What is the correct photo size for PAN card application?
The NSDL/UTIITSL portal requires a photo of 3.5 cm (height) × 2.5 cm (width) in portrait orientation. The file must be in JPEG format, at least 200 DPI, and between 20 KB and 50 KB in size. Our tool automatically outputs exactly 276×197 pixels at 200 DPI, producing a file in the 40–50 KB range which is well within the acceptable limit.
What size should my signature be for PAN card?
Your signature image should be 4.5 cm (width) × 2 cm (height) in landscape orientation — wider than it is tall. Sign with black or blue ink on plain white paper, photograph clearly in good lighting. Our tool locks the crop ratio to exactly 4.5×2 cm and outputs the file at 200 DPI within 40–50 KB.
Why does the PAN portal ask for 200 DPI? What does DPI mean?
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch — it describes the print resolution metadata stored inside a JPEG file. 200 DPI means if the image were printed at those physical dimensions (3.5×2.5 cm), it would have 200 dots per inch of detail. The actual pixel count is fixed (197×276 px for photo), but the DPI tag tells printing systems and portals the intended physical print size. Our tool patches the JPEG binary directly to embed the 200 DPI value in the JFIF header.
Why do I need to merge Aadhaar front and back into one PDF?
The NSDL PAN card portal's "Upload Supporting Documents" section typically accepts a single PDF per document type. Since Aadhaar has two sides, you need to combine them into one PDF file. Our tool crops both images to the exact same height, merges them side-by-side, and generates a single-page PDF that is accepted as address/identity proof.
Is my photo uploaded to your server? Is it private?
No. Absolutely nothing is uploaded to any server. All image processing — cropping, resizing, DPI injection, and PDF generation — happens entirely inside your browser using JavaScript. Your photos never leave your device. You can even use this tool with Wi-Fi turned off after the page loads.
My photo file size is below 40 KB even after cropping. What should I do?
This can happen when the image has very simple content (e.g., a plain white background with minimal detail). The tool will display a yellow warning chip showing the actual KB. In practice, most portals accept files from 20 KB upward — the 50 KB limit is an upper cap, not a minimum. If the portal rejects it, try using a photo with slightly more detail or texture in the background.
Can I rename the downloaded photo / signature file?
Yes! After cropping, the filename field becomes editable. Click on it and type any name you want (e.g., ram_photo.jpeg). The Download button will use that name when saving the file. By default it downloads as photo.jpeg and signature.jpeg respectively.
Which documents are accepted as identity/address proof for PAN card?
Common accepted documents include: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, Ration Card, Bank Statement, Electricity Bill, and Telephone Bill. Aadhaar is the most commonly used and instantly accepted. For identity proof documents, front and back of Aadhaar merged into a single PDF is the simplest option.