NEET 2026 Postcard Photo & Passport Photo Size: Dimensions, Background & Rules

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), administered annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), requires medical aspirants to submit multiple photo formats during online registration at exams.nta.ac.in/NEET. Among these, the 4×6 inch Postcard Size Photograph causes the highest volume of candidate queries and re-upload requests.

Candidates who submit high-resolution scans of their 4×6 physical postcard prints frequently find their file size exceeds 2 MB to 5 MB. Attempting to compress this image on generic web compressors often degrades readability or distorts the aspect ratio. Here is the complete breakdown of NTA rules to guarantee approval on the first attempt.

1. Passport Photo vs. Postcard Photo: Understanding the Difference

NTA asks for two separate photo uploads:

• Passport Size Photo: Used on your online application form and printed on the NEET Admit Card. It follows a traditional 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm proportion.
• Postcard Size Photo (4" × 6"): This must be identical in appearance to your passport photo (taken during the same studio session). During the examination day, candidates must affix a physical 4×6 print of this exact photo onto the designated Postcard Proforma inside the exam hall in the presence of the Invigilator.

2. The 80% Face Coverage & Background Standard

NTA’s Information Bulletin outlines unambiguous photographic rules:

• Background: Must be pure white. Blue, grey, patterned, or blurred background photos are strictly disqualified.
• 80% Face Coverage: The face (forehead to chin) must cover 80% of the photograph. Both ears must be clearly visible. Hair must not obscure eyes, eyebrows, or face contours.
• Spectacles: Regular corrective spectacles are permitted only if they do not cause reflection or glare on the lenses. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are barred.
• Caps & Religious Attire: Caps and hats are disallowed. If candidates wear customary religious headwear (such as turbans or hijabs), the full face from forehead to chin must remain clearly identifiable without shadow.

3. Name and Date of Photography Imprint

At the bottom of both the passport and postcard photos, the candidate’s full name and the date of taking the photograph must be visibly printed in dark text against a white label strip.

Photographs must not be older than the date specified in the official NTA notification (typically taken on or after January 1st of the exam year).

4. Compressing 4×6 Postcard Photos to under 200 KB

A 4×6 inch photo scanned at 300 DPI produces a high-resolution 1200×1800 pixel image with a file size typically around 2 MB to 4 MB. However, NTA sets a strict ceiling of 200 KB.

To bring a 3 MB postcard image down to under 200 KB without creating JPEG artifacts or pixelated edges around your face:

1. Scan or capture the 4×6 postcard portrait.
2. Open ToolKB’s client-side NEET Photo Resizer or Compress Image to 200KB.
3. The tool automatically performs bicubic resampling and iteratively calculates the optimal JPEG compression factor in your local browser engine.
4. Download the file (typically 150 KB to 180 KB), perfectly preserving the printed name, date, and sharp facial features.

5. NTA NEET Signature & Finger Impressions Checklist

Common NTA Rejection Warnings & Solutions