The ordinary Indian passport workflow depends on the applicant and where the application is processed. For an adult applying for a fresh or reissued ordinary passport in India, the photograph and biometrics are captured at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). The applicant does not upload a passport photograph with the online form and does not need to carry printed photographs.
Passport Seva states this in two places: its Getting Started guidance says applicants attend the centre so their photographs and biometrics can be obtained there, and the PSK/POPSK visit section says Photograph is not required.
Which Indian passport photo workflow applies?
| Application | Photo step | What to follow |
|---|---|---|
| Adult fresh/reissue in India | Photo and biometrics captured at PSK/POPSK | No photo upload or print required |
| Child below four | Carry one recent printed photograph | 45 × 35 mm, white background |
| Indian mission or consulate abroad | Mission-specific capture or upload process | Overseas portal and local mission instructions |
| OCI | Square photograph uploaded online | OCI Services photo specification |
| Indian e-Visa | Square photograph uploaded online | Indian Visa Online e-Visa guidance |
Ordinary adult fresh and reissue applications in India
The online portion is used to complete the application, pay and book an appointment. It is not a passport-photo upload step. The applicant then attends the PSK or POPSK with the required original documents and copies; staff capture the photograph and biometrics at the centre. The same core process applies to normal and Tatkaal appointments and to fresh and reissue applications.
Before attending, use the current Passport Seva fresh/reissue instructions and Document Advisor for the documents relevant to your case. Do not add a digital photo or printed-photo task unless those instructions identify a specific exception.
Children below four: keep the 35 × 45 mm print
Passport Seva makes a specific exception for minor applicants below four years: carry a recent passport-size colour photograph measuring 4.5 × 3.5 cm (45 × 35 mm) with a white background. This confirmed printed dimension remains valid and should not be presented as a requirement for every applicant.
The official photograph guidelines for children below four also specify a frontal, centred colour image, open eyes, even lighting, no background shadow and face coverage of 80–85% of the photograph. These points describe the under-four printed-photo exception.
Overseas applications are a separate workflow
Passport services for Indians living abroad are handled through Indian missions and posts. The Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates portal asks you to pick your country or region first, because the filing steps differ by mission. ICAO-compliant photographs have been required for passport applications made through those missions since 1 September 2025 — the photograph rules below come from the guidance linked next, not from any one mission's page.
The linked overseas ICAO photograph guidance specifies a colour image of 630 × 810 pixels, white background and 80–85% face coverage for photograph capture or upload. It does not establish a 250 KB limit for the ordinary domestic workflow. Check the selected mission's current filing instructions because the hand-off and submission method can vary by location.
OCI and e-Visa photos are not Indian passport photos
The official OCI FAQ requires an uploaded square photograph: at least 51 × 51 mm, equal height and width, 200–900 pixels, JPEG/JPG, no more than 200 KB, with a plain light-coloured background that is not white.
The official Indian e-Visa guidance also requires a digital square JPEG, but its live instructions set a 10 KB–1 MB file range and allow a plain light-coloured or white background. OCI and e-Visa presets must therefore stay separate from the Indian passport preset.
Where the photo maker is useful
The India passport photo maker can prepare the 45 × 35 mm white-background print for a child below four. It can also provide a visual preparation reference, but an ordinary adult domestic applicant's actual passport photograph is captured at the PSK/POPSK.
For an OCI or e-Visa application, select the dedicated specification for that service instead of reusing the passport crop. For another country, choose that country's current passport or visa preset and confirm the issuing authority's instructions before submitting.
This site is not a government service. It can prepare measurable image properties, but it cannot confirm identity, documents, eligibility or an application decision.
Frequently asked questions
Do ordinary adult applicants upload or carry a passport photo to a PSK or POPSK?
No. Passport Seva says applicants attend the PSK or POPSK so their photograph and biometrics can be obtained there, and its visit guidance says a photograph is not required. This applies to the ordinary domestic fresh/reissue workflow.
When is a printed photo required for an ordinary Indian passport application?
For a child below four years, Passport Seva instructs the applicant to carry a recent 4.5 × 3.5 cm (45 × 35 mm) photograph with a white background. The ordinary adult domestic workflow does not require a print.
Is 630 × 810 px the ordinary Passport Seva upload size?
No current official source was found for a 630 × 810 px, under-250 KB upload in the ordinary domestic PSK/POPSK workflow. The current 630 × 810 px instruction is published for ICAO-compliant passport photographs submitted through Indian embassies and consulates abroad. Follow the instructions for the workflow and mission handling your application.
Do OCI and Indian e-Visa applications use the passport workflow?
No. OCI and e-Visa are separate online services with their own photo uploads and specifications. OCI uses a square photograph on a plain light-coloured, non-white background; the Indian e-Visa also uses a square digital photograph but permits a plain light-coloured or white background.
What can the photo maker be used for?
It can prepare the 45 × 35 mm white-background print needed for a child below four, and separate presets can help prepare OCI, e-Visa and other-country photos. It is not a mandatory photo-upload step for an ordinary adult Indian passport application.