Indian Passport Photo Requirements

A passport is one of the most important documents that one may hold. In India, passport applicants must meet plenty of rigorous requirements to receive the document. It includes gathering certain documents and providing a professional passport-size photo.

If you plan to apply for Indian passports, you should be aware of the stringent photo requirements. Familiarize yourself with the below passport photo requirements and tips, save plenty of time, and avoid the need to resubmit the photo.

Indian passport photo size requirements

The Indian passport office has fixed certain criteria for the photograph submitted when applying for an Indian passport.

An applicant needs to provide a photo that falls under the following dimensions: 2 x 2 inch, 35 x 45 mm, or 35 x 35 mm (5 x 5 cm, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, 3.5 x 3.5 cm).

Other Indian passport photo requirements

Apart from the specified size and dimension of the Indian passport photo, the following are other photo requirements that one needs to meet:

The picture must be taken on a white or off-white photo background.
The person in the photo should look directly into the camera (It is forbidden to tilt the head and pose).
The full face must be visible in the photo (No profile or 3/4 photo can be accepted).
The person must have wide and open eyes when posing in the picture.
No distracting shadows or marks on the background or on the face are allowed.

Additional guidelines for India passport photo

Face

No head coverings are allowed (with the exception of religious reasons); all facial features from the cheek bottom to the forehead top and both extreme face edges should be visible in the photo.
The face must be in the photo frame’s center.
The eyes cannot be covered by spectacles or hair – they must be open and visible.

Face and background lighting

No shadows covering the face are permitted – ensure balanced light on the face.
No shadows in the background are allowed.
Underexposing or overexposing the photo makes the photo unusable.
To ensure that the facial features are detailed and clear, edit your photo with three-point balanced lighting.
To avoid lighting or shadow issues, you may use diffuse lighting sources.

Color and contrast

To represent your face and the background appropriately, adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo.
Don’t miss out on the unique facial features with proper edition and contrast.
When editing the picture, do remember to keep the natural skin tone and color of the person.
To eliminate the unacceptable imbalance in the photograph, use appropriate filters and lighting setup.

Accessories

Try to avoid glare on eyeglasses by slightly tilting the head up and down. Alternatively, the glasses can be removed for the duration of taking the photo.
Sunglasses or dark glasses are not allowed in the photo.

Indian passport photo requirements for babies

The requirements for passport photos of babies, infants, or newborns differ in comparison to the requirements for children or adults.

Babies below a year can have their eyes closed in passport photos. Children younger than 10 years of age have some relaxation in the photo rules regarding face height, as well as eyes and face position. Some relaxation also applies to the facial expression and line of the child’s sight.

Despite the abovementioned relaxed rules, a frontal photo of the child needs to be taken with full clarity. No external objects, such as toys, furniture, or other people in the background, can be accepted. The child should also look directly into the camera with a neutral facial expression and mouth closed.

Online Passport Photo Services

Technological advancement has made it easier to get a passport photo eliminating the need to visit a photo studio to take a professional passport photo. There are plenty of online websites offering help to adjust your pictures so that they can meet passport-size photo requirements.

Online passport photo services most usually offer the service free of charge and are an especially convenient solution if someone needs to have a proper photo in a short time. Apart from adjusting the size, they often offer the service of cropping and editing the picture.

The corrected file can be downloaded directly from the website or emailed to the individual’s inbox.

All in all, if you need to avoid the risk of having your passport photo denied, it is always highly recommended to visit a professional passport photo studio to get a high-quality passport photograph taken and printed.

Katarzyna

Katarzyna is a dedicated professional working in the dynamic field of eVisa services. Born with an adventurous spirit, she developed a deep curiosity about different cultures and a desire to explore the world from a young age. With a passion for international travel and a keen interest in streamlining visa processes, she stays up-to-date with visa regulations, guiding travelers through the complex procedures. 🐱‍🏍🛫🗺