How to use it
- Tap the document you want to prepare — each one is already set to fit the official rules.
- Select a photo or scan from your phone. For the signature, thumb or declaration, the paper is cleaned to white and cropped automatically.
- Check the preview: the size and KB shown must be inside the official range.
- Download the JPG and upload it to the NDA & CDS application form. Your live photo is taken inside the form itself.
NDA & CDS upload requirements at a glance
From the official notification — NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 — Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II, and CDS Examination (II) 2026 — Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II, both dated 20.05.2026 (applications to 09.06.2026, exam 13.09.2026); common application form at upsconline.nic.in. Checked on 20 October 2026.
| Document | Size | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph (passport size) | Not specified | 20–200 KB | JPG, JPEG |
| Live photograph (webcam / QR on mobile) | Captured live in the form — nothing to upload | — | — |
| Signature (three signatures in one image) | 350–500 px each side | 20–100 KB | JPG, JPEG |
| Photo ID card (only if not using Aadhaar) (if applicable) | Not specified | 20–200 KB | JPG |
| Matriculation / 10th certificate (board_certificate) | Not specified | 50–300 KB | |
| Name-change affidavit / gazette notification (if applicable) (if applicable) | Not specified | 50–300 KB |
Rules for each document
Photograph (passport size)
- Official: “Upload a photo named photo in jpg format with a file size between 20KB and 200KB.” Form note: “Allowed Photo size: 20 KB to 200 KB, File format: jpg, jpeg”. Pixel dimensions are NOT stated.
- The file must be named exactly “photo” (e.g. photo.jpg) — the form refuses any other name.
- Colour photo, plain white background; face covers at least 75% (3/4th) of the photo; frontal view, head centred, both ears visible; eyes open; natural expression.
- Not accepted: dark background, uniform, coloured/dark glasses. No shadows on face or background; avoid glare on spectacles. “Photograph is NOT to be signed.”
Live photograph (webcam / QR on mobile)
- Both notices (Note 2): “Applicants are required to upload their photograph and also capture their live photograph while filling up the Common Application Form (CAF).”
- “The live photograph captured during the application process shall be matched with the passport-size photograph uploaded by the applicant. If a mismatch is detected between the two photographs, the applicant shall not be allowed to proceed further.”
- Good lighting; face clearly visible. Capture from the device webcam, or scan the QR code and use a phone.
Signature (three signatures in one image)
- Official: “File size: 20 KB – 100 KB … Image dimensions: 350 - 500 pixels”; form note: “The height and width of signature image must be between 350 and 500 pixels”.
- Both notices (Note 3): “Applicants are required to sign three times (one below the other) on a plain white paper using black ink and upload the same”. Adequate gap between signatures; all three in one image, properly oriented, on unruled paper.
- File must be named exactly “signature”. “Applications with signature files that do not meet the prescribed specifications will be rejected.”
Photo ID card (only if not using Aadhaar)
- Portal document table: Photo ID — jpg — 20KB–200KB — file name id_card.
- Both notices: keep the same photo ID for the exam and the SSB; Aadhaar is strongly advised for easy verification.
Matriculation / 10th certificate (board_certificate)
- Portal document table: Matriculation Board / Equivalent Certificate — Matriculation Profile — pdf — 50KB–300KB — file name board_certificate.
Name-change affidavit / gazette notification (if applicable)
- Portal document table: Name change Affidavit / Gazette Notification — Identity Profile — pdf — 50KB–300KB — file name name_change.
General instructions
- Neither notice prints a size: Notes 2–4 send candidates to “Instructions and FAQs” and “Instructions to upload documents” on upsconline.nic.in. Those are the same rules as UPSC CSE 2026.
- Account, Universal Registration (URN) and the Common Application Form are common to all UPSC examinations — the photo and signature uploaded there are reused for every UPSC exam you apply to.
- Face authentication of every candidate at the examination venue (para 11 of both notices).
Where these numbers come from
Every value on this page is taken from the official Union Public Service Commission documents below. If a newer notification is out, it takes priority.
- UPSC NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II (20.05.2026)
- UPSC CDS Examination (II) 2026 notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (20.05.2026)
- UPSC online – Instruction for photo & signature upload
- UPSC online – Instructions for uploading documents
- UPSC online – Common Application Form (live form notes)
- UPSC Calendar 2027 (NDA/CDS (I) 2027 notice date)
Where official sources disagree
- Photo pixel size is not stated anywhere official (figures like 350–1000 px on coaching sites are unverified).
- The UPSC form's own code counts KB as file bytes ÷ 1024 when it checks the photo (20–200 KB) and signature (20–100 KB) limits.
Next update: NDA & NA (I) 2027 and CDS (I) 2027 notices are due 02.12.2026 per UPSC's Calendar 2027 — re-check then.