GATE 2026 Photo & Signature Requirements – Complete Official Guide
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is India's premier postgraduate engineering entrance examination, jointly conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and the seven original Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, and Guwahati. GATE 2026 is organized by IIT Roorkee. Every year, over 8–10 lakh engineering graduates appear in GATE for admission to M.Tech, M.S., and Ph.D. programmes at IITs, NITs, IISc, and other top institutions, as well as for PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) recruitment.
All GATE registrations are processed through the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal. The photo and signature uploaded during GOAPS registration are printed on the GATE Admit Card, which is used for identity verification at the examination hall. Uploading a non-compliant photo is one of the most common reasons for form correction requests and, in some cases, rejection.
Our GATE 2026 Photo Resizer Tool is pre-configured with the exact GATE specifications. Whether you need to resize your passport photo to 240×320 pixels, compress it within 10 KB to 200 KB, resize your signature to 160×60 pixels, or add your name and date — this tool handles everything instantly, 100% inside your browser with zero server upload.
Official GATE 2026 Photo & Signature Specifications
Requirement
Passport Photo
Signature
Pixel Dimensions
240 × 320 pixels
160 × 60 pixels
File Format
JPEG / JPG only
JPEG / JPG only
Minimum File Size
10 KB
10 KB
Maximum File Size
200 KB
100 KB
Background
Plain White or Light Grey
White paper, black/blue ink
Face Coverage
Minimum 70% of frame
N/A
Photo Age
Recent (within 6 months)
Recent
Spectacles
Allowed (no glare or tint)
N/A
Headgear
Not allowed (religious exceptions)
N/A
Selfies
Strictly prohibited
N/A
Signature Style
N/A
Running cursive only — no block letters
ℹ️ Important: GATE specifications are finalized by the organizing IIT each year and may vary slightly. Always verify the current year's requirements from the official GOAPS portal or GATE information brochure before submitting your application.
Detailed Photo Requirements for GATE 2026
Background: Plain white or very light grey — no patterns, gradients, or textures. No outdoor backgrounds, walls, or curtains. The background must be uniform throughout.
Lighting: Even, shadowless lighting on the face. Natural daylight or studio lighting. No harsh flash that overexposes the face.
Face position: Full frontal face, eyes open and looking straight at the camera. Both ears should ideally be visible. Face must be centered.
Expression: Neutral or very slight natural expression. No wide smiles, no squinting. Mouth should be closed.
Glasses: Clear prescription glasses permitted. No sunglasses. No tinted, coloured, or darkened lenses. No glare or reflections on lenses.
Clothing: Formal or semi-formal. No caps, hats, or headbands. Religious/medical headgear is exempted.
Photo quality: High clarity, sharp focus. Not blurry, pixelated, or digitally filtered. No photo editing apps or filters.
Recency: Taken within the last 6 months. Older photos where appearance has changed are not acceptable.
Detailed Signature Requirements for GATE 2026
Pen: Black or dark blue ballpoint or gel pen. Do not use pencil, marker, or felt pen.
Paper: Plain, unlined, white A4 paper. No ruled paper, no graph paper, no stains.
Style: Running cursive/script signature. Block or printed capital letters are rejected. Your signature must look natural and consistent.
Size: Sign large enough to fill a reasonable portion of the paper, then crop tightly. Do not make the signature too small or too thin.
Consistency: The same signature must be reproduced exactly at the GATE examination center on the attendance sheet. Practice until it is consistent.
Scanning/Photography: Photograph under bright even light on a white surface. Crop tightly around signature. Then use our GATE Signature Resizer to get the correct dimensions and file size.
⚠️ Critical Warning: GATE invigilators verify your signature at the examination hall against the one printed on your admit card. An inconsistent or digitally-generated signature can lead to identity verification failure and you may be barred from taking the exam. Always use your natural handwritten signature.
Step-by-Step: How to Use This GATE Photo Resizer
Select Document Type: In the left sidebar, click "Passport Photo" for your GATE photo or "Signature" for your signature. The tool immediately loads the correct GATE 2026 preset dimensions and file size limits.
Upload Your Image: Click the upload area or drag and drop your JPEG, PNG, or WebP file. Your image never leaves your device — all processing happens locally in your browser.
Instant Preview: The tool immediately shows original vs. processed versions side by side. The output file size is shown below the preview — verify it is within the GATE limit.
Custom Settings (Optional): Enable the Custom Settings toggle if a specific PSU or institution requires different dimensions. Enter your required width, height, and max file size.
