UPSC Three Signatures in One Image: Format and How to Make It
For UPSC's online application, sign your name three times, one below the other, on plain white paper in black pen, then upload all three as one JPG named "signature", between 20KB and 100KB and 350-500 pixels, as per UPSC's current portal upload instructions and the CSE 2026 notice.
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For UPSC's online application, sign your name three times, one below the other, on a plain white sheet in black ink, and upload all three as a single JPG named "signature" between 20KB and 100KB and 350 to 500 pixels. The three-signature rule comes from the CSE 2026 notice, and the size, pixels and file name come from UPSC's current "Instructions for uploading documents" on the candidate portal.
Make the upload in one go with the UPSC photo and signature resizer. It saves a 450 x 450 px signature.jpg between 20KB and 100KB, already named the way the portal wants.
UPSC resizer, set to 350 to 500 px and 20 to 100 KB
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
Why UPSC wants three signatures instead of one
The CSE 2026 notice (No. 05/2026-CSE) simply says applicants must sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink, and that the signatures must be clear and legible. It does not give a reason, but the effect is that UPSC gets three samples of your natural signature to compare at later stages, instead of one that may look different on exam day. Consistency across the three matters more than making each one look identical.
Step by step: create the three-signature image
- Take a clean, plain white sheet of paper, unlined if possible, and a black pen.
- Sign your usual signature, the same way you sign cheques or official documents.
- Leave a small gap, then sign again directly below it.
- Leave the same gap and sign a third time, keeping all three roughly the same size and evenly spaced.
- Scan the sheet, or photograph it in good, even light with the camera directly above the paper, so there are no shadows.
- Crop tightly around the three signatures using the image cropper, leaving a small white margin.
- Resize it with the UPSC photo and signature resizer so it is a JPG of 20KB to 100KB, 350 to 500 pixels, named "signature".
Getting a clean scan from a phone photo
UPSC's instructions ask for a signature image that is clear, well lit and without shadows. A phone photo usually has some background shadow or a yellow tint from indoor lighting, which can make the file look messy even if the size is correct. Run it through the signature resizer first if you want a proper white background and sharp dark ink, then size it for UPSC. A clean input compresses to a smaller, clearer file.
Spec table
| Document | Format | File size (KB) | Dimensions | Other rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature (three, one below the other) | JPG | 20 to 100 | 350 to 500 pixels | Black pen on clean white paper, scanned, clear, no shadows; file named "signature" |
| Photograph (uploaded) | JPG, colour | 20 to 200 | Face covers at least 75% of the photo | Plain white background, both ears visible, not signed; file named "photo"; a live photo is also captured in the form |
Source: UPSC candidate portal, "Instructions for uploading documents" (checked September 2026) for format, KB, pixels and file names, and UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE for the three signatures and the live photo. The portal says a document will not upload if any other file name, format or size is used. You may still see "20KB to 300KB" on older pages: that figure came from UPSC's July 2024 examination FAQ and has been replaced by the limits above. For the full list of UPSC uploads, see our UPSC photo and signature size guide.
Do not type or digitally recreate the signature. UPSC asks for signatures on paper in black ink, and your natural handwritten signature should match what you sign at the exam centre.
Where this fits in UPSC's application portal
As per the CSE 2026 notification, UPSC's online application portal has four modules: Account creation, Universal Registration and the Common Application Form (CAF), which are common to all exams, plus an exam specific module. The signature is uploaded in the "Photo & Signature" section of your profile, so the image you upload now carries forward to future UPSC applications. It is worth getting right the first time rather than rushing it for a single deadline.
The same notification says changes to your profile apply only to applications submitted after you make them and re-lock the profile. So if your signature has changed noticeably, update it before you submit the next application, not after.
Signature mismatch and what it can cost you
UPSC and most competitive exams compare your uploaded signature against the one you write on the attendance sheet at the exam centre, and again at later stages such as document verification or the interview. A signature that looks nothing like your natural handwriting can raise questions during verification. This is exactly why the format asks for three repetitions of your real signature rather than one carefully drawn "best" attempt: the natural variation across three honest signatures is expected and normal.
Scanning versus photographing
UPSC's instructions say "scan your signature", and a flatbed scanner usually gives a flatter, more evenly lit image than a phone camera, which helps the file stay well under 100KB at good quality. If you only have a phone, place the sheet on a plain, well lit surface, hold the phone directly above it rather than at an angle, and avoid flash, which often creates a bright glare on glossy paper.
Common mistakes
- Signing three times but on different sheets or at very different sizes, which looks inconsistent when stacked together.
- Using blue ink or a pencil instead of a black pen.
- Cropping so tightly that part of a signature is cut off, especially the top of the first or the bottom of the third.
- Keeping a phone file name like IMG_2031.jpg. The portal only accepts the file if it is named exactly "signature".
- Exporting a file above 100KB because an old page said 300KB was fine.
- Forgetting the photo has separate rules. Our post on the UPSC photo with name and date explains what the photo check looks for now.
Once your three-signature image is ready, keep a copy saved as signature.jpg, so you have it ready if you later need to update your profile or apply for another UPSC exam.
Tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign the three signatures on separate sheets and combine them digitally?
It is safer to sign all three on the same sheet in one sitting, since this is what most candidates do and what the format expects. If you do combine separate signatures digitally, keep them consistent in size, spacing and ink so the final image does not look assembled.
Does the signature have to be in English?
Sign the way you normally sign official documents, which for most candidates is in English or a mix of English and their regional script. What matters most is that it matches your usual signature and stays consistent across the three repetitions.
What if my signature is naturally very small or very large?
Sign at your natural size rather than forcing it bigger or smaller, then let the resizer tool scale the final cropped image to the required dimensions. Forcing an unnatural size often makes the signature look different from how you actually sign.
Can I use the same three-signature image for the photograph too?
No, the photograph and the signature are separate uploads with separate specifications. Keep them as two different files.
What should I name the signature file?
Name it exactly "signature", so the file is signature.jpg. UPSC's portal instructions say a document will not upload if any other file name, format or size is used.
Is the UPSC signature limit 20-300KB or 20-100KB?
UPSC's current "Instructions for uploading documents" on the candidate portal say 20KB to 100KB and 350 to 500 pixels for the signature, saved as a JPG named "signature". The 20KB to 300KB figure came from UPSC's July 2024 examination FAQ and is outdated. Check the portal instructions for your exam before you upload.
Sources
- UPSC candidate portal: Instructions for uploading documents (checked 2026-09)
- UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (04.02.2026) (checked 2026-09)
- UPSC Examination FAQ, July 2024 (older 20-300KB rule) (checked 2026-09)
Rules and limits change. Always check the latest official notification or portal before you submit a form.