India
Resume vs CV vs Biodata: Which One Do You Need?
By the MyResumeExpert Team · Updated October 3, 2026 · 3 min read
In India, the words resume, CV and biodata are often used as if they mean the same thing. They do not. Sending the wrong one, for example a biodata with your religion and father’s occupation to a corporate employer, can make an otherwise strong application look outdated.
Here is what each document is, when to use it, and what to leave out.
The three documents at a glance
| Resume | CV (curriculum vitae) | Biodata | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Get shortlisted for a specific job | Complete record of an academic or research career | Personal profile, mainly for marriage or some government forms |
| Length | 1–2 pages | 2+ pages, grows over a career | 1 page |
| Focus | Relevant skills and results | Education, research, publications, teaching | Personal and family details |
| Personal details | Name and contact only | Name and contact only | Date of birth, religion, height, family and so on |
| Tailored per job? | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Used for | Private-sector jobs, startups, MNCs, campus placements | Academia, research, some overseas and medical roles | Matrimonial purposes and some traditional applications |
Tip: When an Indian company or job portal asks for your "CV", it almost always means a resume. Send a one- or two-page resume unless the role is academic or research-based.
Resume: the default for job applications
A resume is a short, targeted summary of the skills, experience and results that make you right for one job. It is what recruiters at IT companies, startups, banks, consulting firms and multinationals expect, and what applicant tracking systems are built to read.
- Name, phone, email, city and LinkedIn
- A short professional summary or objective
- Work experience or internships with measurable results
- Education with CGPA or percentage if strong
- Skills, projects and certifications relevant to the job
Read our step-by-step guide to writing a resume or start from a free template.
CV: for academic, research and some overseas roles
A curriculum vitae is a full record of your academic and professional life. It is expected for faculty positions, PhD and postdoctoral applications, research jobs and many medical roles. In the UK, Europe and some other countries, "CV" is also the everyday word for what Indians and Americans call a resume.
A CV adds sections such as publications, conferences, research projects, grants, teaching experience and academic references. It has no strict length limit, but it should still be clearly organised.
Biodata: personal details, not for corporate jobs
A biodata ("biographical data") focuses on personal details: date of birth, gender, religion, caste, marital status, height, family background and hobbies, often with a photograph. It is mostly used for matrimonial purposes and for a few traditional or government formats.
Do not send a biodata to private-sector employers, and do not put biodata details on your resume. Information such as religion, caste, marital status or father’s name is irrelevant to your ability to do the job and can invite bias.
What to leave out of an Indian resume
- Date of birth, gender, religion, caste, marital status and nationality (unless a specific employer or government form asks for them).
- Father’s or mother’s name and occupation.
- A photograph, unless the employer requests one.
- Full postal address: your city is enough.
- A "Declaration" ("I hereby declare that the above information is true…") and a signature line.
- School marks once you have a degree, except where the employer asks for 10th and 12th percentages, which some campus recruiters do.
Freshers can follow our resume for freshers guide and campus placement resume guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a CV the same as a resume in India?
- In everyday use, yes: Indian employers who ask for a "CV" usually want a resume of one or two pages. A true academic CV is only needed for research, teaching and some medical roles.
- Should I send a biodata for a job?
- No, not for private-sector jobs. A biodata contains personal and family details that employers do not need. Send a resume instead.
- Should I add my photo to my resume in India?
- Only if the employer asks for it. Most companies, especially multinationals and startups, prefer resumes without photos.
- Do I need a declaration at the end of my resume?
- No. The "I hereby declare…" paragraph is outdated and takes space you can use for skills or achievements.
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