Documents to keep ready before you fill a government job form

Most online forms stay open for only a few weeks, and many candidates lose time on the last day looking for a certificate or resizing a photo. Keep these ready before you open the form.

Photos and signature

• A recent passport-size photo with a plain light background. Use the date and size rule in the notice.
• Your signature on white paper in black or blue ink, scanned clearly.
• Left thumb impression or handwritten declaration, if the notice asks for them.

Each notice states the file format and size, often JPG between 20 KB and 200 KB. Read it before you resize the files, because the limits differ from one exam to another.

Certificates

• 10th certificate or marksheet, which most boards accept as proof of date of birth.
• Marksheets and degree or provisional certificate for your highest qualification.
• Category certificate (SC, ST, OBC, EWS) in the format the notice asks for. Some boards want a recent date, and OBC usually needs the non-creamy layer part.
• Disability, ex-serviceman or other special certificates, if you claim those benefits.
• Domicile or residence certificate when the post has a state quota.
• Experience certificate if the post asks for work experience.

Details and payment

• Aadhaar or another photo ID.
• A mobile number and email address you use every day. OTPs and admit cards are sent there.
• A debit card, net banking or UPI for the fee, if there is one.
• Your name, father's name and date of birth spelled exactly as on your 10th certificate.

Before you press submit

• Check the preview page line by line. Many forms cannot be edited after the final submit.
• Save the confirmation page as a PDF and note your registration number.
• If you paid a fee, keep the payment receipt until the process is over.