In a live photo form you do not upload a file: the form opens your webcam or phone camera and takes the picture there and then. To get it right, face a window or lamp in front of a plain light wall, hold the camera at eye level, take off cap, mask and glasses, and keep your whole face inside the frame.
Which exams use a live photo
- SSC: CGL 2026, CHSL 2026, GD 2026, CPO 2026, Stenographer 2026 and MTS 2025 take no photo file; the photo is captured inside the form.
- Railways: RRB NTPC (CEN 06/2026), Group D (CEN 09/2025), ALP (CEN 01/2026) and JE (CEN 04/2026), by webcam or phone front camera.
- Banks: IBPS PO 2026, SBI Junior Associates 2026 and other bank forms take a normal uploaded photo and also a live photo, by webcam or by scanning a QR code with your phone.
- State boards: UP Police Constable (2025 notice), RSSB (Advt 04/2026, in the one-time registration on the SSO portal), BPSC and RPSC (both in the one-time registration).
Rules from the notices
- No photo of a photo. SSC says photographing an existing photo leads to rejection, and RRB says not to photograph a printed or digital photo.
- Clothes. RRB NTPC (CEN 06/2026) asks for plain dark clothes and a plain white background; the Group D, ALP and JE notices ask for non-white, preferably dark, clothes. UP Police says no uniform.
- Face. RRB NTPC wants your head to be at least half of the photo, with eyes open. SSC asks you to keep your face inside the marked area.
- Accessories. No cap, mask or glasses in the SSC and RRB forms, and SSC MTS 2025 adds earphones and headphones. UP Police allows glasses only without reflection.
- Timer. The RSSB capture has a 5-second timer, so be in position before you click.
Your live photo is matched with other photos
A live photo is often compared with another photo of you. UPSC CSE 2026 matches it against your uploaded photo, and a mismatch blocks the application. UP Police compares it with your Aadhaar photo; if they do not match, you must say so in the form. RPSC matches your admit-card photo with your Aadhaar photo at the exam and asks you to update an Aadhaar photo that is 3 or more years old. In BPSC, once your one-time registration profile is locked, the photo cannot be changed for an advertisement you have applied to.
Set up before you click
- Find a plain white or light wall, and stand a little away from it so your shadow does not fall on it.
- Face the light. A window in front of you is ideal; a light behind you makes your face dark.
- Wipe the camera lens. Put the phone or laptop on a stack of books so the camera is at eye level.
- Remove cap, mask and glasses, keep hair off your face, and look straight at the camera.
- Check the preview before you confirm. If it is blurred or dark, take it again if the form allows.
What to do next
For forms that also want an uploaded photo, prepare it with the photo resizer. Check what your exam needs on its page, for example SSC CGL or RRB NTPC.