PAN card photo and signature size: NSDL (Protean) vs UTIITSL
Checked against official sources on 17 October 2026 · Protean (NSDL) PAN guidelines; UTIITSL values noted separately
PAN applications can be made through Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL, and the two portals ask for different image files. Uploading a file made for one portal to the other is a common reason for rejection.
Protean's own guideline page gives the sizes below. For UTIITSL we could not find the scanning specification on UTIITSL's own website, so those values are shown separately and clearly marked.
Official upload sizes
| File | Format | File size | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo (Protean / NSDL) | JPEG, colour | Max 20 KB | 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm at 200 DPI (about 197 × 276 px) |
| Signature (Protean / NSDL) | JPEG, colour | Max 10 KB | 2 cm × 4.5 cm at 200 DPI (about 354 × 157 px) |
| Supporting documents (Protean / NSDL) | PDF/A or JPEG, black & white | Max 300 KB per page | 200 DPI |
| Photo (UTIITSL)Confirm in your notice | JPEG, colour | Under 30 KB | 213 × 213 px at 300 DPIWidely quoted; not found on UTIITSL's own site. |
| Signature (UTIITSL)Confirm in your notice | JPEG, black & white | Under 60 KB | 600 DPIWidely quoted; not found on UTIITSL's own site. |
Common rejection reasons
- Using a square UTIITSL photo on Protean (or a Protean photo on UTIITSL).
- Photo over 20 KB or signature over 10 KB on Protean.
- Wrong DPI written in the file.
- Signature in coloured ink, faint or with a grey background.
- Scanning a passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm) instead of the 3.5 × 2.5 cm PAN size.
How to prepare your files
- 1Check which portal your application is on: Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL.
- 2Open the matching preset below. Width, height, KB limit and DPI are already filled in.
- 3Add your photo, adjust the crop and download.
- 4Repeat for the signature using the signature button.
Our tools work in your browser. Your photo and signature are never uploaded to OneDo Hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NSDL PAN photo size?
3.5 cm × 2.5 cm at 200 DPI, colour JPEG, maximum 20 KB. That is about 197 × 276 pixels.
What is the NSDL PAN signature size?
2 cm × 4.5 cm at 200 DPI, colour JPEG, maximum 10 KB. That is about 354 × 157 pixels.
What is the UTI PAN photo size?
213 × 213 pixels at 300 DPI under 30 KB is widely quoted, but we could not confirm it on UTIITSL's own site. Check the portal while you apply.
Why is my PAN photo rejected?
Most often the file was made for the other portal, is over the KB limit, or is a passport-size photo instead of the PAN size.
Official sources
Sizes checked against these official sources on 17 October 2026. Rules can change between years, so always double-check your latest exam notice or brochure before uploading. OneDo Hub is not affiliated with any exam body.