Add Name & Date (Optional): Switch to the "Add Name & Date" tab if your institution requires name and date printed at the bottom of the photo.
Download: Click "Download Processed Image" to save the GATE-ready JPEG to your device.
Upload to GOAPS: Log in to the GATE GOAPS portal and upload the downloaded files during your GATE 2026 application registration.
GATE 2026 – Complete Exam Overview for Engineering Graduates
GATE is not merely an entrance exam for M.Tech admissions — it is now a multi-purpose credential that opens doors to postgraduate education at India's top institutions, direct recruitment in major PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings), and even some central government fellowship programmes. Understanding the full scope of GATE helps aspirants make the best use of their GATE score.
Candidates can appear in up to 2 papers (certain combinations only)
GATE Score Validity
3 years from result declaration
Eligibility
B.E./B.Tech/B.S./B.Arch or Master's in science/math/statistics/computer applications (final year also eligible)
Application Fee
₹1800 General/OBC; ₹900 SC/ST/PwD/Female
Exam Centres
200+ cities across India + 6 international centres
GATE 2026 – All 30 Subject Papers
🏗️ Engineering Disciplines
CE – Civil Engineering
CS – Computer Science & Information Technology
EC – Electronics & Communication Engineering
EE – Electrical Engineering
ME – Mechanical Engineering
CH – Chemical Engineering
IN – Instrumentation Engineering
BT – Biotechnology
AE – Aerospace Engineering
AG – Agricultural Engineering
MT – Metallurgical Engineering
MN – Mining Engineering
PE – Petroleum Engineering
PI – Production & Industrial Engineering
TF – Textile Engineering & Fibre Science
NM – Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
🔬 Science & Other Papers
PH – Physics
CY – Chemistry
MA – Mathematics
ST – Statistics
EY – Ecology & Evolution
GG – Geology & Geophysics
XL – Life Sciences (multiple sub-sections)
XH – Humanities & Social Sciences
XE – Engineering Sciences (multiple sub-sections)
AR – Architecture & Planning
ES – Environmental Science & Engineering
GE – Geomatics Engineering
BM – Biomedical Engineering
DA – Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
GATE 2026 Application Process – Photo Upload Step
Enrol on GOAPS: Visit gate2026.iitr.ac.in and click "Enroll". Enter your email ID, mobile number, and create a password. Note your Enrollment ID.
Fill Application Form: Log in with your Enrollment ID. Fill personal details, eligibility details, exam paper choice, and preferred exam city.
Upload Photo & Signature: Upload your JPEG passport photo (240×320px, 10–200KB) and signature (160×60px, 10–100KB). Use our GATE Photo Resizer beforehand to prepare both files correctly.
Upload Category Certificate: SC/ST/PwD candidates must upload their respective certificates for fee concession and reservation benefits.
Pay Application Fee: Pay via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Fee is ₹1800 for General/OBC, ₹900 for SC/ST/PwD/Female.
Submit & Download Confirmation: Submit your application and download the application PDF for your records. Your Enrollment ID becomes your GATE Registration Number.
💡 Pro Tip: GATE provides a short correction window after the application closes where certain fields (including photo and signature) can be corrected — usually with a fee. But uploading correct files the first time saves time, money, and stress. Always resize using our tool before uploading.
PSU Recruitment Through GATE 2026 – Complete List & Details
One of the most significant career benefits of a good GATE score is direct recruitment into India's top Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Many of India's largest and most prestigious government companies — including ONGC, BHEL, NTPC, IOCL, HPCL, GAIL, BPCL, Power Grid, SAIL, and many more — use GATE scores for initial shortlisting of engineering graduates for executive and officer-level positions.
PSU recruitment through GATE is considered extremely attractive because it combines the prestige of a government job with competitive salaries (often ₹50,000–₹1,20,000 per month at entry level), performance bonuses, housing allowance, medical benefits, and job security. The selection process typically involves GATE score shortlisting followed by a Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), or sometimes just the GATE score and interview.
Top PSUs Recruiting Through GATE 2026
PSU Company
Sector
GATE Papers Accepted
Entry Salary (Approx.)
