TNPSC Guide • Updated April 2026
TNPSC Photo Size & Specifications Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about TNPSC photo and signature requirements — exact pixel dimensions, KB limits, DPI, and how to avoid the most common application rejections.
Quick Specifications at a Glance
Photograph
- Dimensions: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (passport size)
- Pixels: approx 280 × 360 px @ 200 DPI
- File size: 20 KB – 50 KB
- Format: JPG / JPEG only
- Resolution: 200 DPI
- Background: Plain white preferred
Signature
- Dimensions: 6 cm × 3 cm
- Pixels: approx 240 × 120 px @ 200 DPI
- File size: 10 KB – 20 KB
- Format: JPG / JPEG only
- Resolution: 200 DPI
- Ink: Black or dark blue pen on white paper
Why TNPSC Photo Specifications Matter
Every year, thousands of TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission) applications get rejected — not because the candidate isn’t eligible, but because the uploaded photograph or signature doesn’t meet the technical requirements. The TNPSC One Time Registration (OTR) portal performs strict server-side checks on every uploaded file. If your image is even slightly outside the accepted size, dimension, or format range, the upload either fails immediately or — worse — gets accepted and later flagged during certificate verification, causing your candidature to be cancelled.
This guide collects the latest 2026 photo and signature requirements based on the official TNPSC notifications and the actual behaviour of the OTR upload portal. It also explains how to fix the most common mistakes in seconds using our free TNPSC Photo & Signature Compressor.
Pixel Dimensions Explained
TNPSC defines its photo size in centimetres (3.5 × 4.5 cm), but you upload digital files measured in pixels. The conversion depends on the resolution (DPI). At the required 200 DPI, the math works out as follows:
- Photo: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm = 1.378 in × 1.772 in → approximately 275 × 354 pixels. Most candidates use a slightly larger 280 × 360 px image, which is well within tolerance.
- Signature: 6 cm × 3 cm = 2.362 in × 1.181 in → approximately 236 × 118 pixels. A 240 × 120 px image is the practical safe choice.
Why do dimensions matter so much? Because TNPSC prints your photo and signature on the hall ticket, attendance sheets, and final appointment order. If the source pixels are too few, the printout looks blurry. If they’re too many, the file size balloons past the 50 KB ceiling and the upload fails.
KB Limits — Why 20-50 KB and 10-20 KB?
The KB limits exist for two reasons: storage cost across crores of records, and bandwidth on exam day when hundreds of thousands of hall tickets are downloaded simultaneously. The accepted ranges are deliberately tight:
Photo: 20 KB – 50 KB
Below 20 KB, the JPEG compression introduces visible artefacts on faces. Above 50 KB, the OTR portal rejects the upload with the error “File size exceeds maximum allowed.”
Signature: 10 KB – 20 KB
Signatures are simpler line art and compress aggressively. Files smaller than 10 KB usually mean the resolution dropped too low. Files above 20 KB are blocked.
Hitting these ranges by hand is painful — a single Photoshop “Save for Web” pass rarely lands the file in the exact window. Our online compressor uses a binary search on JPEG quality so that the final output always falls inside the target band on the first try.
The 200 DPI Requirement
DPI (dots per inch) is metadata stored inside the JPEG file — specifically in the JFIF APP0 marker. Most smartphones save photos at 72 DPI by default, which means even a perfectly sized image will fail TNPSC validation if the DPI tag isn’t corrected to 200.
You cannot change DPI by simply renaming the file. The JFIF header has to be rewritten. Our compressor does this automatically — every photo and signature it produces is tagged with 200 DPI in the file metadata, so it passes server-side validation without question.
Top 10 Reasons TNPSC Photos Get Rejected
- Wrong file format — PNG, HEIC, or WebP files are not accepted. Only JPG/JPEG.
- File size out of range — Most common cause. Phone photos are typically 2-5 MB, way over the 50 KB cap.
- DPI not 200 — Smartphone defaults to 72 DPI; needs to be re-tagged to 200.
- Wrong dimensions — Square selfies or full-body photos get auto-rejected.
- Selfie angle — Photos must be taken straight-on, not from above or below.
- Coloured background — Plain white or off-white only. Patterned walls are rejected.
- Sunglasses, caps, or face coverings — Face must be fully visible from forehead to chin.
- Old photo — Photo must be taken within the last 6 months. Outdated photos cause issues during interview verification.
- Signature too light — Pencil signatures or faint ink scans get rejected.
- Signature not on white paper — Coloured paper, lined notebooks, or backgrounds with shadow are flagged.
Step-by-Step: Compress & Upload Correctly
Step 1 — Take a fresh photo
Stand against a plain white wall in even daylight. Face the camera straight, no smile, no head tilt. Use the rear camera of a phone for sharpness. Crop tightly so the head and shoulders fill the frame.
Step 2 — Sign on white paper
Use a black or dark blue pen and a plain white A4 sheet. Sign within a 6 × 3 cm rectangle. Photograph or scan the signature with even lighting. Avoid shadows.
Step 3 — Open the compressor
Visit our free TNPSC Photo Compressor. Choose Photo or Signature mode. Drag and drop your file or tap to browse from your device.
Step 4 — Add the name strip (photo only)
Enter your full name and the date. The tool prints them on a white strip below the photo — a small detail that several TNPSC application portals now require.
Step 5 — Download the JPG
The downloaded file is named exactly Photograph.jpg or Signature.jpg, already inside the correct KB range and tagged at 200 DPI.
Step 6 — Upload to TNPSC OTR
Log in to the TNPSC OTR portal, navigate to the upload section, and select the file. The portal will accept it immediately and show a green confirmation tick.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use WhatsApp-compressed images — they strip metadata and reduce quality.
- Don’t upload screenshots — they default to PNG and the wrong DPI.
- Don’t use online “random” image compressors — most output files at 72 DPI.
- Don’t rename a PNG to .jpg — the format inside the file matters, not the extension.
- Don’t use the same photo across multiple applications spanning years — keep it recent.
Quick Answers
Is colour photo allowed for TNPSC?
Yes. Recent colour photos with a plain white background are mandatory. Black & white photos are not accepted.
Can I use a selfie?
Yes, if it meets the dimensions, background, and angle requirements. Use the rear camera and a tripod or a friend if possible.
What if my photo is exactly 50 KB but over after compression?
Use our compressor — it targets 45-49 KB to leave headroom. Manual saves often overshoot by a few hundred bytes and get rejected.
Do I need to upload separately for each TNPSC exam?
No. Once uploaded to OTR, the same photo and signature are used across all TNPSC exams for the 5-year OTR validity period.
For more answers, see our full TNPSC FAQ page.