Which forms still cap at 20 KB?
| Form | Specification |
|---|---|
| SSC online application | Photo 20-50 KB, signature 10-20 KB |
| IBPS bank exam form | Photo 20-50 KB, signature 10-20 KB |
| UPSC online application | Photo 20-300 KB |
| Railway RRB online form | Photo 20-100 KB, signature 10-30 KB |
| State PSC exams | Photo 20-50 KB typical |
Who actually needs a photo this small?
- SSC CGL / CHSL / CPO photo upload
- IBPS PO / Clerk / SO bank exam form
- IBPS RRB regional rural bank exam
- UPSC Civil Services Preliminary form
- Railway RRB Group D / NTPC application
- State Public Service Commission exams
- Police constable / sub-inspector recruitment
- Defence (NDA / CDS / AFCAT) forms
What does a 20 KB photo really look like?
Straight off the phone
2.1 MB
1200 × 1600, selfie camera
After one pass
19 KB
200 × 230 · JPEG quality 48
Quality 48 is the lowest of any rung on this site, and it is why 20 KB is the size where the background matters more than the face. On a plain wall the compression has almost nothing to describe and the result is clean. On a patterned curtain it spends its whole budget on the pattern.
Why has this limit never been raised?
Because 20 KB predates smartphone cameras. Portals that still cap here were specified when a scanned passport photo was the expected input and a 2 megapixel camera was expensive — 20 KB was generous then. The limit survives because the form still functions, and nobody rewrites a working form. It is why SSC and IBPS uploads remain the most common reason anyone searches for this size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compress an image to 20KB?
Upload your photo, the tool auto-targets 20 KB output via binary search on JPEG quality. If quality alone can't reach 20 KB, it auto-downscales pixels (typically to ~200×230 px which is the standard Indian exam-photo size). Output downloads as JPG.
Will my photo quality be readable at 20KB?
For exam-form photos at 200×230 pixels (the standard Indian exam-photo size), yes — readable face, identifiable features, acceptable to all government scrutiny. For larger photos forced to 20 KB, expect visible JPEG compression artifacts.
Which Indian forms need 20KB photos?
SSC (CGL, CHSL, CPO), IBPS (PO, Clerk, SO, RRB), Railway RRB, UPSC (sometimes), State PSCs, police constable recruitment, defence exams (NDA, CDS, AFCAT). Always check your specific form's "photo specifications" page.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Compression runs entirely in your browser via Canvas API. Your photo never reaches our server. Safe for ID photos and exam form uploads.
What if I need both photo and signature at 20KB?
Run the tool twice — once for your photo (200×230 px @ 20 KB), once for your signature (140×60 px @ 10-20 KB). Most Indian exam forms require both at separate small file sizes.