Updated September 26, 2026 with the numbers from the official 2026 notice. See also the full guide and the document kit.

What changed for SSC CGL 2026

Older SSC forms asked for a scanned photo of 20–50 KB. The SSC CGL 2026 notice (published 21 May 2026) replaces that with a live photo captured inside the application form through your webcam or phone camera. You don't upload a photo file, so there is nothing to compress or resize for the photo.

The one image you still upload is your signature.

Official SSC CGL 2026 signature specification

  • Format: JPEG / JPG
  • File size: 10 KB to 20 KB
  • Dimensions: about 6.0 cm wide × 2.0 cm tall (para 9.6 of the notice). The "How to apply" annexure of the same notice says about 4.0 cm × 2.0 cm, so a signature 4–6 cm wide and 2 cm tall matches both.
  • Rejected: blurred or miniature signatures.

Tips for the live photo

The notice gives these instructions for capturing the live photo:

  • Find a place with good light and a plain background.
  • Keep the camera at eye level and look straight at it.
  • Keep your whole face inside the area marked on screen — not too close, not too far.
  • Don't wear a cap, mask or glasses.
  • Don't point the camera at an existing printed photo. Applications that do this are rejected.

If your computer has no webcam, the form shows a QR code so you can capture the photo on your phone.

How to prepare your signature

  1. Sign on plain white paper with a black or dark blue pen.
  2. Scan it, or take a clear, well-lit phone photo from directly above.
  3. Open the SSC CGL document kit and add the image to the signature slot.
  4. The kit crops it to a 6 × 2 cm shape and brings the file inside 10–20 KB. The result shows a ✓ when it meets the limit.
  5. Download the JPEG and upload it on the SSC form.

Why signatures get rejected

  • Under 10 KB: very small files often look blurred. The kit raises image quality first to reach the minimum.
  • Over 20 KB: the form refuses the upload.
  • Wrong file type: a PNG renamed to .jpg is still a PNG. Export a real JPEG.
  • Too faint: a light pencil or pale ink signature disappears after compression.

SSC CHSL and other SSC exams: they publish their own notices. The rules are often similar, but check the notice for your exam before uploading.

Source: SSC CGL 2026 notice (ssc.gov.in). Your file is processed on your device and never uploaded to CompressKaro.