35×45 mm Rules checked Oct 17, 2026 Indian passport photo: size and rules
An Indian passport photo is 35 × 45 mm, printed. Plain white, no shadows. No glasses. Taken within the last 6 months. Take yours at home with PassportOwl: checked against every rule, accepted or your money back.
- Cropped to size and checked against every official rule
Top of head Chin Indian passport photo requirements
From the official source. We check each one on your photo.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain white, no shadows |
| Colour, on matte or glossy photo paper | |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Head covering | Religious only; chin to forehead visible |
| Taken | In the last 6 months |
Rules to know
- 35x45 mm, two identical photos
- Also upload a 630x810 px photo on the passport portal
- No glasses, no flash reflection
- Wear a coloured shirt; shoulders visible
- ICAO-compliant, not edited
Source: Checklist: adult reissue of passport (Oct 13, 2026) - VFS Global USA , ICAO photo notice - Consulate General of India, San Francisco , Guidelines for ICAO compliant photographs (MEA, via Embassy of India Manila) . Checked Oct 17, 2026. PassportOwl is not affiliated with any government.
How to take an Indian passport photo at home
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Find a plain wall
The background rule is: plain white, no shadows. Stand a step or two in front of the wall, not against it, so your shadow does not fall on it.
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Use soft, even light
Face a window in daylight or a soft lamp, so both sides of your face are lit the same. Avoid light from above or behind you, which makes shadows on the face.
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Hold the camera at eye level
Hold the phone straight, at eye level and about an arm’s length away, or ask someone to take it. The owl guide on screen tells you when your head is straight, centred and the right size.
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Keep a neutral face
Look straight at the camera with your mouth closed and both eyes open. Do not smile. Take your glasses off: they are not allowed. Head coverings: religious only; chin to forehead visible.
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Let us size and check it
We crop the photo to 35×45 mm and check it against each rule. You see the result before you pay.
Good and bad photo examples
20 common reasons an Indian passport photo gets rejected. Tap any example to see why.
A good photo
Sharp and in color, with even light and no shadows. The head is straight, facing the camera and the right size, on a plain white background.
How to fix:
We check this on your photo:
Example photos, generated; not real people.
Common reasons for rejection
We check each one before you pay.
- The wrong size: a US 2 × 2 inch photo (51 × 51 mm) is not 35 × 45 mm.
- A background that does not match the rule: plain white, no shadows.
- Shadows on the face or on the wall behind you.
- Glasses of any kind.
- A smile, an open mouth or closed eyes.
- A photo that is too old: it must be taken in the last 6 months.
- An edited photo: filters, beauty modes, smoothing or a replaced background change how you look. We never retouch photos; we only crop and size them.
Printing your Indian passport photo
Your download includes a 4 × 6 inch print sheet with 35 × 45 mm photos and cut lines. Print it as a standard 4 × 6 photo at any photo counter (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and others) or on a home photo printer, on matte or glossy photo paper, at 100% size with any crop or fill option turned off.
You need 2 photos for the application. Cut along the lines with a ruler and a sharp blade or scissors, and do not fold or staple the photo over the face.
Questions
What size is an Indian passport photo?
35×45 mm (35 × 45 mm).
Can I use a US passport photo for my Indian passport?
No. A US passport photo is 2 × 2 inches; the Indian passport needs 35×45 mm, with a different head size.
Can I take an Indian passport photo at home?
Yes. Take it with your phone or webcam, or upload one. We crop it to 35×45 mm, check it against every official rule and show you the result before you pay.
Is it guaranteed?
Yes. If the Indian passport is turned down for a photo reason, we refund you in full and make you a new photo, free.
Can I wear glasses?
No glasses.
What background does an Indian passport photo need?
Plain white, no shadows. Stand a step or two away from a plain wall and use soft, even light so there are no shadows behind you.
Can I smile in my Indian passport photo?
No. Keep a neutral face with your mouth closed and both eyes open.
Can I wear a hijab or other head covering in my Indian passport photo?
Religious only; chin to forehead visible.
How recent must my Indian passport photo be?
Taken in the last 6 months, and it should look like you do now.
How many photos do I need for an Indian passport?
2 photos, according to the official source. Check your application form, because some offices ask for more.
