Why forms reject photos and signatures
Portals check size and format automatically, and staff reject unclear or wrong images later, sometimes after the exam. These are the common reasons, and how to fix each one.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| File too big or too small in KB | Your exam’s photo or signature resizer keeps it inside the KB range. |
| Wrong pixel size | Same resizers, or the image resizer for any size in px, cm or inches. |
| “Invalid format” although it ends in .jpg | The file is really PNG, WebP or HEIC: use the JPG fixer or the format converter. |
| Dark or busy background | Retake against a plain wall, or use the background changer. Check with the file checker. |
| Faint, blurred or tiny signature | Sign larger with a dark pen and use the signature cleaner. |
| Name and date missing on the photo (where asked) | Name and date on photo |
Photo rules in the notices
- Recent passport-style colour photo, light (preferably white) background — IBPS PO/MT, IBPS Clerk (to be confirmed), IBPS RRB (Officers and Office Assistant) (to be confirmed), SBI PO, SBI Clerk (Junior Associates)
- No cap, hat or dark glasses; religious headwear is allowed if it does not cover the face — IBPS PO/MT, IBPS Clerk (to be confirmed), IBPS RRB (Officers and Office Assistant) (to be confirmed), SBI PO, SBI Clerk (Junior Associates)
- Keep about 8 prints of the same photo for later stages — SBI PO, SBI Clerk (Junior Associates)
- Face covers at least 75% of the photo; plain white background; both ear lobes visible; eyes open — UPSC Civil Services
- No dark background, uniform, shadows, hair over the eyes or glare on glasses; do not sign the photo — UPSC Civil Services
- Colour photo, white background, face (with ears) covering about 80% of the photo, no mask — JEE Main, NEET (UG), CUET (UG)
- Plain white or light background; face fills 70–80% of the picture; no shadows or red-eye — India Post GDS
- Do not upload a scanned photo or a selfie — India Post GDS
- Colour photo not older than 6 months, white or light background; not a mobile or self-made photo — RSSB Clerk Grade-II / Junior Assistant (to be confirmed)
- Face covers at least 50% of the photo; no dark glasses or flash glare — RSSB Clerk Grade-II / Junior Assistant (to be confirmed)
- Colour photo taken within the last 2 months, white background — Bihar Police Constable (CSBC)
- True colour — UPPSC (one-time registration) (to be confirmed)
- The newer OTR at otr.pariksha.nic.in asks for a “latest coloured photo” without sizes; check the portal — UPPSC (one-time registration) (to be confirmed)
- Taken within the last 3 months; save as Photograph.jpg — TNPSC (one-time registration) (to be confirmed)
Signature rules in the notices
- Blurred or miniature signatures are rejected — SSC CGL, SSC CHSL
- PwD (VH) candidates may give a thumb impression instead — SSC CGL, SSC CHSL
- 30–49 KB is from secondary sources; the official notice could not be reached — RRB NTPC (to be confirmed)
- Black ink on white paper — IBPS PO/MT, IBPS Clerk (to be confirmed), IBPS RRB (Officers and Office Assistant) (to be confirmed), SBI PO, SBI Clerk (Junior Associates)
- Signatures in CAPITAL LETTERS are not accepted — IBPS PO/MT, IBPS Clerk (to be confirmed), IBPS RRB (Officers and Office Assistant) (to be confirmed), SBI PO, SBI Clerk (Junior Associates)
- Sign 3 times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white unlined paper, and scan all three as one image — UPSC Civil Services
- Black or blue pen on white paper; the signature fills 70–80% of the picture, no border — India Post GDS
- Typed or digital signatures are not allowed — India Post GDS
- The portal’s help text says 20–50 KB; a file between 20 and 50 KB fits both — India Post GDS
- Sign with a black or dark-blue pen inside a 7 cm × 2 cm box on white A4 paper — RSSB Clerk Grade-II / Junior Assistant (to be confirmed)
- Do not photograph the signature with a mobile phone — RSSB Clerk Grade-II / Junior Assistant (to be confirmed)
- Sign in black ink on white paper inside a 50 mm × 20 mm box — UP Police Constable (UPPRPB)
- Running hand, not block letters — UP Police Constable (UPPRPB)
- Your own signature only — UP Police Constable (UPPRPB)
- Two separate files: your signature in English and in Hindi — Bihar Police Constable (CSBC)
- Black or blue ink on white paper — Bihar Police Constable (CSBC)
- A missing photo or signature, or someone else’s, gets the application rejected — Bihar Police Constable (CSBC)
- Full signature: initials or CAPITAL LETTERS are not accepted — UPPSC (one-time registration) (to be confirmed)
- Black ball-point pen — UPPSC (one-time registration) (to be confirmed)
Each rule is from the exam’s official notice; open the exam page for the source.