SSC CGL 2026 Photo & Signature Requirements — Size, Format, How to Upload
Published June 2026 · 6 min read · Exam Photo Guide
The SSC CGL online application form is strict about photo and signature dimensions. Submit the wrong file size, wrong pixel dimensions, or the wrong format and the portal either rejects your upload outright or silently stores a non-compliant image — which can lead to admit card issues later. This guide covers the official 2026 requirements and the fastest free way to prepare compliant images without sending your photo to any server.
Quick fix: Use the Exam Photo Resizer — select the SSC preset and it automatically outputs the correct 200×230 px photo at 20–50 KB and the 140×60 px signature at 10–20 KB. No upload, runs in your browser.
SSC CGL 2026 Photo Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pixel dimensions | 200 × 230 pixels (width × height) |
| File size | 20 KB to 50 KB |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) only — PNG not accepted |
| Background | White or light plain background |
| Face coverage | Face should occupy 70–80% of the frame height |
| Expression | Neutral — mouth closed, eyes open, looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not allowed (as per SSC notification 2024 onwards) |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 3 months |
| Head covering | Not allowed except for religious reasons |
SSC CGL 2026 Signature Requirements
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pixel dimensions | 140 × 60 pixels (width × height) |
| File size | 10 KB to 20 KB |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) only |
| Background | White paper only |
| Ink colour | Black or dark blue ink |
| Style | Full signature — not initials only |
Why SSC photo uploads get rejected
The SSC portal runs automated validation on both uploads. The most common rejection reasons are:
- File too large: A phone camera photo is typically 3–10 MB — 100× over the 50 KB cap. You must compress before upload.
- Wrong pixel dimensions: The portal checks both width (200 px) and height (230 px) exactly. Cropping to the right ratio but the wrong size fails validation.
- Wrong format: PNG files are not accepted even if renamed as .jpg. The tool must output a true JPEG.
- File too small: The 20 KB minimum exists to ensure image quality. Over-compressing a photo below 20 KB will fail.
- Background not white: The automated checker flags backgrounds that aren't plain white or near-white.
How to prepare your SSC photo and signature (step by step)
Step 1 — Take the photo
Stand against a white wall in good natural light. Ensure no shadows on the wall behind you. Face the camera directly, neutral expression, both ears visible. No glasses. Frame the shot so your face fills most of the frame — the tool will handle the final crop.
Step 2 — Prepare the signature
Sign your full signature on a blank white sheet of paper using black or dark blue ink. Take a clear photograph of the signature only (not the full page). Make sure the background is uniformly white — no shadows, no lines.
Step 3 — Resize and compress both files
Open the Exam Photo Resizer. Select the SSC photo preset (200×230 px, 20–50 KB). Upload your photograph and download the correctly sized JPEG. Then select the SSC signature preset (140×60 px, 10–20 KB), upload your signature image, and download. Both files are now ready to upload to the SSC portal.
The tool runs entirely in your browser — your photo and signature are never sent to any server. This matters for exam documents that may be used as part of your identity verification.
Step 4 — Verify before upload
Before uploading to the SSC portal, check: file format (JPEG), file size (photo 20–50 KB, signature 10–20 KB), and image clarity. On Windows you can right-click the file → Properties → Details to confirm pixel dimensions and file size.
SSC vs IBPS vs UPSC — how the requirements compare
| Exam | Photo dimensions | Photo size | Signature dimensions | Signature size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL / CHSL / CPO | 200 × 230 px | 20–50 KB | 140 × 60 px | 10–20 KB |
| IBPS PO / Clerk / SO | 200 × 230 px | 20–50 KB | 140 × 60 px | 10–20 KB |
| UPSC Civil Services | 350 × 450 px | 40 KB max | 350 × 150 px | 30 KB max |
| RRB NTPC | 200 × 230 px | 20–50 KB | 140 × 60 px | 10–20 KB |
| SBI PO / Clerk | 200 × 230 px | 20–50 KB | 140 × 60 px | 10–20 KB |
The Exam Photo Resizer has presets for all of the above exams — select your exam and it applies the correct dimensions and size cap automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the photo size for SSC CGL 2026?
SSC CGL requires a JPEG photograph at 200×230 pixels and 20–50 KB. The background must be plain white or light-coloured. Use the Exam Photo Resizer with the SSC preset to produce a compliant file in one step.
What is the signature size for SSC CGL?
The SSC CGL signature must be 140×60 pixels at 10–20 KB in JPEG format. Sign on white paper with black or dark blue ink, photograph it, then resize using the Signature Resizer or the SSC signature preset in the Exam Photo Resizer.
Why does SSC reject my photo upload?
Most rejections are due to: file over 50 KB, incorrect dimensions (must be exactly 200×230 px), wrong format (must be JPEG not PNG), or background not plain white. The Exam Photo Resizer fixes all three automatically.
Can I use a phone photo for SSC?
Yes — but phone photos are typically 3–10 MB and must be resized and compressed before upload. Use the Compress to 50 KB tool combined with the resize preset, or use the all-in-one Exam Photo Resizer.
What format does SSC accept for photos?
SSC accepts JPEG (.jpg) format only for both photograph and signature. PNG files are not accepted even if the content is correct. The Exam Photo Resizer outputs JPEG automatically.