CAT Photo, Signature and Certificate Upload Guide
CAT registration on iimcat.ac.in needs a 1200x1200px passport photograph under 80KB and a clear signature scan under 80KB. Reserved-category candidates also upload NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST or PwD certificate PDFs. This page is built for that upload stage — prepare your CAT photo size, signature and certificate files correctly before you submit the IIM CAT application form.
CAT Registration Upload Requirements - Photo, Signature and Certificate PDFs
| Upload Type | Requirement | Format | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport photograph | 1200 x 1200 px, colour, front-facing, white background, under 6 months old | JPG / JPEG | Max 80 KB |
| Signature | Black ink on white paper, within 80mm x 35mm, no capital letters | JPG / JPEG | Max 80 KB |
| NC-OBC certificate | Latest valid financial-year format, if applicable | Clear and readable | |
| EWS / SC / ST certificate | Reserved-category certificate, if applicable | Clear and readable | |
| PwD / DA certificate | Disability certificate, if applicable | Clear and readable |
Verified June 2026: The CAT 2025 registration guidelines (iimcat.ac.in) specify a 1200x1200px colour photograph in JPG/JPEG up to 80KB and a signature scan in JPG/JPEG up to 80KB on a white background. Category and PwD certificates upload as PDF. CAT is conducted by the IIMs and instructions can change each cycle — always confirm the current CAT information bulletin before uploading.
Free Tools for CAT Application Photo, Signature and Certificates
Photo Resize
Use the CAT / IIM preset to make a 1200x1200px JPG photo under 80KB.
Open toolSignature Crop
Crop your handwritten CAT signature and export JPG/JPEG under 80KB.
Open toolImage Compress
Bring the CAT photo and signature JPGs under the 80KB limit without uploading.
Open toolImage to PDF
Convert NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST or PwD certificate scans into clean PDFs.
Open toolPDF Merge
Combine multi-page certificates into a single readable PDF for upload.
Open toolPDF Compress
Reduce category and PwD certificate PDF size while keeping them readable.
Open toolHow to Prepare CAT Upload Files in 5 Steps
Take a correct passport photograph
Use a recent colour photograph against a white or light background with a frontal face view and open eyes. Avoid selfies, caps, dark glasses, black-and-white prints and blurred images. The photo should be no older than 6 months.
Resize to 1200x1200px and compress under 80KB
Open Photo Resize and pick the CAT / IIM preset to create a 1200x1200px JPG. If the file is still above 80KB, run it through Image Compress until it is under the limit while staying clear.
Prepare the signature
Sign inside a box on white paper using black ink — do not use capital letters. Crop only the signature with Signature Crop and export a JPG/JPEG under 80KB. Keep it sharp and legible.
Make category certificate PDFs readable
Reserved-category candidates upload NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST or PwD certificates as PDF. Use Image to PDF, PDF Merge and PDF Compress so the certificate number, name and issuing authority stay readable. Use the latest valid NC-OBC format.
Preview every upload before payment
After uploading, preview the photograph, signature and certificate PDFs on iimcat.ac.in. Save your CAT user ID, password, confirmation page and uploaded files — they are needed later for the admit card, score card and IIM shortlist and interview stages.
Common CAT Upload Rejection Reasons
Photo or signature over 80KB
Large phone images fail the upload. Compress to under 80KB while keeping the face and signature clear.
Selfie or wrong background
CAT expects a passport-style colour photo with a white or light background and a frontal face — not a selfie or filtered image.
Signature in capital letters
A signature written in block capitals or typed text is not accepted — use your normal handwritten signature in black ink.
Old or unreadable NC-OBC certificate
An outdated NC-OBC format or an over-compressed certificate PDF where details are not legible can cause problems at verification.
About CAT Application Documents
CAT is the entrance test for the IIMs and many other top MBA and PGP programmes. Registration on iimcat.ac.in captures your academic record and requires a clear photograph and signature, with category or PwD certificates where applicable. A clean upload avoids friction later during the IIM shortlist, WAT-PI and admission stages.
The photograph and signature are tied to your identity verification on exam day and at interview, so they should clearly match you. NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST and PwD certificates must be valid and readable as PDFs — keep the originals handy for verification.
PrepTools keeps this preparation private. Your CAT photo, signature and certificate PDFs are processed inside your browser and are never uploaded to a server.
Appearing for other PG entrances too?
Each portal has its own photo, signature and certificate rules. Keep separate, correctly sized files for each.
Frequently Asked Questions - CAT Photo, Signature and Documents
What is the CAT exam photo size and format?v
A recent colour passport photo of 1200x1200px in JPG/JPEG, maximum 80KB, front-facing with a white background and not older than 6 months.
What is the CAT signature upload size?v
A handwritten signature in black ink on white paper within 80mm x 35mm, uploaded as JPG/JPEG under 80KB. Capital-letter signatures are not allowed.
Which documents are required for CAT registration?v
Photograph and signature for all candidates, plus NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST or PwD certificate PDFs for reserved-category candidates.
What is the file size limit for CAT photo and signature?v
Both the photograph and signature must be JPG/JPEG and under 80KB each.
What format should CAT category certificates be uploaded in?v
As PDF files. Keep the scan clear so the certificate number, name and issuing authority are readable, and use the latest NC-OBC format.
Is PrepTools safe for CAT application documents?v
Yes. Files are processed locally in your browser and are not uploaded to a server.