PAN Card Photo & Signature Size: NSDL & UTIITSL Specifications (213×213 px)

Whether applying for a new Permanent Account Number (Form 49A) or requesting corrections to an existing PAN card through the Protean (formerly NSDL e-Gov) or UTIITSL portals, applicants encounter strict document validation gates.

The most common stumbling block is the exact 213 × 213 pixel requirement combined with a maximum file size cap of 50 KB. When smartphone camera pictures (often measuring 4000×3000 px and 4 MB in size) are uploaded directly, the portal rejects them with errors like “Incorrect file dimensions” or “File size exceeds 50 KB limit”.

1. Why 213 × 213 Pixels at 200 DPI?

In the physical printing industry, a standard Indian passport/PAN portrait measures approximately 3.5 cm in height by 2.5 cm (or ~1.06 inches) in width. At a standard printing density of 200 DPI (dots per inch):

Both NSDL and UTIITSL calibrate their card-printing laser engraving systems to this exact 213×213 pixel canvas. If an uploaded image deviates from 213×213 by even a single pixel (e.g., 214×214 or 200×200), the automated pre-flight validator rejects the image.

2. Photo Composition Standards for PAN Cards

• Background: Pure plain white or off-white background. Colored walls, nature backdrops, or shadows are not permitted.
• Face Visibility: Candidate face must cover approximately 70% to 80% of the photograph, looking straight into the camera lens with a neutral expression.
• Color Mode: The photograph must be in color (RGB). Black and white or greyscale portraits are not accepted for new cards.
• Glare & Reflections: Avoid flash reflections on spectacles. Sunglasses or decorative eyewear are prohibited.

3. PAN Signature Guidelines

Your signature is engraved onto the physical PVC/laminated PAN card under your photograph:

• Ink & Paper: Sign on a clean, unruled sheet of white paper using a black ink pen or dark blue ballpoint pen.
• Cropping: Crop closely around the signature without leaving excessive empty white borders.
• Dimensions: NSDL specifies 400 × 200 pixels at 200 DPI; UTIITSL forms accept 213 × 213 pixels or proportional rectangles. Both mandate a file size strictly under 50 KB.
• No Capital Block Letters: The signature must be in natural handwriting. Signatures executed in all-caps block lettering are treated as invalid.

4. Supporting Documents: PDF Under 300 KB

In addition to photo and signature, applicants must upload proof documents (Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, Driving Licence, or Bank Statement):

• Must be saved as a PDF file (image formats like JPG are rejected for supporting proofs).
• Must be scanned in Greyscale or Black & White at 200 DPI to prevent file sizes from ballooning.
• Maximum permissible file size is 300 KB.
• You can combine your ID images into a compliant PDF using our free Image to PDF Converter.

5. How to Resize and Compress for PAN Card on Mobile

1. Take a frontal portrait against a light wall and sign on white paper.
2. Open ToolKB’s PAN Card Resizer Tool.
3. Select “Photograph” (automatically resizes to 213×213 px at high clarity) or “Signature” (automatically sets 400×200 px).
4. The browser-based compression engine limits the file to approximately 25 KB–35 KB—well under the 50 KB maximum ceiling.
5. Download your ready-to-upload JPG files and submit on the NSDL or UTIITSL portal without errors.

Top 3 PAN Application Upload Errors