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DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is significantly stricter than other exams when it comes to document clarity. For CEPTAM 11 (A&A or Tech-A), a blurred signature or incorrect photo background is the fastest way to get disqualified during the scrutiny stage.
This guide provides the official specifications for DRDO photo and signature uploads and a 1-click solution to fix them.
📸 Quick Specs Summary
- Photo: 15KB - 40KB (or 20-50KB depending on specific notification).
- Signature: 10KB - 20KB (Strict).
- Format: JPEG/JPG only.
Official DRDO Photo Requirements
According to the official CEPTAM notification, your photograph must meet these criteria:
- Dimensions: Standard Passport Size (3.5 cm width x 4.5 cm height).
- File Size: Must be between 20 KB and 50 KB (Some older notifications said 15-40KB, but 20-40KB is the safe zone).
- Background: White or light-colored background.
- Recency: Taken within the last 30 days.
- Face: Face should cover 70-80% of the photo area. No masks.
Warning: Do not take a photo of a photo. It creates a "Moiré pattern" (lines on face) which AI scanners reject immediately.
Signature Guidelines (Critical)
The signature causes more rejections than the photo in DRDO exams.
- Paper: White A4 paper only.
- Pen: Blue or Black Ball Point Pen (Gel pen can smudge).
- Size: 10 KB to 20 KB.
- Dimensions: Approximately 150 x 150 pixels or 3.5cm x 1.5cm.
- Style: Signature must be in running handwriting. Capital letters (e.g., "RAHUL") are typically rejected as they don't count as a signature.
How to Resize for DRDO (Free Tool)
You don't need Photoshop. Use our dedicated DRDO Resizer:
- Click & Upload: Go to the DRDO Photo Resizer.
- Auto-Crop: The tool automatically sets the aspect ratio to 3.5x4.5cm.
- Compress: It compresses the file to the exact 20-50KB range required.
- Signature: Switch to the "Signature" tab to get that tricky 10-20KB size.
DRDO CEPTAM Photo & Signature Resizer Interface
Common Queries (FAQ)
Q: Can I use a selfie? A: No. Selfies distort facial features. Use the rear camera or ask a friend to click.
Q: My signature file is 8KB. Is it accepted? A: No, it must be at least 10KB. Our tool increases the size without losing quality if your file is too small.
Q: Is date required on the photo? A: Check the specific CEPTAM advertisement. Usually, DRDO does not mandate a date on the photo, unlike SSC. However, a plain photo is safer unless specified.
Useful Links
DocSet Team
Experts in Document Processing & Government Exam Specifications. We research official notifications from SSC, UPSC, IBPS, and other bodies to provide accurate, up-to-date image resizing and document preparation guidelines.


