Everything you need to know about India ID Card photo requirements, including exact dimensions, background color, pose rules, and how to prepare a compliant photo for various Indian government and institutional ID card applications.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | India (Bharat) |
| Document Type | ID Card (General Government/Institutional) |
| Photo Size | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inch) — Square format |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 × 600 pixels (at 600 DPI) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 70–80% of the photo |
| Background Color | White, plain and uniform |
| Color | Color only (correct skin tone, no red-eye) |
| Format | Printed or digital, depending on application |
The 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square photo format is widely used for various Indian government and institutional identification cards. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo meets the standard requirements.
Glasses are NOT allowed in India ID card photos. Remove glasses before taking the photo to ensure your eyes and facial features are clearly visible without any glare, reflections, or obstruction.
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant India ID card photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking an ID card-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows on both sides of your face.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 meters in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is clearly visible on both sides.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. The horizontal line between your eyes should be parallel to the top edge of the photo.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable ID photos
An India ID Card photo must be 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) — a square format where width equals height. At 600 DPI, this translates to 600×600 pixels. Your head should occupy 70–80% of the photo area.
The 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square format is used for various Indian government and institutional ID cards, including employee ID cards, government service ID cards, student ID cards, and other institutional identification documents. For passports, use 35×45 mm instead.
The background must be plain white. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. Both sides of the face must be equally lit with no shadows. Our tool automatically replaces your background with white.
No. Glasses are not allowed in India ID card photos. Remove glasses before taking the photo to ensure your eyes and facial features are clearly visible without any glare or reflections.
Yes! You can take your ID card photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop to the correct 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) square format, remove and replace the background with white, and ensure it meets all requirements.
Yes, the India ID Card photo is a square format — 51×51 mm (2×2 inches). The width and height are equal. This is different from the more common 35×45 mm portrait format used for Indian passports and other ID documents.
The India Passport photo is 35×45 mm in portrait orientation (rectangular), while the India ID Card photo is 51×51 mm (2×2 inches) in square format. Both require a white background, no glasses, and a neutral expression with similar pose requirements.
No, hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn for religious reasons. Even then, your full face must be clearly visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead and ear to ear. The head covering must not cast any shadows.
