UPSC Recruitment 2026: Photo, Signature and Document Checklist
UPSC's Advertisement 12/2026 opened applications on 26 September 2026 for 13 direct recruitment posts, closing 16 October 2026. It uses the same Common Application Form as UPSC's other exams: a 20-200KB uploaded photo plus a live capture, a 20-100KB triple signature, and a separate 50-300KB PDF for every certificate you claim.
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UPSC's Advertisement No. 12/2026 opened online applications on 26 September 2026 for 13 direct recruitment posts, closing at 6 PM on 16 October 2026 on upsconline.nic.in. It runs on the same Common Application Form (CAF) as UPSC's other recruitments, so the photo is a JPG of 20KB to 200KB that you both upload and capture live, the signature is three black-ink signatures in one JPG of 20KB to 100KB at 350-500 pixels, and every certificate you upload to support a claim is a separate PDF of 50KB to 300KB.
What Advertisement 12/2026 covers
The 13 vacancies are spread across four organisations: one Junior Technical Officer (Sugar Technology) at the National Sugar Institute, Kanpur; eight Assistant Legislative Counsel (Grade IV) posts in the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice; three Law Officer posts in Delhi's Land and Building Department; and one Specialist Grade II (Cardiology) post at the New Delhi Municipal Council. Shortlisted candidates are called for interview; if applications are large in number, the Commission may shortlist by criteria such as higher qualifications or experience, or by holding a Recruitment Test. The application fee is Rs 25, waived for SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates of any community; OBC, EWS and unreserved male candidates pay the full fee, and it is non-refundable once paid.
| Document | Format | File size (KB) | Dimensions | Other rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph (uploaded) | JPG, colour | 20KB to 200KB | Face covers at least 75% of the photo | Plain white background, both ear lobes visible, not signed; file named "photo" |
| Live photograph | Captured in the CAF | Not applicable | - | Must be clear, taken while filling the CAF, per the portal's instructions |
| Signature (three signatures, one image) | JPG | 20KB to 100KB | 350 to 500 pixels | Signed three times, one below the other, black ink on plain white paper; file named "signature" |
| Photo ID (Aadhaar or other) | JPG | 20KB to 200KB | - | File named "id_card"; Aadhaar is recommended as the ID |
| Certificate for each claim (DOB, education, caste, disability, experience, etc.) | 50KB to 300KB | - | One PDF per claim, uploaded separately in the Document Upload Module |
Source: UPSC Advertisement No. 12/2026 (applications from 26 September 2026), Notes 2 and 3 on "How to Apply", and UPSC Online's "Instructions for uploading documents" PDF (checked September 2026). The advertisement repeats the same photo, live-capture and triple-signature notes used across current UPSC recruitments, which we cover in full in our UPSC photo and signature size guide.
Prepare a portal-ready photo.jpg and signature.jpg in one pass with the UPSC photo and signature resizer, then shrink each certificate scan to the required range with the compress PDF to 200KB tool.
UPSC photo and signature resizer
Photo: colour JPG, 20 to 200 KB, saved as photo. Signature: JPG, 20 to 100 KB, 350 to 500 px, saved as signature.
Runs in your browser. Your file never leaves your device. Open the full UPSC Photo & Signature Resize page
Step by step: applying to Advt 12/2026
- Register on upsconline.nic.in and complete Universal Registration if you do not already have a URN from an earlier UPSC application.
- Fill or review your Common Application Form (CAF): personal details, educational qualification and category, using Aadhaar-based verification where possible.
- Upload a plain white-background photo (JPG, 20-200KB, face covering 75% of the frame) named "photo", then complete the separate live photo capture step in the CAF.
- Sign three times, one below the other, in black ink on plain white paper, scan it as one image, and upload it as "signature" (JPG, 20-100KB, 350-500 pixels); our UPSC three-signature format guide walks through the crop and layout in detail.
- Open the fourth, post-specific module for Advertisement 12/2026 and choose the post you are eligible for and want to be considered for.
- Upload a separate PDF (50-300KB) for every claim you are making: date of birth, educational qualification, caste or disability certificate, experience letters, age relaxation proof or name-change documents, as applicable to you.
- Preview every field and every uploaded file carefully, since the advertisement does not allow correction after submission.
- Submit before 6 PM on 16 October 2026 and save the printout of your application along with your URN and application number.
Which certificates you actually need to upload
Because this is a direct recruitment by selection rather than a written exam, the document list matters more than it does for UPSC's Civil Services exam. The advertisement asks you to upload, as a separate PDF against each claim: your Matriculation or Class 10 certificate for date of birth, your degree or diploma certificate for the qualification claimed, experience certificates from the head of each organisation or department you worked in (stating the duration, basic pay and duties), a caste certificate if you are claiming SC/ST/OBC reservation, an OBC non-creamy-layer declaration if applicable, a disability certificate from a government medical board if you are a PwBD candidate, and supporting documents for a name change or an age relaxation claim, if any of these apply to you. The current instructions do not ask for a name and date printed on the photo; that was an older rule, explained in our UPSC photo with name and date post.
The advertisement states plainly that candidates will not be allowed to withdraw their application after submission, and no correction, alteration or modification of any field is permitted afterward. Documents like a pay slip, resume, appointment letter, relieving letter or an unsigned experience certificate must not be uploaded in the Document Upload Module at all.
Checklist before you submit
- Photo uploaded (20-200KB JPG) and live capture completed, both clear.
- Signature signed three times in black ink, scanned as one 20-100KB, 350-500px image.
- A separate 50-300KB PDF ready for every claim you plan to make, in your own name, not a generic resume or pay slip.
- Post preference and category details reviewed carefully, since nothing can be changed after you submit.
- Application printout and your URN plus application number saved somewhere safe.
Tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for UPSC Advertisement 12/2026?
The 13 posts are Junior Technical Officer (Sugar Technology), Assistant Legislative Counsel (Grade IV), Law Officer and Specialist Grade II (Cardiology), each with its own qualification and experience conditions. Check the full advertisement on upsc.gov.in for the exact eligibility for the post you want.
Is there a written exam for these posts?
No written exam is guaranteed. Shortlisted candidates are called for interview, and if the number of applications is large, UPSC may shortlist using criteria such as desirable qualifications or extra experience, or by holding a Recruitment Test.
Can I reuse the photo and signature from my earlier UPSC application?
You can reuse your Universal Registration Number (URN) and profile, but you should still check that your existing photo and signature files meet the current 20-200KB and 20-100KB rules before you submit this application, since files that were accepted years ago may not meet today's standard.
What is the application fee and who is exempt?
The fee is Rs 25. SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates of any community do not have to pay it. OBC, EWS and unreserved male candidates must pay the full fee, and it is not refunded once paid.
Can I correct my application after submitting it?
No. The advertisement states that no correction, alteration or modification of any field is allowed after submission, and applications cannot be withdrawn either.
Do I need to upload every certificate listed in the advertisement?
Only the ones that support a claim you are actually making. For example, upload a caste certificate only if you are claiming SC/ST/OBC reservation, and a disability certificate only if you are a PwBD candidate.
Sources
- UPSC Advertisement No. 12/2026 (checked 2026-09)
- UPSC Online: Instructions for uploading documents (checked 2026-09)
Rules and limits change. Always check the latest official notification or portal before you submit a form.