In India, a passport-size photo is standard on resumes and CVs. The correct size is 3.5×4.5 cm (portrait), JPEG format, 50–200 KB for portal uploads, white background, formal attire. Use PhotoFit to resize your photo to passport dimensions and compress to the right size in 30 seconds — free, no upload required.
| Recommended size | 3.5×4.5 cm (passport size, portrait orientation) |
| Pixels (approx) | 413×531 px at 300 DPI |
| File size | 50–200 KB for portals; no limit for Word/PDF |
| Format | JPEG for portals; PNG acceptable for Word/PDF |
| Background | White or light plain (professional) |
| Attire | Formal — shirt/kurta for men, formal top for women |
| Expression | Neutral to slight smile, professional look |
In India, unlike Western countries, including a passport-size photo on the top right of your resume is common and expected — especially for government job applications, PSU positions, and many private sector roles. Job portals like Naukri.com also have profile photo fields. A professional passport-size photo improves your resume's first impression.
Use a passport-size photo: 3.5×4.5 cm (approximately 413×531 px at 300 DPI). For job portal uploads, keep the file under 200 KB in JPEG format. For a Word or PDF resume, any size JPEG works but the print size should remain 3.5×4.5 cm on the printed page.
White is universally safe and professional for Indian resumes. Light grey is acceptable for creative roles. Avoid coloured backgrounds, outdoor scenes, or patterned backgrounds. A white background conveys professionalism and ensures the photo looks sharp when printed in black and white.
Stand against a white wall in good natural light (near a window, not direct sunlight). Wear formal attire. Have someone take the photo with your phone — avoid selfies for resumes. Crop to 3.5×4.5 cm ratio, then compress to under 200 KB using PhotoFit. The entire process takes under 2 minutes.