Should an Indian resume include a photo?

Include one for government, PSU, banking, teaching and most campus placement formats, where a passport-style photo is conventional. Leave it out for IT companies, startups and multinationals, and for any role where the resume is screened by an ATS.

Is a declaration necessary on an Indian resume?

Only in the formal or biodata format. It is expected for government and campus applications and looks out of place on a private-sector resume. Our Classic Formal template includes the declaration and signature line.

How long should a resume be in India?

One page for freshers and candidates with under three years of experience. Two pages is normal beyond that; three pages is only justified for senior or academic profiles with publications.

Resume Format for India (2026) — Rules, Sections & Free Template

Indian hiring sits between two conventions. Government, PSU, banking and many campus processes still expect a formal biodata-style resume with personal details and a declaration. Private IT, startups and multinationals expect the international format with no photo, no date of birth and hard achievement numbers. Using the wrong one costs you the shortlist.

Length: 1 page for freshers, 2 pages with experience
Photo: Common for formal/government roles, skip for IT and MNCs
Personal details: DOB, father's name, marital status — formal roles only
Declaration: Expected in formal and campus formats

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Which Indian resume format should you use?

Choose the formal format for government departments, PSUs, banks, teaching posts, defence-adjacent roles and most campus placement cells. It uses an academic qualification table, a personal information block and a signed declaration — that structure signals you followed the expected convention.

Choose the international format for IT services, product companies, startups, consulting and any multinational. Drop the photo, date of birth, father's name and declaration, and use the space for measurable achievements instead. Most of these employers screen through an ATS that gains nothing from personal details.

Formal / biodata format: government, PSU, banking, teaching, campus drives
International format: IT, product, startups, consulting, MNCs, remote roles
When unsure, follow the format used in the job advertisement itself

Sections of an Indian resume, in order

Freshers should lead with education because it is the strongest evidence they have. Anyone with more than a year of work experience should lead with work history, regardless of format.

Header: name, phone with country code, professional email, city and state, LinkedIn
Career objective (freshers) or professional summary (experienced)
Education: degree, institution, university, year, percentage or CGPA
Work experience or internships, with achievement bullets
Technical and soft skills, grouped by category
Projects, certifications and training
Achievements, positions of responsibility, extracurriculars
Personal details and declaration — only for the formal format
Languages known, with proficiency level

Indian resume conventions that still matter

Percentage and CGPA are expected in India, unlike most Western markets. Give both if your university reports both, and include the conversion so a recruiter never has to calculate it.

Notice period and current CTC are frequently requested. Do not put CTC on the resume itself — mention notice period only if the posting explicitly asks for it, and keep salary discussion for the application form.

Write percentages as '82.4%' and CGPA as '8.6/10' — never leave the scale off
Use Month YYYY date formats consistently
Use an Indian mobile number with the +91 prefix for remote or overseas applications
Use a plain email address based on your name, not a college or nickname address
Have a colleague check for the passive, over-formal phrasing that dates a resume

Frequently asked questions

Should an Indian resume include a photo?: Include one for government, PSU, banking, teaching and most campus placement formats, where a passport-style photo is conventional. Leave it out for IT companies, startups and multinationals, and for any role where the resume is screened by an ATS.
Is a declaration necessary on an Indian resume?: Only in the formal or biodata format. It is expected for government and campus applications and looks out of place on a private-sector resume. Our Classic Formal template includes the declaration and signature line.
How long should a resume be in India?: One page for freshers and candidates with under three years of experience. Two pages is normal beyond that; three pages is only justified for senior or academic profiles with publications.