Every SSC recruitment cycle — CGL, CHSL, MTS, Stenographer — brings a fresh wave of candidates confused about the photo and signature upload requirements. The specifications are published in the official notification, but they are buried deep and change slightly between exams.
This guide extracts the core requirements from recent SSC notifications and explains what each specification actually means so you can prepare your files correctly the first time.
Photo & Signature Specifications at a Glance
| Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| Dimensions | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm |
| File Size | 20 KB – 50 KB |
| Background | Plain white / light grey |
| Face Coverage | 75–80% of frame |
| Recency | Taken within 3 months |
| Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| Dimensions | 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm |
| File Size | 10 KB – 20 KB |
| Ink Color | Black or dark blue pen |
| Background | Plain white paper |
| Style | Full signature (not initials) |
What Each Requirement Actually Means
- Format JPEG / JPG — PNG and HEIC files are never accepted. If your phone takes HEIC photos (common on iPhones), convert them to JPG before starting.
- File size 20 KB – 50 KB (photo) — The portal rejects both files that are too large AND files that are suspiciously small (under 20 KB usually means over-compressed and unreadable). Target the middle of the range: 35–45 KB.
- File size 10 KB – 20 KB (signature) — Signatures are smaller so a tighter range applies. Black ink on plain white paper photographed in good light compresses very efficiently.
- Background plain white — Outdoor selfies or photos with furniture, walls, or shadows in the background trigger manual scrutiny during document verification and can lead to form rejection.
- Recency within 3 months — Using a passport photo from two years ago is a common reason for rejection at document verification, even if it looked fine during online submission.
The Merged Photo+Signature Format (SSC Pattern)
Some SSC application screens require a single merged image — your photo on the left and signature on the right — rather than two separate uploads. The merged canvas is typically 350 × 200 pixels or similar, with specific proportions for each half.
Shrinkify's SSC Photo & Signature Merger handles this automatically: drag in your photo and signature separately and the tool assembles the correctly proportioned merged image at the right file size.
Common Rejection Reasons (and How to Avoid Them)
- Uploading a PNG instead of JPEG — always check the file extension in your downloads folder before submitting.
- Photo taken against a coloured or patterned wall — plain white or very light grey is the only safe choice.
- Signature scanned from notebook paper (visible ruled lines) — sign on plain blank paper.
- File too small (under 20 KB) — indicates over-compression; increase quality slightly and re-export.
- Glasses in the photo — SSC now follows the same guideline as passport authorities: no spectacles.
One final reminder: SSC changes specifications between exam cycles. This guide reflects recent notifications, but always open the official notification PDF for your specific exam and cross-check the photo/signature section before your final submission.