Abstract: A positive photosensitive resin composition and a method for forming patterns by using the same are disclosed. The photosensitive resin composition comprises a novolac resin (A), an ortho-naphthoquinone diazide sulfonic acid ester (B), a dye (C) and a solvent (D). The novolac resin (A) includes a high-ortho novolac resin (A-1) that has ortho-ortho methylene bonding to all methylene bonding in a ratio of 18% to 25%, thereby exhibiting excellent temporal stability and forming patterns with high resolution.