India PAN Card

Last verified 2026-06-28 against Protean / Income Tax PAN application instructions

Government-spec dimensions, head positioning, and file constraints.

Pixel size
295 × 413 px
Print size
25 × 35 mm · 300 DPI
Background
white#FFFFFF
Face height
58–72% · target 65%
Eye line
52%64% from bottom
File size limit
25 mm · 295 px35 mm · 413 px
Face height: 58%–72% (target 65%)Eye line: 52%–64% (target 58%)

Note: PAN application photograph; 3.5 x 2.5 cm, front view, white or light background

Dimensions

  • Print size: 25 x 35 mm portrait output
  • Documented photo slot: 3.5 x 2.5 cm
  • Pixel size: 295 x 413 px
  • DPI: approximately 300 DPI
  • Color mode: sRGB color only

Head position

  • Head height as fraction of frame: approximately 58%-72%
  • Eye line from bottom of frame: approximately 52%-64%
  • Head position: Full face, front view, head upright
  • Shoulders: Square to camera

Background

  • Color: Plain white or light background
  • Requirements: No shadows, no texture, no patterns, and no objects behind the subject

Expression

  • Neutral expression
  • Both eyes open and clearly visible
  • Look directly at the camera

Accessories

  • Eyeglasses: Avoid glare and any frame obstruction of the eyes
  • Sunglasses / tinted lenses: Prohibited
  • Head coverings: Avoid unless required for religious reasons; the full face must remain visible
  • Hats / non-religious head coverings: Prohibited

Other rules

  • Use a recent, clear, unaltered photograph
  • No filters, retouching, or beautification
  • Keep the face fully visible

Notes

  • PAN application forms describe a 3.5 x 2.5 cm photograph area; the generated output is the portrait 25 x 35 mm crop that fits that slot.
  • This is not an ICAO travel-document crop, so it uses a smaller face-height target than India's passport preset.

Sources

Can I wear glasses for a PAN card photo?

Avoid glare and any frame obstruction of the eyes. Removing glasses is safest for a clear front-view photograph.

Can I wear a head covering?

Avoid hats and ordinary head coverings. If a religious covering is worn, keep the full face visible.

What expression should I use?

Use a neutral, front-facing expression with both eyes open and the face clearly visible.

How recent does the photo need to be?

Use a recent, unaltered photo that reflects your current appearance.

What dimensions should I use?

Use the portrait PAN photo output: 25 x 35 mm, generated as 295 x 413 px, on a white or light background.

Credit card · 85.6 × 54 mmPrint · 25 x 35 mm
Visual proportions, not actual size — depends on viewport DPI.
03 — Compliance engine

Live validation
against the actual rulebook.

Every crop is measured against the published tolerance ranges for the selected document. Pass or warn, in real time — no "submit and hope."

VALIDATOR · IN_PANALL CHECKS PASS
Dimensions
295 × 413 px
exact
295×413
Face height
58% – 72%
target 65%
65%
Eye line
52% – 64%
target 58%
58%
Background
white
ΔE < 3
#FFFFFF
File size
JPEG q=92
182 KB
Sharpness
no motion blur
Laplacian var
1,284

The same checks the authority will run — before you submit.

  • Face height & eye line measured from the pupil midpoint with sub-pixel accuracy, clamped to the tolerance range your authority publishes.
  • Background colour checked across a sampled grid — catches gradients and fringe from poor segmentation (ΔE < 3 against spec).
  • File-size ceiling enforced per-spec — recompressed silently for sub-60 KB e-visa portals, lossless for print.
  • Sharpness & expression guards warn on blur, closed eyes, or non-neutral expressions before you export.

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