If your PAN card application got rejected or stuck, there’s a good chance the photo or signature size is the reason. Here’s the catch most people don’t know: NSDL (Protean) and UTIITSL use different photo specifications — and uploading the wrong one is one of the most common causes of PAN application errors.
This guide breaks down the exact size for both portals, so you can get it right the first time.
How do I know which portal I’m using?
Check the website where you started your application:
- onlineservices.proteantech.in → you’re on NSDL (Protean)
- www.utiitsl.com → you’re on UTIITSL
If you’re not sure, look at the URL in your browser while filling out the form — it’ll be one of the two above.
Also read: How to Set Up and Optimize a Google Maps Business Listing (Step-by-Step Guide)
NSDL (Protean) PAN Photo & Signature Size
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm (~197 × 276 px) |
| Signature size | 4.5 cm × 2 cm |
| Format | JPEG |
| Background | Plain white or light background |
| File size | Typically 20 KB – 50 KB |
UTIITSL PAN Photo & Signature Size
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 213 × 213 px (square) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Signature size | 213 × 213 px |
| Format | JPEG |
| Background | Plain white or light background |
Common Reasons PAN Photos Get Rejected
- Wrong dimensions for the portal you applied through
- Background isn’t plain white or light
- File size too large or too small for the portal’s limit
- Blurry or low-resolution source photo
- Signature not clearly visible against the background
How to Resize Your PAN Photo and Signature for Free
You don’t need Photoshop or a photo studio for this. Here’s the quick way:
- Check your portal (NSDL or UTIITSL) using the tip above.
- Take or choose a clear photo with a plain background.
- Use a free online resizer to crop it to the exact size your portal needs.
- Do the same for your signature — sign on plain white paper, photograph it, and resize.
- Download and upload both files directly to your application form.
👉 You can do all of this in one place with our free PAN Card Photo & Signature Resizer — it automatically applies the correct NSDL or UTIITSL size, keeps your file within the required KB range, and runs entirely in your browser, so your photo is never uploaded to a server.
FAQs
1. What is the PAN card photo size for NSDL?
3.5 cm × 2.5 cm (approximately 197 × 276 pixels), JPEG format, plain background.
2. What is the PAN card photo size for UTIITSL?
213 × 213 pixels at 300 DPI, JPEG format, plain background.
3. What is the PAN card signature size?
4.5 cm × 2 cm for NSDL; 213 × 213 px for UTIITSL.
4. Why was my PAN photo rejected?
Usually because the size didn’t match the portal’s requirement, the background wasn’t plain, or the file size was outside the accepted KB range.
5. Can I use the same photo for both NSDL and UTIITSL?
You can use the same source photo, but it needs to be resized differently for each portal — they don’t accept the same dimensions.
6. Is there a free tool to resize PAN card photos correctly?
Yes — our PAN Card Photo & Signature Resizer handles both NSDL and UTIITSL sizing for free, with no signup.