UPSC CDS Photo Size 2026
UPSC CDS needs the photograph as 20–200 KB · JPG. Add yours below and we make it exactly right, on your phone.
Add your Photograph
Stand against a plain white wall with light on your face. Keep both ears visible and fill most of the frame with your face.
We'll make it exactly the size UPSC CDS asks for.
JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC or PDF, up to 25 MB
Processed on your device. Never uploaded.
Unverified — sizes from secondary sources. Check the official notice before uploading. Notice: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II, dated 20.05.2026) · checked 22 Oct 2026 ·Source we used
Rules for the photograph
-
Photograph 20–200 KB
JPG
- Recent colour passport-style photo
- Plain white background
- Face covers about 75% of the photo, both ears visible
- No signature, name or date written on the photo
- Must match your live photo and your look at the exam
Tip: Stand against a plain white wall with light on your face. Keep both ears visible and fill most of the frame with your face.
UPSC CDS photograph: what is specific to this exam
These UPSC CDS 2026 rules come from secondary sources quoting “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II, dated 20.05.2026)”, page 2, last checked on 22 Oct 2026, not yet from the UPSC notice itself. The UPSC CDS form usually opens around December or May.
From our UPSC CDS notes
- CDS applicants are usually graduates, and many have already used the UPSC portal for NDA or the Civil Services exam. That helps, but reusing old files is where most CDS problems start.
- Your One-Time Registration profile is shared, so the photo there is the one CDS uses. Ask yourself:
- Is the photo still recent? If it was taken years ago for NDA, take a new one. Each application captures a live photo that is compared with it.
- Is your photo ID still valid? Use an ID you will carry to the centre, and check the size the form asks for.
- Photo: white background, face about 75% of the frame, both ears visible, nothing written on it. JPG, 20–200 KB.
UPSC CDS photograph compared with similar exams
- UPSC NDA & NA and UPSC Civil Services (CSE) use the same photograph size as UPSC CDS (20–200 KB · JPG), so one file passes all these forms while the photo is still recent. UPSC NDA & NA sizes · UPSC Civil Services (CSE) sizes
- Unlike IAF Agniveervayu, which wants 100–200 KB · JPG, UPSC CDS wants 20–200 KB · JPG. Make a separate file for each form. IAF Agniveervayu sizes
- Unlike SSC CPO (Delhi Police & CAPF SI), where the photo is taken live in the form, UPSC CDS wants an uploaded photo: 20–200 KB · JPG. SSC CPO (Delhi Police & CAPF SI) sizes
Upload errors and how to fix them
These are the messages the UPSC CDS portal shows. Each one has a fix.
- Error:
Image size should be between 20 KB and 200 KB
- Fix: The CDS photo must be at least 20 KB. Tiny WhatsApp-forwarded photos fail; use the original camera photo and Auto-fit.
- Error:
Live photo does not match uploaded photo
- Fix: Take the live photo in similar light and with the same glasses/beard as the uploaded photo. If you changed your look, upload a new photo first.
UPSC CDS photograph questions
What is the photo size for CDS?
JPG, 20–200 KB, recent colour photo on a white background with your face filling about 75% of the frame and both ears visible.
Can I use my NDA photo for CDS?
Only if it is still recent and you look the same. Both run through the UPSC OTR profile, so updating the photo there updates it for CDS too.