Portals reject uploads in two ways: instantly (an error such as "file size should be between 20 KB and 50 KB") or later, during scrutiny, when a person looks at your photo. The first is annoying; the second can cost you an admit card. These are the reasons we see most often, with a fix for each.
Errors the portal shows immediately
1. File is too large
Phone photos are 2–6 MB; bank exams allow 50 KB. Fix: resize to the exact pixel size first — a smaller image compresses far better — then lower JPG quality. The exam resizer does both automatically.
2. File is too small
Common with signatures: a clean 140×60 image is only a few KB. Fix: use maximum JPG quality; if still short, a tool that pads the JPG (ours does) brings it above the minimum without changing the image.
3. Wrong dimensions
Some portals check pixels exactly (e.g. 200×230). Fix: crop to the same shape first, then resize — never stretch a photo into a different shape.
4. Wrong format (PNG, HEIC, WEBP, PDF)
iPhones save HEIC; screenshots are PNG. Almost every Indian exam wants JPG/JPEG. Fix: export as JPG — our tools always output JPG.
5. File name or extension problems
Some older portals reject names with spaces or ".jpeg" vs ".jpg". Fix: rename to something simple like photo.jpg.
6. Upload times out
Usually a slow connection or a portal under deadline-day load. Fix: keep files near the lower end of the KB range and upload early — not on the last day.
Problems found during scrutiny
7. Dark or coloured background
Fix: retake against a white wall, standing half a metre from it, facing a window. See how to take an exam photo with your phone.
8. Face not clearly visible
Too small in the frame, hair over the eyes, sunglasses, heavy shadow. Fix: the face should fill roughly 50–70% of the photo height.
9. Edited or filtered photo
Beauty filters, background blur and AI edits are grounds for rejection — NTA asks for photos without alteration. Fix: use the plain camera mode.
10. Old photo
Notifications typically require a photo from the last 3–6 months, and it must match your face at the exam centre. Fix: take a fresh one.
11. Signature in capital letters, faint or cut off
Fix: follow our signature scanning guide — black gel pen, white paper, tight crop.
12. Photo and signature swapped
It happens more than you think on mobile. Fix: name files clearly (photo.jpg, sign.jpg) and check the preview before submitting.
Already submitted a bad photo?
Many portals (IBPS, SSC, NTA) open a correction window after registration closes. Watch the official website for it, and re-upload the corrected image there. If there is no correction window, contact the exam helpdesk listed in the notification.