SSC CHSL 2026: Official Photo & Signature Specifications • The Ultimate 3.5 x 4.5 cm Guide

SSC CHSL 2026: Official Photo & Signature Specifications • The Ultimate 3.5 x 4.5 cm Guide

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam is the primary gateway for 12th-pass candidates to enter prestigious government ministries as LDC, JSA, and DEO. With vacancies numbering in the thousands and applicants in the millions, the competition is razor-sharp. However, the first hurdle isn't the Tier-1 exam'its the SSC New Portal registration.

In the 2026 recruitment cycle, the SSC has moved to its new domain (ssc.gov.in), introducing an AI-based Live Photo Capture system. This has created a massive wave of confusion: "Do I still need to resize my photo?" and "How do I ensure my scanned signature isn't rejected?"

As a fellow Bank Exam aspirant, I know that technical glitches are the last thing you want when you are revising General Studies or English. At SarkariPixel.in, we have decoded the new portal rules. In this 1,200-word guide, we break down the "Gold Standard" specifications for SSC CHSL 2026 • and show the fastest workflow using Launch Toolkit, Image Enhance Lab, Image Resize Tool, and Image Compression Lab.

1. The New SSC Portal: Live Photo vs. Scanned Documents

For the CHSL 2026 application, the process is now divided into two distinct technical parts:

• The Photograph: Most often captured Live via the SSC mobile app or a webcam.
• The Signature: Must be Scanned, Resized, and Uploaded manually.
• The Certificate: (Caste/EWS/PWD) Must be converted to PDF and compressed.

Rules for the "Live Photo" Capture

• Background: You must stand against a plain, white background. If your wall has patterns, the AI will reject the capture.
• Camera Level: The camera must be at eye level. Looking up or down causes facial distortion.
• Lighting: Ensure there are no shadows on your face. Natural daylight is the "Gold Standard" for a successful capture.
• No Spectacles: Even if you wear them for distance, remove your glasses for the capture to avoid glare rejections.

2. Technical Specifications Table (2026 Standards)

If the notification allows a scanned upload, or for your signature preparation, use this table as your master checklist. If you do not want to do any pixel math, use the SSC preset in Launch Toolkit and it will keep ratios locked automatically.

3. Preparing the Signature: The #1 Rejection Reason

While the photo is now live, the Signature is still a manual upload, and it remains the top reason for SSC CHSL rejections.

The "Gold Standard" Signature Workflow:

• Ink: Use a Black Gel Pen. SSC's scanning software is optimized for black ink; blue ink often appears faint and "illegible."
• Paper: Use a clean, unruled white sheet.
• Enhance: Mobile photos of signatures often have a gray "shadowy" background. Use our Image Enhance Tool. It will strip the gray background and make your black signature pop.
• Resize: Go to the Image Resize Tool. Set dimensions to 4.0 x 2.0 cm and the target KB to 15 KB.

If your signature goes below 10 KB after resizing, do not upload it. Use Image Compression Lab in reverse by increasing quality until it sits safely at 12–15 KB.

4. Why Use the SarkariPixel Launch Toolkit (SSC Preset)?

We built the SarkariPixel Launch Toolkit to handle the math for you. You don't need to calculate pixel-to-cm conversions.

Why the SSC Preset is a "Banger":

• Aspect Ratio Lock: It automatically locks the crop tool to the 3.5 : 4.5 ratio for photos and 4.0 : 2.0 ratio for signatures.
• KB Accuracy: Our engine ensures that when you ask for "18KB," you get 18KB. If your file is 20.1KB, the SSC portal will reject it. Our tool keeps you safely in the "Gold Standard" zone.
• Privacy-First: As a student, you shouldn't have to upload your signature to a server. Our toolkit works 100% Client-Side'your signature never leaves your phone.

5. Converting Certificates: JPG to PDF for SSC

SSC CHSL often requires Category Certificates (OBC/SC/ST/EWS) or PWD certificates in PDF format under 300 KB.

The Challenge: A photo of your certificate is usually 3MB to 5MB.

The Fix: Use our Image to PDF Tool.

1. Upload the high-res photo.
2. Our tool converts it to PDF.
3. It automatically compresses it to stay under the 300 KB limit while keeping the text (name, certificate number) sharp and readable.

If your PDF still crosses the limit, run the final PDF through Image Compression Lab again and keep the target around 2–50 KB to stay safe.

6. Common SSC CHSL Form Errors to Avoid

• Signature in ALL CAPS: If your name is 'Sumit', sign it as a signature. If you write 'SUMIT', your application will be rejected.
• Old Scanned Photos: If you are uploading a scanned photo, ensure it is not more than 3 months old. SSC compares your uploaded photo with your face during the Tier-1 exam's biometric entry.
• Blurred "Date on Photo": While the date is not always mandatory for 2026, if you choose to add it, it must be in a clear, legible font. Use our Image Resize tool to add text overlays professionally.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Word from the Founder

To all my fellow SSC warriors: The CHSL exam is a test of your speed and accuracy. That same speed and accuracy should be applied to your application form. Don't let a "Dimension Error" be the reason you miss out on a government career.

Take 5 minutes to prepare your documents using the SarkariPixel Launch Toolkit. Get it right the first time, get your registration number, and then put your 100% focus into Mastering English and Quant.

Your future in the Central Government starts with a perfect application!