UPSC Signature Size Guide 2026 – Complete Requirements for OTR, DAF & Civil Services

Understanding UPSC Signature Requirements

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has unique signature requirements that differ significantly from SSC, IBPS, and RRB exams. The most notable difference is that UPSC OTR requires a square signature (equal width and height), whereas most other government exams require rectangular signatures. This makes it essential to prepare a UPSC-specific signature file rather than reusing a signature prepared for another exam.

UPSC OTR (One Time Registration) — Square Signature

The UPSC One Time Registration (OTR) is a mandatory registration for all candidates applying to any UPSC examination. For the OTR profile, you need to upload a square signature image with dimensions between 350 and 500 pixels on each side. For example, 350×350 px, 400×400 px, or 500×500 px are all acceptable. The file should be in JPEG/JPG format with a file size between 20 KB and 100 KB.

Unlike SSC and banking portals that require rectangular signatures (e.g., 140×60 px), the UPSC OTR portal specifically validates for square dimensions. If you upload a rectangular signature, the portal will either crop it automatically or reject it. Use our Signature Resizer to set equal width and height values for UPSC OTR.

UPSC CSE DAF — The Unique 3-Signature Requirement

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Detailed Application Form (DAF) stage is unique among all government exams. After clearing the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary exam, candidates must fill out the DAF, which requires uploading not one, but three separate signatures at different stages of the form. Each signature must meet the specified dimensions — typically a minimum of 350×500 pixels per signature strip, with a file size between 20 KB and 100 KB in JPEG format.

These three signatures are used at different points in the DAF: one for the personal details section, one for the educational qualification section, and one for the declaration. It is recommended to prepare all three signature files beforehand with the correct dimensions. You can use the same handwritten signature image for all three uploads, but you may need to adjust the crop depending on the DAF portal's specific requirements in your notification.

UPSC EPFO Signature Size

UPSC EPFO (Enforcement Officer / Accounts Officer) recruitment follows a different standard closer to banking exams. The signature requirement is 140×60 pixels with a file size of 10-20 KB in JPEG/JPG format. This is the same as IBPS and SSC GD requirements. Unlike UPSC OTR, the EPFO portal requires a rectangular signature.

UPSC NDA, CDS & CAPF Signature Size

For UPSC NDA (National Defence Academy), UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services), and UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces), the signature requirements are specified in the individual exam notifications. Candidates should check the official notification PDF for the exact dimensions. In most cases, the format is JPEG/JPG with a file size between 10 KB and 100 KB. The dimensions may vary between square and rectangular formats depending on the specific exam.

How to Resize Your Signature for UPSC Exams

1. Sign on a plain white paper using black ink. Keep your signature natural and legible.
2. Scan or photograph the signature in good lighting conditions.
3. Visit our free Signature Resizer tool.
4. Upload your signature image.
5. Enter the UPSC-specific dimensions:
   • For OTR: Set equal width and height between 350 and 500 (e.g., 400×400).
   • For DAF: Set width 350 and height 500 (minimum).
   • For EPFO: Set 140×60.
6. Set maximum file size to 100 KB (or 20 KB for EPFO).
7. Select JPG (Standard) format.
8. Click Resize Signature and download the optimized file.
9. Upload to the UPSC portal. For DAF, prepare 3 separate files with clear names.

UPSC Signature Tips for 2026

• Keep separate signature files for OTR (square) and DAF (rectangular) to avoid confusion.
• Name your DAF signature files sequentially — e.g., signature_1.jpg, signature_2.jpg, signature_3.jpg.
• UPSC portals are known for strict validation — even 1 pixel off can cause rejection.
• Complete your OTR registration first before applying to specific exams.
• The UPSC DAF window is typically short (7-10 days) — prepare your signature files in advance.

For more details on signature requirements for other exams, see our SSC Signature Size Guide, IBPS Signature Size Guide, and RRB Signature Size Guide.

What is the UPSC OTR signature size?

UPSC OTR (One Time Registration) requires a square signature image with dimensions between 350 and 500 pixels on each side. The file size should be between 20 KB and 100 KB in JPEG format.

What is the UPSC DAF signature requirement?

UPSC DAF (Detailed Application Form) for Civil Services Mains requires candidates to upload 3 separate signatures at different stages of the form. Each signature strip must be at least 350×500 pixels with a file size between 20 KB and 100 KB.

What is the UPSC EPFO signature size?

UPSC EPFO (Enforcement Officer/Account Officer) requires a signature of 140×60 pixels with a file size between 10 KB and 20 KB in JPG format, similar to banking exam standards.

Does UPSC accept signatures in JPEG or PNG?

UPSC accepts signatures in JPEG/JPG format only. PNG, BMP, and other formats are not accepted on UPSC portals.

Why is UPSC signature different from other exams?

UPSC OTR requires a square signature (equal width and height), unlike rectangular signatures for SSC and IBPS. The DAF stage also uniquely requires 3 separate signature uploads, which is not seen in other exam portals.

How do I resize my signature for UPSC exams?

Upload your signature to our free Signature Resizer. For OTR, set equal width and height between 350-500 px. For DAF, set width 350 and height 500 px. Set max file size to 100 KB, select JPG format, and click Resize.

What is the signature size for UPSC NDA and CDS?

UPSC NDA and CDS exam signature requirements vary by notification. Candidates should check the specific notification PDF for exact dimensions. Most follow the standard JPEG format with moderate file sizes.

Can I use the same signature for UPSC OTR and DAF?

Yes, you can use the same handwritten signature image for both OTR and DAF stages. However, OTR requires a square crop while DAF requires a rectangular crop. You may need to prepare two separate files using our tool.