NSDL PAN Photo Resizer: Solve the 200 DPI and 50KB Upload Problem

Applying for a New PAN Card or Correction via the Protean (formerly NSDL) portal? If you are stuck at the document upload stage, you are likely facing the dreaded “Invalid Resolution” or “File Size Mismatch” error.

The NSDL portal is notoriously strict. Unlike other government forms, it doesn’t just check if your photo looks good, it checks the digital metadata for a specific 200 DPI scan. Here is how our NSDL PAN Photo Resizer provides the perfect solution to your upload problems.

The Problem: Why Your PAN Photo Gets Rejected

Most applicants fail the automated upload check because of three technical hurdles:

1. The 200 DPI Requirement: Standard smartphone photos are shot at 72 or 96 DPI. Even if the photo is clear, the NSDL server will reject it if the resolution density isn’t calibrated to 200 DPI.
2. The “Too Small” Error: When you crop a photo to the required 3.5 x 2.5 cm, the file size often drops below 10KB. The portal requires a higher “data weight” to ensure print quality on the physical card.
3. Dimension Mismatch: PAN cards require a narrow vertical portrait. A standard passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm) is too tall and will be rejected.

The Solution: Precision 200 DPI Calibration

Our NSDL PAN Photo Resizer is not a generic compressor. It is a specialized tool hard-coded with the Protean (NSDL) logic.

How it Solves Your Problem:

• Force-Fix DPI: Our tool sets the internal pixel dimensions to 276 x 197, which digitally mimics the 200 DPI scan required by NSDL.
• Safe-Zone Size: The tool uses a “Force-Weight” algorithm to ensure your file stays between 20KB and 50KB, preventing the “Low Quality” rejection error.
• Aspect Ratio Lock: The crop box is locked to the official 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm standard.

NSDL PAN Card Photo Checklist (2026)

Specification	Official Requirement
Physical Size	3.5 cm (Height) x 2.5 cm (Width)
Digital Pixels	276 x 197 px (at 200 DPI)
File Size	20KB to 50KB
Background	Plain White (Mandatory)
Face Coverage	70% to 80% of the frame

Step-by-Step: How to Resize Photo for PAN Card

To ensure your application is accepted on the first try, follow these steps:

1. Capture: Take a photo against a white wall. Ensure there are no shadows on your face.
2. Upload: Use the NSDL PAN Photo Resizer above.
3. Crop: Adjust the box so your head and shoulders are centered (75% coverage).
4. Download: Save the JPEG. It will be perfectly sized at ~35KB and calibrated for 200 DPI.

Next Step: After fixing your photo, don’t forget your signature! Use our NSDL PAN Signature Resizer to fix the 2×4.5 cm horizontal requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)