The NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2025 is a national-level examination conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor positions in Indian universities and colleges.
For the NTA CSIR UGC NET application, candidates must upload a recent passport-style photo and a clear signature according to official specifications. The photo should have a plain light-colored background, cover 50–60% of the face, measure 3.5cm x 4.5cm, and be free of glare or shadows. The signature must be on white paper, in black or blue ink, 4cm x 2cm, and clearly legible. Ensuring these requirements reduces the chances of application rejection.
| Background | Plain light-colored (preferably white) |
| Max Size K B | 100 |
| Min Size K B | 20 |
| Face Cover | Approx. 50–60% of photo area (head & shoulders) |
| Specs | JPEG, recent (preferably <6 months), passport-style, full-face frontal, no cap/headgear (except religious), no tinted glasses or glare, no shadows |
| Blur | Must be clear (no blur/pixelation) |
| Face Alignment | Centered, eyes open, neutral expression, both ears visible |
| Width Cm | 3.5 |
| Height Cm | 4.5 |
| Background | Plain white paper |
| Max Size K B | 50 |
| Min Size K B | 10 |
| Specs | JPEG, black or blue ink pen, signature must be clear and legible |
| Blur | Must be legible (no smudge, no blur) |
| Width Cm | 4 |
| Height Cm | 2 |
These are the most frequent reasons exam photo & signature uploads get rejected. Each card explains the mistake, why it matters, and how to fix it — plus a quick visual cue.
Many exam authorities require a recently taken photo (UPSC often asks for within 10 days). Using an old photo can lead to rejection.
Why it matters: Face features (hair, glasses, facial hair) can change. Officials need a recent likeness to verify identity. Fix: take a fresh, passport-style photo on the day you apply or within the timeframe specified by the exam authority.
A selfie (tilted head, arm shadow, phone visible) is not accepted. Exams require a neutral, straight-on passport photo.
Why it matters: Selfies distort proportions and may hide facial landmarks. Fix: use a tripod or ask someone to click, keep camera at eye level, look straight at the lens with a neutral expression.
Busy or dark backgrounds distract and can cause rejection. Most exams ask for plain white or light backgrounds.
Why it matters: Facial contrast must be clear against the background for automated and human verification. Fix: stand 1-2 feet from the wall, use a plain light-colored sheet, and avoid shadows.
Shadows on the face or uneven lighting can hide features. Use soft, even lighting from the front.
Why it matters: Verification needs clear visibility of eyes, nose, and mouth. Fix: use natural daylight facing a window, or two soft lights at 45-degree angles to remove shadows.
Photos where the top of the head or shoulders are cut off will be rejected. Maintain correct head-to-ratio.
Why it matters: Exams specify the head size within the frame (e.g., 70-80% height). Fix: leave breathing room above the head and include upper shoulders. Use the site crop tool to preview the correct ratio.
Submitting PNG or TIFF where JPEG is required, or wrong DPI/resolution can cause upload errors.
Why it matters: Exam portals often accept only specific formats (JPEG) and have pixel/dpi constraints. Fix: use the sites converter/compressor to create the correct format and resolution before uploading.
Compressing too aggressively reduces quality; images become pixelated and unreadable.
Why it matters: Low-quality images fail both automated checks and human inspection. Fix: compress only to the exam max KB while keeping clarity; use the site crop tool to preview and compare before submitting.
Unless medically necessary and documented, headgear or dark glasses are not acceptable.
Why it matters: The face must be fully visible for ID checks. Fix: remove caps, hats, and sunglasses; if you have a religious head covering, follow the specific rules (face must be visible). If glasses are necessary, use clear, non-tinted frames and avoid reflections.
Many portals expect a handwritten signature in black or blue ink. Typed or uppercase signatures might be rejected.
Why it matters: Signature is a legal identifier; style and pen color matter. Fix: sign on white paper with a blue/black pen, scan or photograph clearly, and crop so the signature is centered and readable.
Even if the visible crop looks fine, incorrect pixel dimensions or aspect ratio can fail automated checks.
Why it matters: Portals validate exact pixel sizes (e.g., 354x472 px) and aspect ratio. Fix: use the site tool to pre-set templates or crop tool that auto-sets the right px/dpi for each exam.
NTA CSIR UGC NET is an exam to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor positions in Indian universities and colleges.
Candidates must have a Master's degree in Science/Engineering/Technology or equivalent with the required minimum marks. Age limits vary depending on JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility.
The exam is computer-based and tests candidates’ knowledge in subjects like Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Earth Sciences. Shortlisted candidates are declared NET-qualified or JRF-qualified.
The photo must be passport-style, recent (less than 6 months), JPEG format, 3.5cm x 4.5cm, plain light-colored background, covering 50–60% of the face, clear and centered with eyes open and both ears visible.
The signature must be on plain white paper using black or blue ink, clear and legible, JPEG format, 4cm x 2cm.