India · photo requirements
A India OCI Card photo is 51 × 51 mm
Short answer
A India OCI Card photo must be 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in), usually 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI, with a off white background and head height 50–70% of the frame.
Official rule table
Catalog mapping — always confirm on the government site.
| Requirement | Official rule |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) |
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px @ 300 DPI |
| Background | off white (#F5F5F5) |
| Head size | 50–70% of frame (25.5–35.7 mm (1.00–1.40 in)) |
| Eye line from bottom | 50–70% |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed |
| Headwear | Fashion hats not permitted; religious covering only where policy allows |
| File size | Typically ≤ 200 KB |
How to make this photo
- Stand 1.5–2 metres from the camera, camera at eye height, against a plain off white wall.
- Include the top of the hair, both ears if the document requires them, and the upper shoulders — do not crop…
- Open Create with India OCI Card selected, upload the portrait, and read the compliance report.
- If the verdict is Retake, fix the listed official rule and photograph again.
Common rejection traps
- · Head height outside the official band
- · Chin sitting on the bottom edge (shoulders missing)
- · Glasses glare or tinted lenses where glasses are not permitted
- · Shadows or a non-plain background
- · Wrong pixel size or file too large for the portal
Questions
What size is a India OCI Card photo?
51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in). Digital export in this catalog is 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI.
What is the India OCI Card photo size in pixels?
600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI in the PicsForm catalog. Re-check the live portal if it publishes a different pixel cap.
Can I wear glasses in a India OCI Card photo?
Not permitted
Can I smile in a India OCI Card photo?
Neutral expression, mouth closed
What background does a India OCI Card photo need?
Plain off white (#F5F5F5). Keep it even — no pattern, shadow, or extra people.
What head size does India OCI Card require?
Chin-to-crown should occupy 50–70% of the photo height (25.5 mm (1.00 in) to 35.7 mm (1.40 in)).
Can I take a India OCI Card photo with my phone?
Yes, if the camera is at eye level, the face is sharp, lighting is even, and the crop matches the published size. PicsForm can check a phone portrait against this document’s catalog rules. It cannot invent missing shoulders or guarantee an embassy will accept the file.
Can I use an old India OCI Card photo?
Most authorities want a recent likeness (often within six months) that still looks like you. Reuse an old file only if it still matches the current size, background, and appearance rules.
Source method
- PicsForm does not invent photo specifications.
- Each catalog row is mapped to a published government or issuing-authority page when a URL exists.
- Where a rule is ambiguous (for example a visa processed by a local VAC with extra crop rules), the product labels Review instead of treating a guess as compliance.
- Last-checked dates record when a human last opened the official page. They are not a government certification.