Most PAN card application errors are caused by incorrect photo or signature dimensions. A picture that is too large, a file that exceeds the KB limit, or a signature that is not cropped properly can instantly cause rejection. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to crop and resize your PAN card photo and signature properly.
This complete guide explains the official dimensions, gives you the step-by-step process, and shares the best tools to use. By the end, you will know exactly how to prepare perfect files for both NSDL (Protean) and UTIITSL applications.
Official PAN Card Photo and Signature Dimensions
| Type | NSDL (Protean) | UTI |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | 3.5 × 2.5 cm (~276×197 px), 200 DPI | 213 × 213 px, 300 DPI |
| Signature | 4.5 × 2 cm (~354×157 px), 200 DPI | 400 × 200 px, 600 DPI |
Make sure you follow these exact specifications. Even being a few pixels or a few KB off can lead to errors on the portal.
Step 1: Scan or Capture a Clear Image
- Photo: Stand against a plain, light-colored background with good lighting. Avoid shadows or overexposed images.
- Signature: Use a dark blue or black pen on a plain white sheet. Don’t add boxes, lines, or colored backgrounds.
- Capture Method: A scanner gives the best results, but a high-quality smartphone camera also works well.
Step 2: Crop the Image to the Correct Area
Cropping removes unnecessary background space, making the file look neat and reducing the size. Your face or signature should fill most of the frame.
- On Mobile: Use the built-in gallery editor or free apps like Snapseed, Adobe Scan, or the iPhone Photos editor.
- On PC: Open in Paint (Windows) or Preview (Mac) and drag to select only the necessary area.
Pro Tip: Crop tightly so that only your face or signature remains visible without leaving too much blank space.
Step 3: Resize to the Exact Pixel Dimensions
Resizing ensures your file passes the automatic checks done by NSDL and UTI portals. Without resizing, you may keep facing rejection errors.
- Online Tools: The fastest way is to use PanResizer.com. Upload your file, choose NSDL or UTI, and download the correctly sized image instantly.
- Other Options: You can also try ResizeImage.net, iLoveIMG, or Photopea for manual resizing.
- DPI Setting: Always check and set the DPI value according to the table above (200/300/600 DPI).
Step 4: Save in the Correct Format and Check File Size
- File Format: Save as JPG (JPEG) for NSDL. For UTI, JPG, JPEG, or PNG are accepted.
- File Size: Stay under the official KB limit (50 KB for NSDL, 30/60 KB for UTI).
- Compression: If your file is still too large, compress it using PanResizer.com or iLovePDF.
Official PAN Card Application Links
| Portal | Link |
|---|---|
| NSDL (Protean) | NSDL PAN Portal |
| UTIITSL | UTIITSL PAN Services |
| Apply Online | NSDL Application Form |
Quick Tips for Flawless Cropping & Resizing
- Always crop tightly and avoid unnecessary background space.
- Double-check both pixel size and file KB size before uploading.
- Prefer tools that handle cropping, resizing, DPI, and compression all at once.
- Keep a backup of your original file in case you need to edit again.
Save time and avoid delays in your PAN card application!