A passport-size photograph is a standardized small portrait photo used for official identification. It is required during the KYC process to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or get credit cards. Banks use it to match your face with your ID documents and store it in their records. With digital KYC, physical photos are increasingly being replaced by live selfies.

• Opening a bank account
  affixed to the account opening form for KYC identification

• Credit card applications
  attached to the physical application form

• Loan processing
  required for applicant and co-applicant identification

• Fixed deposits and mutual funds
  needed for offline KYC registration

• Demat account opening
  mandatory for offline account setup

• Updating KYC records
  required during periodic KYC updates at the branch

• Locker facility
  required to maintain a physical record of the locker holder

• Any individual residing in India

• NRIs and foreign nationals

• Minors and infants (with specific photo guidelines)

1. 1

   Visit a local photo studio with good lighting

2. 2

   Wear professional or decent casual clothes in a color that contrasts with a white or light background

3. 3

   Maintain a neutral expression and look directly at the camera

4. 4

   Ensure your face covers 70 to 80 percent of the frame

5. 5

   Ask the photographer to print in standard passport size (usually 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)

6. 6

   Get digital copies emailed to you for online applications

• Local photo studios

• Self-clicked using smartphone cameras with good lighting and plain background

• Banks visually match the physical or digital photo against the applicant present in person or via video

• Compared visually against the photo printed on your Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID

• Physical print
  used for offline paper forms at bank branches

• Digital copy (JPEG/PNG)
  uploaded during online account opening or digital KYC

• Live selfie
  captured in real-time by the bank app during Video KYC (V-CIP) or digital onboarding

• Stamp-size photo
  occasionally asked for specific internal bank forms, though rarely nowadays

1. 1

   To update your photo in bank records, visit your home branch

2. 2

   Fill out a KYC update form

3. 3

   Paste your new passport-size photograph

4. 4

   Submit along with a self-attested copy of your OVD (Officially Valid Document)

1. 1

   If physical copies are lost, reprint them using the saved digital file from the studio

2. 2

   If the digital file is lost, visit a studio to get new photos clicked

• Standard Indian passport photo size is generally 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm

• Banks strictly require photos to be less than 6 months old

• Video KYC (V-CIP) eliminates the need for physical photos by taking a live, geo-tagged selfie

• Self-attestation (signing across the photo) is often required when submitting physical forms

• Wearing spectacles is allowed if there is no glare on the lenses, but tinted glasses or sunglasses are strictly rejected

• Head coverings are only allowed for religious reasons and must not obscure the face

• Digital photos should have a file size usually between 20KB and 50KB for online bank portals

• Using a very old photo resulting in rejection; always use a photo taken within the last 6 months

• Submitting a blurred or pixelated photo causing delays; ensure high-quality prints

• Having a dark or busy background; always use a plain white or light-colored background

• Wearing sunglasses or tinted lenses; wear clear glasses or remove them

• Signing completely over your face; sign across the bottom edge partially on the photo and partially on the paper

• Using unnatural filters or heavy editing; use unedited raw photos for KYC

• Smiling too widely or making faces; keep a neutral expression with a closed mouth

• Do not leave spare photographs lying around at unverified agent offices to prevent misuse

• When self-attesting, sign across the photo and the form so the photo cannot be peeled off and reused

• Cross out or write 'Submitted to bank for purpose' on the back of the physical photo

• Ensure the digital copy you share with agents has a watermark if sent via messaging apps

• Be cautious of fake online loan apps asking for your photo, as they may use it for blackmail

• rbi.org.in
• passportindia.gov.in

Last checked: 4 November 2026

Rules, fees and timelines change. Always confirm on the official website before you apply.