The Common Admission Test (CAT) is more than an exam'its the gateway to the IIMs and India's top business schools. While you're mastering Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, there's a silent hurdle that causes last-minute panic: the CAT application portal.
CAT documentation rules are strict. If your photo frame is wrong, your face coverage is low, or your signature is unclear, the application can be marked defective. As a candidate, your time is valuable'SarkariPixel helps you generate CAT-standard uploads in minutes with a clarity-first workflow.
Quick links (CAT workflow)
Reminder: we don't compress PDFs directly. For oversized PDFs, use PDF → Image → compress images → Images → PDF.
1) CAT 2026: official document specifications
CAT typically expects high-resolution uploads compressed into a strict KB range. If you're even slightly over the limit, upload buttons can fail or the portal may reject the file.
Technical specification table (CAT 2026)
| Document Type | Dimensions (mm / px) | File Size (KB) | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Photo | 35 mm × 45 mm (some portals show ~150×200 px) | 30 KB – 80 KB | White background, clear face |
| Signature | 80 mm × 35 mm (approx) | 30 KB – 80 KB | Black/dark ink only |
| Category Certificate | N/A | < 300 KB | PDF format only |
| PwD Certificate (PwD candidates only) | N/A | < 300 KB | PDF format only |
Always follow the exact values shown in your CAT portal as final. Different years and different forms can vary slightly.
2) The 80% face rule: the biggest trap in CAT
Many students upload a standard passport photo with shoulders and chest visible. CAT-style photo checks often expect your face (top of head to chin) to occupy a large portion of the frame.
- The rule: aim for ~80% face coverage while keeping the 35×45 mm frame.
- The problem: manual cropping in Paint often breaks the aspect ratio and causes distortion.
The SarkariPixel solution: open Launch Toolkit and select CAT (IIM). It loads the CAT photo frame and safe KB targets, so you can focus on face placement instead of guesswork.
3) Preparing the Gold Standard CAT signature
IIM workflows can compare your uploaded signature against later verification stages. The goal is simple: legible strokes, clean background, and correct dimensions.
- Ink: use a black gel pen for thicker, clearer strokes.
- Enhance: if your room lighting makes the paper gray/yellow, use Enhance Lab to make the background white and ink high-contrast.
- Resize: use Toolkit's CAT signature slot (80×35 mm) or Resize Lab with the exact dimensions.
- Compress: land in a safe sweet spot like 50–70 KB under the 80KB ceiling.
4) Certificates (JPG to PDF) under 300 KB • the portal-safe method
CAT 2026 requires certificates (NC-OBC, SC, ST, EWS) in PDF format under 300 KB. If you are a PwD (specially-abled) candidate, you may also need a PwD certificate in PDF under the same limit. Avoid aggressive PDF compressors that can destroy stamps, signatures, and authority seals.
Important technical note: SarkariPixel does not compress PDFs directly. For clarity-safe size reduction, convert PDF pages to images, compress the images, then rebuild the PDF.
- If you already have a large PDF: use PDF → Image.
- Use Enhance Lab if text looks faded.
- Use Compression Lab to target ~2–50 KB per page (or whatever your portal needs).
- Use Images → PDF to rebuild a sharp, portal-safe PDF.
If you need to keep documents organized, you can also use the app's Merge PDFs tool (in Convert) when combining allowed documents.
5) Why privacy matters for MBA aspirants
As a future manager, you already understand data risk. Uploading Aadhaar, marksheets, and certificates to cloud converters creates an unnecessary exposure surface.
- 100% client-side: no uploads to a server.
- Local processing: runs in your browser memory (RAM).
- Zero access: we cannot see or store your documents.
6) Common rejection reasons in CAT forms
- Spectacle glare: reflections can hide eyes; safer to upload without glasses.
- Shadowy background: shadows reduce face detection reliability'clean it in Enhance Lab.
- Signature in CAPS: block letters are not a signature; use natural handwriting.
- Expired certificate: ensure NC-OBC/EWS certificates are valid for the required period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use a selfie for the CAT application?
A: Avoid selfies. Wide-angle front cameras can distort facial proportions. Use a proper passport-style photo with a clean white background.
Q: My signature is 25KB. Will the CAT portal accept it?
A: If the portal minimum is 30KB, it may reject files below that limit. Increase quality slightly and aim for ~40–70 KB while keeping ink edges sharp.
Q: Can I merge my documents into one PDF for CAT?
A: Only merge if the portal allows it. If you need to combine allowed PDFs, use the Merge PDFs tool inside Convert to stay organized.
Final word from the founder
To all my fellow CAT warriors: you're preparing for the most competitive business schools in India. Your application should reflect that professionalism. Don't let file size errors steal your focus from mocks and percentile strategy.
Spend 5 minutes on SarkariPixel.in, prepare your CAT digital kit, and put 100% of your energy into your preparation.
Disclaimer: This guide is educational. Always follow the latest CAT notification/portal upload instructions as final.