standard, which prioritises a large, unobstructed view of the face over the more traditional headshot framing older Indian passport photos used.

What background does India require?

A plain white or very light off-white background, completely uniform with no shadows, textures or patterns. Glasses are not allowed regardless of prescription - this has been the rule since 2020 - and the expression must be neutral with the mouth closed.

Which preset should I use - the domestic one or the OCI one?

Use "India — passport, domestic (35×45 mm)" for a normal Indian passport application through Passport Seva. Use "India — OCI / visa abroad (2×2 in)" only if you're specifically applying for an Overseas Citizen of India card or a visa application filed from outside India that still asks for the older square format - check the specific application's instructions if you're unsure which applies.

How recent does the photo need to be?

Within the last six months, and it should look like you currently do. Passport Seva applications are commonly sent back over outdated photos, so if your appearance has changed meaningfully since your last passport photo, take a new one rather than reusing an old file.

Is my photo uploaded anywhere to do this?

No. The crop and resize happen entirely on your own device using the browser's canvas API. There's no server involved, no account, and no file size limit beyond what your device can handle.