ONGC – Oil & Natural Gas Corporation
Oil & Gas
CE, ME, EE, EC, CH, GG
₹60,000–₹80,000/month
BHEL – Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd
Power Equipment
ME, EE, EC, CE, CS
₹40,000–₹60,000/month
NTPC – National Thermal Power Corp
Power Generation
ME, EE, EC, CE, CS, IN
₹40,000–₹65,000/month
IOCL – Indian Oil Corporation
Oil Refining & Marketing
ME, EE, EC, CE, CH, CS
₹50,000–₹70,000/month
HPCL – Hindustan Petroleum Corp
Oil Refining
ME, EE, EC, CE, CH
₹50,000–₹70,000/month
GAIL – Gas Authority of India
Natural Gas
ME, EE, EC, CE, CH, CS, IN
₹50,000–₹70,000/month
BPCL – Bharat Petroleum Corp
Oil Refining
ME, EE, EC, CE, CH
₹50,000–₹70,000/month
Power Grid Corporation
Power Transmission
EE, EC, CE, CS, ME
₹40,000–₹60,000/month
SAIL – Steel Authority of India
Steel Manufacturing
ME, EE, EC, CE, MT, CS
₹40,000–₹55,000/month
DRDO – Defence R&D Organisation
Defence Research
Multiple (for Junior Research Fellow)
₹31,000+/month (JRF stipend)
NLC India – Neyveli Lignite Corp
Mining & Power
ME, EE, CE, CS, EC
₹40,000–₹55,000/month
BARC – Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Nuclear Research
CE, CS, EC, EE, ME, CH
₹56,100+/month
GATE Score for M.Tech / M.S. / Ph.D. Admissions
Beyond PSU recruitment, a strong GATE score is the primary admission criterion for postgraduate engineering programmes at India's top institutions. Here is what a good GATE score can unlock:
IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology): All 23 IITs use GATE scores for M.Tech and M.S. admissions through COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal). Top IITs like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, and IIT Kanpur require GATE scores above 700–800 for competitive branches.
IISc Bangalore: India's premier research institution admits M.Tech, M.Sc (Research), and Ph.D. students through GATE. IISc is ranked among the top 100 universities globally.
NITs (National Institutes of Technology): All 31 NITs use GATE for M.Tech through CCMT (Centralized Counselling for M.Tech). NITs offer excellent M.Tech programmes in all major engineering disciplines.
MHRD Fellowship (GATE Scholarship): M.Tech students admitted through GATE at IITs, IISc, and NITs receive a monthly scholarship of ₹12,400 from AICTE/MHRD.
Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs): Including IIIT Allahabad, NIT Warangal, BITS, and other top engineering colleges that accept GATE scores.
GATE Preparation Strategy – Subject-wise Tips
📐 For CS / IT Paper (CSE)
Focus on: Data Structures, Algorithms, Operating Systems, DBMS, Computer Networks, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Digital Logic
Previous year GATE CSE papers from last 10 years are the best study material
General Aptitude: Verbal ability and numerical ability — practice 15 minutes daily
Standard books: Cormen (Algorithms), Galvin (OS), Korth (DBMS), Forouzan (Networks)
⚡ For EE Paper (Electrical)
Focus on: Electric Circuits, Signals & Systems, Electromagnetic Theory, Control Systems, Power Electronics, Machines
Engineering Mathematics carries significant weight — practice rigorously
Standard books: Hayt (Circuits), Haykin (Signals), Chapman (Machines)
🔧 For ME Paper (Mechanical)
Focus on: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Manufacturing Processes, Theory of Machines, Strength of Materials
Production Engineering and Industrial Engineering are high-scoring topics
Standard books: Cengel (Thermo/Heat Transfer), Shigley (Machine Design), White (Fluid Mechanics)
Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude are common to all papers — don't ignore them
Standard books: IS Codes for Structural Design, Arora (Soil Mechanics), Modi & Seth (Fluid Mechanics)
💡 Study Tip: GATE toppers consistently recommend solving at least 10 years of previous year question papers as the single most effective preparation strategy. Each PYQ solved improves pattern recognition, speed, and confidence. Start PYQ practice at least 3 months before the exam.
Common GATE 2026 Photo & Signature Mistakes – And How to Fix Them
Every GATE application cycle, the GOAPS helpdesk receives thousands of correction requests related to photo and signature upload errors. Understanding these mistakes before you upload can save you from delays and potential application complications.
Top 8 GATE Photo Upload Mistakes
❌ Technical File Errors
File above 200KB: Smartphone photos are 2–8MB. GOAPS portal rejects files above 200KB. Fix: Use our GATE Photo Resizer — it auto-compresses.
Wrong format (PNG/HEIC/WebP): Only JPEG accepted. iPhone HEIC files are especially common. Fix: Our tool always outputs JPEG regardless of input.
