India's Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) requires the same photo as an Indian passport — 35×35mm print, white background, 413×413 pixels for digital submission. If you've applied for an Indian passport recently, you already have the right photo spec. You apply through the same Passport Seva portal.
The PCC is issued by the Regional Passport Office and processed through Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs). It's not a document you apply for independently — the process runs through the passport infrastructure.
India PCC Photo Specifications (35×35mm)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35×35mm |
| Digital size | 413×413 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background | White (255, 255, 255) |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral, no smile |
| File format | JPEG |
These match the Indian passport photo specs exactly. There is no separate PCC photo standard.
For the Passport Seva online application, you'll upload a digital photo. Use 413×413px JPEG at 300 DPI. The portal also accepts higher-resolution images as long as the face framing meets requirements. Check your photo using the passportsize-photo.online checker before you upload.
Get a compliant passport photo online
PCC Photo vs Indian Passport Photo
They're the same. Both are processed through the Passport Seva portal, and the photo standards are identical across all documents the portal handles — passport, PCC, Emergency Certificate.
This makes the PCC straightforward: if you have compliant passport photos from a recent session, use them. No re-shoot needed.
Who Needs an Indian Police Clearance Certificate?
A Police Clearance Certificate confirms that the applicant has no criminal record in India as of the date of issue. The main scenarios where it's required:
Immigration abroad. Most countries that offer long-term visas or permanent residency require a PCC from each country where you've lived for more than six months. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, and the UAE are common examples.
Employment abroad. Many Middle Eastern countries require a PCC as part of the work visa documentation for blue-collar and white-collar workers alike.
Foreign citizenship applications. Naturalization processes typically require PCCs from countries of prior residency.
Emigration clearance. The Emigration Check Required (ECR) process for certain categories of Indian workers going abroad may require a PCC.
The PCC is not used domestically. It's an international-facing document.
How to Apply for a PCC Through Passport Seva
- Create or log in to your Passport Seva account at passportindia.gov.in
- Select "Police Clearance Certificate" from the application menu
- Fill the online application — personal details, current address, purpose of PCC
- Upload your photo — 413×413px JPEG, white background
- Pay the fee — ₹500 via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI
- Book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra
- Attend the PSK with original documents on the appointment date
- Police verification is conducted at your address by the local police station
- Certificate issued and dispatched by post once verification clears
You must hold a valid Indian passport to apply for a PCC. The portal verifies your passport details during the application.
Documents Required at PSK Appointment
Carry originals and self-attested photocopies of:
- Current Indian passport (original)
- Aadhaar card or address proof for current address
- Proof of purpose — job offer letter, visa application receipt, or foreign country's requirement notice
- Any past passports if applicable (for residence history)
The photo is uploaded digitally during the online application. You don't need to bring printed photos to the appointment.
PCC Processing Time, Fees, and Police Verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹500 |
| Processing time | 7-30 days (after police verification) |
| Police verification | Conducted at address on record |
| Validity | 6-12 months (varies by destination country) |
Processing time depends heavily on police verification speed. Metro areas tend to complete verification in 7-10 days. Tier 2 and 3 cities can take up to 30 days.
The PCC has a limited validity window — most countries accept certificates issued within 6 months of the visa application date. Don't apply too early.
India PCC Validity and Expiry by Destination Country
Most countries that accept Indian PCCs specify an expiry date — typically 6 months from the date of issue. Some countries (Australia, for instance) accept PCCs up to 12 months old. Check the specific requirement of the country you're applying to before applying for the PCC.
If your PCC expires before your immigration process concludes, you'll need to apply again. The ₹500 fee and the full process applies each time.
Common PCC Photo and Application Issues
Police verification delay. The most common reason for a slow PCC is delayed field verification by the local police station. If your application status shows "under verification" for more than 10 days, you can escalate through the Passport Seva portal's grievance section.
Address mismatch. The PCC is linked to your passport address. If your current residential address differs significantly from your passport address and you haven't updated your passport, verification may be sent to the old address. Update your passport address before applying.
Multiple countries of residence. A single Indian PCC only covers your record in India. If you've lived in other countries for extended periods, you'll need separate clearance certificates from each country.
For your photo, the standard Indian passport specs cover you completely. If you need to verify your photo meets the exact dimensions and background requirements before uploading, use the passportsize-photo.online checker. A compliant photo at the start avoids delays at the PSK appointment.
Expression and Appearance Rules for PCC Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all types banned without exception, including clear prescription lenses
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — permitted for religious reasons (turban, hijab, patka); full face from chin to forehead must remain visible
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
Indian Document Photo Comparison
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Clearance Certificate | 35×35mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Indian Passport | 35×35mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| PAN Card | 25×35mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Driving Licence | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
The PCC and passport share the same 35×35mm format. PAN card and driving licence use different sizes — do not mix them across applications.
Common PCC Photo Rejection Reasons on Passport Seva
- Glasses present — even clear prescription lenses are rejected by the Passport Seva system
- Non-white background — off-white, light blue, or grey backgrounds fail
- Wrong dimensions — submitting 35×45mm driving licence photos instead of 35×35mm
- File too large — the portal has upload limits; compress JPEG before uploading
- Photo does not match passport — the PCC photo should closely match your current passport photo
Quick Checklist for India PCC Photo Submission
- Size: 35×35mm print (413×413px digital)
- Background: plain white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Passport Seva appointment booked
- Valid passport ready
- Application fee paid online
