If you have ever applied for Kerala PSC, LDC, or any state-level exam online, you know the frustration: you upload a passport photo and the portal rejects it because the file exceeds 50KB. Phone cameras produce 2–5 MB images by default, so almost every applicant hits this wall at least once.

The good news is you do not need Photoshop, a cyber café, or any app that uploads your face to a stranger's server. You can compress your photo to exactly 50KB — and set the correct dimensions — using free tools that run entirely in your browser.

What Kerala PSC expects from your photo

While exact specifications can vary slightly by notification year, Kerala PSC applications typically require:

  • A recent passport-style colour photo with a plain light background
  • Dimensions around 150×200 pixels (width × height) or similar portrait ratio
  • File format: JPEG (.jpg)
  • Maximum file size: 50KB — this is the limit that causes most rejections

Always cross-check the current notification PDF on keralapsc.gov.in before submitting. Limits can change between exam cycles.

Step-by-step: compress to 50KB

  1. Take or select a clear photo. Face the camera directly, ensure even lighting, and use a white or off-white wall behind you. Avoid shadows on your face.
  2. Open the ToolShoppy Image Compressor. Go to /tools/image/compress/ on your phone or laptop. No account needed.
  3. Upload your photo. Tap to browse, drag and drop, or paste from clipboard (Ctrl+V on desktop).
  4. Select the 50 KB preset. Click the "50 KB" chip, then press Compress Image. The tool binary-searches JPEG quality in your browser until the output matches 50KB.
  5. Check the preview and download. Verify the final size shows ~50KB, then download the compressed file.
  6. Upload to the PSC portal. Use the downloaded JPG on thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in or the relevant application page.

Need correct PSC dimensions too?

File size alone is not enough — your photo must also match the required pixel dimensions. ToolShoppy's Govt Photo Resizer with PSC preset crops and resizes to the standard Kerala PSC size, then compresses to your target KB in one step. This is faster than compressing first and resizing separately.

Why browser-based tools are safer

Your PSC photo is a biometric identifier. Uploading it to random "free compress" websites sends your face to unknown servers. ToolShoppy processes everything locally using the HTML5 Canvas API — the image never leaves your device. There is no signup, no cloud storage, and no data retention.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using PNG instead of JPG. PNG files are much larger. Always export as JPEG for PSC uploads.
  • Compressing a screenshot. Take the photo from the original file, not a screenshot of a gallery thumbnail.
  • Over-editing. Heavy filters or beauty modes can make your photo fail manual verification.
  • Ignoring dimension requirements. A 50KB file at the wrong aspect ratio may still be rejected.

With the right tool and two minutes of effort, PSC photo uploads stop being a blocker. Bookmark the compressor before your next application deadline.