Exam Guides 4 min read • Updated October 2026

1. The Common Mistakes in SSC Photo Submissions

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) uses automated image validation software that automatically rejects applications when photos do not conform to published standards. The top 3 reasons for rejection are:

• Spectacles / Glasses: Even clear reading glasses cause reflection glares and will cause automatic rejection.
• Cap, Hat or Dark Shadows: Both ears, forehead, and jawline must be clearly visible.
• File Size Outside 20 KB to 50 KB: The SSC server will not accept files smaller than 20 KB or larger than 50 KB.

2. Step-by-Step Photo Resizing Guide

1. Take a clear frontal photograph against a plain white or light-coloured background.
2. Open our Photo Resizer and select the "SSC (3.5 x 4.5 cm)" preset.
3. Ensure the facial features take up approximately 70% to 80% of the photo area.
4. Check that the estimated file size is between 35 KB and 48 KB.
5. Click Download Resized Photo.

3. Step-by-Step Signature Preparation (10 KB to 20 KB)

1. Sign on a clean sheet of white unruled paper using a black ballpoint pen.
2. Do not sign in block or capital letters. Signatures in full capital letters are invalid.
3. Snap a picture with your phone camera and upload to our Signature Resizer.
4. Toggle "Boost Ink Contrast" to remove paper shadows and make the ink stand out.
5. Verify the file size is between 12 KB and 19.5 KB and download.

Ready to Prepare Your Application Documents?

Use our free tools to resize photos, prepare signatures, and compile PDFs.