Quick answer
For government exam forms, scan each certificate clearly, convert photos to PDF, rotate and crop pages so they're straight, merge only when the portal wants one file, then compress to the size in the official notification. Always follow the notification — formats and size limits differ by exam and year.
What documents are usually asked for?
Each notification has its own list, but these come up often:
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets and certificates
- Graduation degree or provisional certificate
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) and income certificate
- Domicile or residence certificate
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID or passport
- Experience or NOC letters for working candidates
Photo and signature uploads are usually separate JPG files with their own pixel and KB limits — read those rules carefully.
How do I turn phone photos into clean PDFs?
- Photograph each page flat, in good light, with no shadows.
- Add the photos to Images to PDF — one image per page.
- Fix sideways pages with Rotate PDF and trim edges with Crop PDF.
One file or separate files?
| Portal asks for | Do this |
|---|---|
| Separate upload per certificate | One PDF per document |
| One combined file | Merge PDF in the order listed in the notification |
| "Self-attested" copies | Sign each page before scanning, or use Sign PDF if digital copies are allowed |
How do I meet the size limit?
Use Compress PDF with Strong and grayscale for black-and-white documents. See our guide on compressing to 100, 200 or 500 KB for exact steps.
Final checks before you submit
- Every page is upright, readable and complete — no cut-off edges.
- File names are clear (for example, class10-marksheet.pdf).
- Sizes are below the limit with some margin.
- No password on the files — portals usually can't open protected PDFs. Remove it with Remove password.
Keep a folder of ready-made PDFs. Most of these documents are asked for again in the next exam cycle.
Frequently asked questions
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