Every year, thousands of Indian students face the same nightmare — weeks of preparation, form filling, and then a rejection message from the portal saying "Document specification not met." The frustration is real, and in many cases, it's completely avoidable.
This guide covers the four biggest exams where photo/signature issues cause the most rejections: GATE, NEET, TNPSC, and KPSC.
GATE 2026 — IIT Official Specifications
GATE is organized by IITs on a rotational basis. The 2026 edition has slightly relaxed file size limits, but still requires precise aspect ratios for photographs.
GATE Official Requirements:
- Photo Size (KB) 5KB – 600KB
- Photo Dimensions 200×260 to 530×690 px
- Signature Size (KB) 3KB – 300KB
- Signature Dimensions 250×80 to 580×180 px
- Format JPG / JPEG
Pro Tip: Your face must cover 60% to 70% of the photograph. Most studio photos are fine, but WhatsApp profile pictures are not — the face is usually too small.
NEET 2026 — NTA's Three Documents
NEET (UG) is unique because it requires three separate image uploads: a passport-size photo, a postcard-size photo, and a signature. Many students miss the postcard requirement entirely.
Passport Photo
10KB – 200KB, white background, 80% face, name + date at bottom.
Postcard (4×6)
10KB – 200KB, 4 inches × 6 inches, high resolution required.
Signature
4KB – 30KB, black ink, cursive style, white paper only.
Critical Warning
NTA requires the photograph to be taken on or after January 1, 2026. Using an older photo is a direct rejection. Always check the date requirement in your specific notification PDF.
TNPSC 2026 — The Strict 50KB Rule
Tamil Nadu PSC has one of the strictest file size limits of any Indian exam portal. At just 50KB maximum, most standard DSLR photos will fail. The portal simply blocks any upload above this limit without a clear error message.
TNPSC Requirements:
- Photo Dimensions 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (125×165 px)
- Photo Max Size Max 50KB
- Signature Dimensions 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm (125×80 px)
- Signature Size 20KB – 30KB
Key Requirement: TNPSC photos must have your name and the date the photo was taken printed in black text at the bottom. This is mandatory and unique to Tamil Nadu PSC. Most photo studios in Tamil Nadu are aware of this requirement.
KPSC Kerala (Thulasi) — Exact Pixel Dimensions
Kerala PSC uses the Thulasi portal. Unlike other exams that specify dimensions in centimeters, KPSC is very specific about pixel counts. The photo must be exactly 150×200 pixels.
KPSC Thulasi Requirements:
- Photo Dimensions 150 × 200 px
- Photo Max Size Max 30KB
- Signature Dimensions 150 × 100 px
- Signature Max Size Max 30KB
Like TNPSC, KPSC also requires the candidate's name and date to be inscribed at the bottom of the photograph. This is a state PSC convention in South India.
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