PAN Card Photo, Signature and Document Size (Protean/NSDL)
PAN application uploads: photo and signature as JPEG at 200 dpi, documents as PDF up to 300 KB per page. The official sizes for each Protean mode, and how to hit them.
By the PDFToast team · Updated 15 October 2026
For a PAN application on Protean (formerly NSDL), upload your photo and signature as JPEG files scanned at 200 dpi, and your proof documents as PDF files of no more than 300 KB per page. The KB limit for the photo and signature depends on the mode: Protean lists 50 KB for each in its e-Sign guidance and 20 KB (photo) and 10 KB (signature) in its DSC instructions. If you keep the photo under 20 KB and the signature under 10 KB, you’re within both.
Checked on 15 October 2026 against Protean’s scanning and uploading guide and its DSC instructions. If the upload screen shows a different limit, follow the screen. UTIITSL applications have their own rules on the UTIITSL portal.
The official sizes
| Item | Format | Resolution | e-Sign mode (Protean guide) | DSC mode (Protean instructions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | JPEG, colour | 200 dpi | Max 50 KB, 5 cm x 2.5 cm | Max 20 KB, 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm |
| Signature | JPEG | 200 dpi | Max 50 KB, 2 cm x 4.5 cm | Max 10 KB, 2 cm x 4.5 cm |
| Proof documents (ID, address, date of birth) | 200 dpi | Max 300 KB per page | Max 300 KB per page, black and white, PDF/A or JPEG |
You only upload these if you choose to submit scanned images. If you apply with Aadhaar-based e-KYC, the photo and details come from Aadhaar and there’s less to upload.
What those centimetres are in pixels
Online resizers ask for pixels, not centimetres. At 200 dpi, 1 cm is about 79 pixels:
| Size in cm | Pixels at 200 dpi |
|---|---|
| 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm (photo, height x width) | about 276 x 197 px |
| 5 cm x 2.5 cm (photo, e-Sign guide) | about 394 x 197 px |
| 2 cm x 4.5 cm (signature, height x width) | about 157 x 354 px |
How to make the PAN photo under 20 KB
- Take a clear, well-lit photo against a plain white wall, or scan a passport-size print.
- Open Resize image to KB.
- Set the maximum to 20 KB (or 50 KB if your screen says so). If you want an exact pixel size, type 197 x 276 px.
- Download the JPG and check that your face is sharp.
How to make the PAN signature under 10 KB
- Sign in black ink on plain white paper. Protean says never to sign on a patterned or coloured background.
- Photograph or scan just the signature, with a little white space around it.
- Open Resize image to KB, set the maximum to 10 KB, and optionally 354 x 157 px.
- Download. A signature on white paper usually stays crisp even at 10 KB.
For other forms, the Exam photo and signature resizer has presets for SSC, UPSC and IBPS.
How to get PAN documents under 300 KB per page
Proof of identity, address and date of birth, such as Aadhaar, a voter ID, a passport or a birth certificate, go in as PDF.
- Paper document: use Scan to PDF with the black and white filter. Protean asks for black and white scans of documents, and they’re also the smallest.
- PDF you already have: Compress PDF to 300 KB for a one-page document. For a two-page document, the limit is per page, so Compress to size at about 550 KB leaves a margin.
- e-Aadhaar PDF: it’s password-protected. Remove the password with Unlock Aadhaar PDF first (the password format is explained here). If the form accepts it, use a masked Aadhaar that hides the first 8 digits.
- Photo of a document (JPG): convert it with JPG to PDF, then compress.
Protean also notes that utility bills, bank statements and credit card statements used as address proof must be less than 3 months old.
Common PAN upload problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “File size exceeds limit” on the photo | Phone photo is 2–4 MB | Resize to under 20 KB |
| Signature looks grey or blurry | Photographed in poor light | Rescan in daylight on white paper, then resize |
| Document rejected | Scan unreadable or in colour at a large size | Rescan in black and white, compress to under 300 KB per page |
| PDF won’t upload | Password-protected PDF | Unlock it first |
| Photo looks squashed | Pixel size typed in the wrong order | Height is the bigger number for the photo: 276 tall x 197 wide |
Keep your PAN documents private
A PAN application bundles your photo, signature, Aadhaar and address proof, which is everything someone needs to misuse your identity. Many free resizers and compressors upload your files to their servers. PDFToast resizes and compresses inside your browser, so your documents stay on your device. Here’s how to check any PDF site.
For exam and scholarship portals, see our photo, signature and document size chart and the NSP scholarship size guide.
Questions
What is the photo size for a PAN card application?
On Protean (NSDL), the photo is a JPEG scanned at 200 dpi. For the e-Sign mode Protean lists a maximum of 50 KB at 5 cm x 2.5 cm; its DSC-mode instructions list a maximum of 20 KB at 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm, in colour. Aim for under 20 KB and you meet both.
What is the signature size for PAN card upload?
A JPEG at 200 dpi, 2 cm x 4.5 cm. Protean's e-Sign guidance gives a maximum of 50 KB; its DSC instructions give 10 KB. Sign in black ink on plain white paper, then resize the scan to under 10 KB to be safe.
What size should PAN supporting documents be?
PDF, at most 300 KB per page, scanned at 200 dpi in black and white according to Protean's instructions. A one-page Aadhaar or birth certificate should therefore be under 300 KB.