The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Combined Medical Services (CMS) examination is one of the most prestigious exams for medical graduates in India. Filling out the Detailed Application Form (DAF) on the UPSC ORA (Online Recruitment Application) portal can be incredibly stressful, primarily because of the strict document formatting rules.

In this guide, we will break down exactly how to format your photograph, signature, and essential medical degree documents to ensure your application is accepted on the very first try.

1. UPSC ORA Portal: Photograph & Signature Rules

Unlike SSC exams which require rectangular photos, UPSC strictly requires square dimensions for both the photo and the signature.

Photograph Rules:

• Dimensions: Minimum 350 x 350 pixels. Maximum 1000 x 1000 pixels. (The image must be a perfect square).
• File Size: Less than 300 KB and greater than 20 KB.
• Background: The photo must have a plain white background. Ensure your face occupies at least 75% of the total space.
• Format: Only .JPG/.JPEG files are permitted.

Signature Rules:

• Dimensions: Just like the photo, the signature must also be square: Minimum 350 x 350 pixels.
• File Size: Between 20 KB and 300 KB.
• Quality: Must be signed in dark black ink on a white sheet. Shadows and blurriness will cause rejection.

2. Uploading Medical Degrees and Caste Certificates

Part II of the UPSC CMS registration requires you to upload your Photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN) and, later during the DAF stage, your MBBS degree/provisional certificate and caste certificate.

• Format Requirement: All identity and educational documents must be in PDF format.
• Size Limits: The PDF must be between 20 KB and 300 KB.
• Multi-Page Documents: If your certificate has multiple pages, they must be combined into a single PDF file that stays under the 300 KB limit.

3. Solving the PDF Compression Problem

One of the biggest challenges medical students face is that scanned copies of their MBBS degrees often exceed 2MB. To fix this safely without uploading your sensitive medical documents to sketchy third-party servers, use client-side tools.

If your ID has a front and back (like an Aadhaar card), you should first use an ID Card Joiner to stitch them together into one image. Afterward, you can easily convert that combined image into a compliant, compressed PDF right in your browser.