Wrong dimensions: 400×500 or 300×400 pixel photos look stretched when resized by the portal. Fix: Our tool resizes to exactly 240×320px.
File too small (<10KB): Over-compressed photos may fall below minimum. Fix: Our tool stays within 10KB–200KB range.
❌ Photo Quality Errors
Colored background: Most common error — photo taken in front of a wall or outdoors. Fix: Retake against plain white wall.
Selfie used: Selfies have distorted perspective and informal framing. Fix: Ask someone else to take the photo at eye level.
Blurry or pixelated: Low-resolution source photo. Fix: Use original high-res photo from camera, not a screenshot or WhatsApp-compressed copy.
Sunglasses worn: Any tinted or dark glasses are rejected. Fix: Remove glasses or switch to clear frames for the photo.
Signature Mistakes Specific to GATE
Signature in capital letters: "RAHUL KUMAR" written in capitals is not a signature — it is a printed name. GATE requires a flowing cursive signature. Examiners at the test centre will flag this during the attendance sheet signing.
Pencil signature: Pencil fades and smudges. Only black or blue ink pen signatures are accepted by GATE.
Signature too small: A tiny signature becomes unrecognizable when scanned at 160×60px. Sign with reasonable size on A4 paper, then crop.
Different signature during exam: Many engineering students have casual daily signatures but use formal signatures for their application. On the exam day, you must reproduce exactly the same signature as on the admit card — practice it until it is consistent.
GATE 2026 requires a passport photo of 240 × 320 pixels, file size between 10 KB and 200 KB, in JPEG format. The background must be plain white or light grey. Our tool is pre-set with these exact GATE specifications — just upload your photo and download the ready file.
What is the signature size for GATE 2026?
The GATE 2026 signature image must be 160 × 60 pixels, file size between 10 KB and 100 KB, in JPEG format. Sign in black or blue ink on plain white paper in running cursive handwriting — not block capital letters.
Which IIT is organizing GATE 2026?
GATE 2026 is organized by IIT Roorkee. Applications are submitted through the GOAPS portal at gate2026.iitr.ac.in. Each year a different IIT takes responsibility for organizing GATE. IISc Bangalore and all 7 original IITs rotate this responsibility.
Can I use the same photo for GATE and PSU applications?
Not always, because PSUs may have different photo specifications in their own application portals. Most PSUs that shortlist through GATE scores have their own separate application forms. Our tool has custom settings — enable it and enter the PSU's required dimensions and file size. The base GATE photo (240×320px, 200KB) is a good starting point.
What is GOAPS and how do I upload my photo there?
GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) is the official GATE application portal hosted by the organizing IIT. For GATE 2026, the GOAPS portal is at gate2026.iitr.ac.in. After enrollment, log in and navigate to the "Upload Documents" section to upload your photo (JPEG, 240×320px, max 200KB) and signature (JPEG, 160×60px, max 100KB).
My GATE photo upload shows "Invalid file" error. What to do?
Common causes: (1) File above 200KB — use our tool to compress. (2) Wrong format — our tool outputs JPEG. (3) Dimensions not matching — our tool resizes to exactly 240×320px. (4) File name has spaces or special characters — rename to "gate_photo.jpg". (5) Browser cache issue — try clearing cache or use a different browser.
Can I appear in GATE 2026 with my iPhone HEIC photo?
No. GOAPS only accepts JPEG format. iPhones save photos as HEIC by default. First use our HEIC to JPG Converter to convert your iPhone photo to JPEG, then use our GATE Photo Resizer to resize to 240×320px and compress to within 200KB. Alternatively, change iPhone camera settings: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible.
How many papers can I appear for in GATE 2026?
GATE 2026 allows candidates to appear in up to 2 papers simultaneously, but only in specific allowed combinations as defined by the organizing IIT. Not all paper combinations are permitted. Check the official GATE 2026 information brochure at gate2026.iitr.ac.in for the allowed two-paper combinations.
Is my photo safe on this tool? Does it get uploaded to any server?
Your photo is 100% safe. All image processing on ExamPhotoResize.in happens entirely inside your browser using the JavaScript Canvas API. No file is ever sent to any server, no data is stored, no account is required. Closing the browser tab immediately removes all traces of your photo. This tool is fully private and secure.
Does this tool work on mobile for GATE application?
Yes, fully mobile-optimized. Works perfectly on Chrome for Android and Safari for iPhone. You can upload a photo from your phone's gallery, resize and compress it in seconds, and download the GATE-ready JPEG — all from your smartphone, without installing any app.