PDF Compressor
Compress scanned certificate PDFs to under 500 KB for government portal uploads. Free, browser-based — your PDF never leaves your device.
Compression Level
All compression happens in your browser. Files are never uploaded.
Tap to upload PDF
Drag & drop or click — PDF only
PDF File Size Limits — Major Government Job Portals
Maximum allowed PDF file size per document upload for common government exam portals.
| Portal / Exam | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSC Online (CGL, CHSL, MTS) | 500 KB | Per document upload; photo/signature have separate smaller limits |
| IBPS CRP (PO, Clerk, RRB) | 500 KB | Per certificate upload during document verification |
| SBI PO / Clerk | 500 KB | Each document individually; merged documents may allow 2 MB |
| UPSC CSE (DAF) | 500 KB–2 MB | Varies by document type; check current year DAF instructions |
| Railway RRB (NTPC, ALP) | 500 KB | Certificate PDFs for DV stage; exact limit varies per recruitment |
| State PSC (UPPSC, BPSC, MPPSC) | 1–2 MB | Varies by state; newer portals allow 2 MB, older ones 500 KB |
* Size limits vary by exam cycle and portal version. Always verify in the official notification.
How to Compress a PDF
Upload Your PDF
Click to upload or drag and drop your scanned certificate PDF. The tool displays the original file size so you can see how much compression is needed.
Select Compression Quality
Choose Medium quality (recommended) to reduce size by 60–80% while keeping the text legible. Use Low quality only if Medium still exceeds the portal limit.
Click Compress
The tool renders each PDF page on canvas as a JPEG image, then assembles them back into a new PDF. A progress bar shows the current page.
Check Before/After Size
The result card shows original vs. compressed file size. Confirm the compressed size is within the portal limit (typically under 500 KB).
Download and Upload
Click Download to save the compressed PDF. Upload it to the government portal. If still too large, re-compress at Low quality or compress individual pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
1Why do government portals have a PDF size limit?
Government job portals impose file size limits (usually 200 KB to 2 MB per document) to manage server storage and ensure fast uploads on low-speed internet connections common in rural India. Scanned certificate PDFs are often 3–10 MB, which exceeds these limits. Compression reduces the file to the accepted range.
2What compression level should I use?
For scanned certificate PDFs that will be reviewed by a verification officer, use Medium quality (0.5) — this typically reduces file size by 60–80% while keeping the text and signatures clearly readable. Use Low quality only if the portal has a strict 200–500 KB limit and Medium quality still produces a file that is too large.
3Why didn't my PDF get smaller after compression?
Some PDFs are already optimized or contain only vector text with very few images. This compression technique works by re-rendering each page as a JPEG image, which is most effective for scanned document PDFs. Text-only PDFs (created by software like Word or Excel) may not compress much — in some cases the output may even be larger. For text PDFs, try other dedicated PDF optimizers.
4How does this compression work technically?
The tool uses PDF.js to render each page of your PDF onto an HTML canvas element, then encodes the canvas as a compressed JPEG image. These JPEG images are assembled back into a new PDF using pdf-lib. The result is a PDF where each page is a JPEG image — smaller but still viewable in any PDF reader.
5Will the compressed PDF be readable and accepted by government portals?
Yes. The compressed PDF is a standard PDF file that opens in any PDF reader (Adobe Reader, browser, phone). Government portals accept it as long as it meets their size requirement and the content is legible. At Medium quality (50%), most scanned certificates remain clearly readable.
6My PDF has 10 pages. How long will compression take?
Compression time depends on your device speed and PDF page count. On a modern laptop, a 10-page scanned PDF typically compresses in 15–30 seconds. A progress bar shows you the current page being processed. Keep the browser tab open until completion.
7Is my PDF uploaded to any server during compression?
No. The entire compression process runs inside your browser using JavaScript. Your PDF data never leaves your device. This makes it safe to compress sensitive documents like salary slips, caste certificates, and identity documents.