Every year, thousands of Staff Selection Commission applications run into trouble at the very last step because of the SSC photo and signature resize requirements. The commission is strict about dimensions, file size and format, and the portal will simply block an upload that does not match. This guide lists the exact specifications used by SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and similar exams, then walks you through resizing both the photograph and the signature correctly.
SSC Photo and Signature Resize Specifications
Before you touch any editing tool, note down what the portal expects. The values below reflect the commonly published SSC requirements; always confirm on your specific notification because the commission does revise them.
| Item | File size | Dimensions | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 20 KB to 50 KB | Approx. 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (passport style) | JPEG |
| Signature | 10 KB to 20 KB | Approx. 4 cm x 2 cm | JPEG |
Photo content rules
The photo should be recent (usually taken within three months), in colour, with a plain light background, and the printed date of capture is often required on the photo itself. Do not wear caps or dark glasses, and keep the face covering about three-fourths of the frame.
How to Resize Your SSC Photograph
On a computer
1. Open the photo in Windows Paint.
2. Click Resize, select Pixels, and set the width to about 413 pixels for a 3.5 cm width at print resolution; the height adjusts automatically to roughly 531 pixels.
3. Save As JPEG and check the file size via right-click and Properties.
4. If the file exceeds 50 KB, re-save with slightly smaller dimensions until it sits in the 20 to 50 KB band.
On a phone
Use your mobile browser with any basic on-page image resizer: pick the photo, set the target dimensions, choose JPEG output and adjust quality until the size lands between 20 KB and 50 KB. Our step-by-step pillar guide on how to resize a photo to 20 KB covers the same technique in more detail.
How to Resize Your SSC Signature
Sign it properly first
Sign with a black or dark blue pen on plain white paper. Make the signature large and clear; a small cramped signature scans badly. Do not sign in capital letters only, as some notifications explicitly disallow that.
Scan or photograph the signature
Place the paper under good light and photograph it straight from above, or use a scanner at 200 DPI. Crop tightly around the signature so there is minimal white space, then resize to roughly 4 cm x 2 cm equivalent pixels and save as JPEG in the 10 to 20 KB range. For pen choice, paper and scanning angles, see our full guide on preparing a signature for online forms.
Uploading on the SSC Portal Without Errors
Log in to the registration page, choose the photograph and signature files separately, and preview both before final submission. If the preview looks stretched, your aspect ratio is wrong; go back and crop to the correct proportions rather than letting the portal distort the image.
If the portal rejects your file
Read the error message carefully. A size error means you must compress further; a dimension error means you must crop or resize; a format error almost always means you uploaded PNG instead of JPEG. Fix only the property mentioned, re-check, and upload again.
Checklist Before Final Submission
- Photo is JPEG, 20 KB to 50 KB, passport proportions, light background.
- Signature is JPEG, 10 KB to 20 KB, dark ink on white paper.
- Both previews look sharp and undistorted on the portal.
- The photo shows the capture date if the notification demands it.
- You have saved backup copies of both final files for later stages like admit card verification.
FAQ
Can I use the same photo and signature for CGL and CHSL?
Yes, provided the photo remains recent as per each notification and both files still meet the size limits. Keep the originals safe because the same images may be matched during document verification.
My signature file is 25 KB. Will SSC accept it?
No. If the limit is 20 KB, the portal will normally block the upload. Crop excess white space, reduce dimensions slightly, or lower JPEG quality until the file is within the range.
Does SSC accept photos taken on a mobile phone?
Yes, as long as the result meets the specifications: plain background, proper lighting, correct proportions and file size. A phone photo taken against a white wall in daylight works well.
