GATE Exam Update: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati will start the GATE 2026 registration process online shortly, and before that, candidates should be ready with all the required documents, scanned images of their photograph and signature
As a part of the GATE form-filling process, eligible candidates are required to upload their photograph and signature in the specific size and format set by the authority.
If any of the candidates break the GATE photo and signature format or the guidelines for uploading the document, this can lead to application rejection or disqualification.
GATE Photo Format and Signature Format
Below, we have given the GATE document upload format and instructions that you have to follow while filling out the form:
GATE 2026 Photograph Format
- Candidates are required to upload a good-quality, color passport-sized photograph of passport size. The size should be (3.5 cm width × 4.5 cm height). The face of the candidate covers 60-70% of the photograph.
- The image background must be plain white only, and there must be no objects, people, or design in the background.
- The photograph must show the frontal face view looking directly into the camera and must show the forehead, eyes, nose, and chin. Face in the photograph must not be covered with objects such as caps, hats, sunglasses, colored glasses, etc. Normal spectacles for vision correction are allowed. If the candidate normally wears spectacles, a photograph with glare on the glasses is not acceptable. If the glare cannot be avoided, the spectacles must be removed.
- The format of the photograph can be in JPEG/JPG format with a minimum aspect ratio of 0.66 and a maximum aspect ratio of 0.89. After cropping the photograph, the face must cover 60-70% of the image.
- The maximum pixel resolution is 530 x 690 pixels, and the minimum resolution is 200 x 260 pixels. The file size must be a minimum of 5 kB and a maximum of 1 MB.
- The face must be clearly visible and not covered by any cloth or shadow.
- Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
Instructions for clicking/editing the photo image are given below-
- Face should cover A2, A3, B2, B3, C2 and C3 grids.
- The background should be plain and white colored.
- Eyes and face should be towards the camera.
Check out the samples of acceptable and unacceptable photographs shown below:
Samples of acceptable Photographs
Samples of Not Acceptable Photographs
GATE 2026 Signature Format
- Upload an image of your signature in JPEG/JPG format of size with an aspect ratio (height: width) of 1 : R, where the value of R can be between 2.75 and 3.75. After cropping to the mentioned size, the area of the signature must cover 70-80% of the image.
- You can only use black or dark blue ink only for the signature.
- The file size must be a minimum of 3 kB and a maximum of 1 MB.
- The maximum pixel resolution is 580 × 180 pixels, and the minimum resolution is 250 × 80 pixels.
- No other person, even the parents, can sign the signature; it must be signed only by the applicant.
- If the signature of the candidate fails to match at the time of examination, then the applicant could be disqualified.
Have a look below at the samples of acceptable and unacceptable signatures:
Samples of acceptable Signatures
Samples of Not Acceptable Signatures
The GATE 2026 application window will open on 25th August 2025, and candidates will be able to submit the online application form till 25th September 2025 and the closing date of the extended online registration/application process (With Late Fee) is Monday, October 06, 2025.
We advise you all not to rush to fill out the application form, as the window is open for more than 1 month. First, know about how to fill the GATE 2026 application form, eligibility, fee structure, and other important details, then apply.
If you still have any doubts regarding the GATE 2026 Photo and Signature Format or Examination, feel free to ask below in the comment section.