Biodata format for a job in India

A biodata format is a one-to-two page document with more personal details than a resume: date of birth, father's name, languages, address and a declaration, followed by education and experience. Some government offices and traditional employers in India still ask for one; for most private jobs, send a resume.

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Biodata at a glance

What it is: Biographical data: personal details first, then education, experience and skills.
When it's asked for: Some government offices, schools and colleges, small and family-run firms, and some overseas recruitment agencies.
Personal details: Full name, father's or mother's name, date of birth, gender, nationality, languages, contact details and address.
Photo: Often asked for: passport size, top right.
Education: A table-style list: examination, board or university, year, percentage or CGPA.
Declaration: Commonly included, with place, date and signature.
Resume instead: For private companies, MNCs and online portals, send a resume.
Never include: Aadhaar, PAN or bank details unless the form itself asks and you trust the recipient.

Resume sample for India

A made-up person, in the layout described on this page. Build yours with any CVEmber template and download it as a PDF.

Biodata sample (clerical post)

Suresh Kumar Yadav

Biodata · Application for the post of Office Assistant

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh · +91 98xxx xxxxx · suresh.yadav@example.com

Father's name: Ram Prakash Yadav · Date of birth: 14/03/2000 · Gender: Male · Nationality: Indian · Languages: Hindi, English

Educational qualifications

B.Com, University of Lucknow · 2021 · 68%
Class XII, UP Board · 2018 · 74%
Class X, UP Board · 2016 · 79%
CCC (Course on Computer Concepts), NIELIT · 2022

Work experience

Accounts Assistant, Shree Balaji Traders, Lucknow · Aug 2021–present · Tally entries, GST returns, billing and filing.

Skills

Tally Prime, MS Office, Hindi and English typing (35 wpm)

Declaration

I hereby declare that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Place: Lucknow · Date: 28/09/2026 · Signature: Suresh Kumar Yadav

Biodata vs resume vs CV

Resume / CV (same thing in India): one to two pages about your work, skills and education. What private companies and portals expect. See the resume format for India.
Biodata: personal details first, then qualifications. Asked for by some government offices and traditional employers.
A marriage biodata is a different document altogether; this page is about jobs.

Biodata format: the order

The word “Biodata” and the post you're applying for.
Photo (passport size) and personal details.
Educational qualifications, most recent first.
Work experience, if any.
Skills and computer knowledge.
Declaration, place, date and signature.

For government job applications

Major government recruiters (UPSC, SSC, state commissions) use their own online forms, which replace a biodata. Where an office asks for a biodata, match the order and details in the notification exactly, and carry attested copies of your certificates.

Biodata mistakes to avoid

Sending a biodata to a private company or a job portal that asked for a resume.
An old photo, or a casual one. Use a recent passport-size photo with a plain background.
Leaving the declaration unsigned or undated.
Marks that don't match your marksheets. Offices verify them against attested copies.
Personal details the notification didn't ask for, such as caste or religion, unless the form requires them for a reserved category.

Biodata for jobs abroad

Recruitment agencies for Gulf and overseas jobs sometimes ask for a biodata with passport details. Give the passport number only to a licensed agency you trust, and check the agency's registration with the Ministry of External Affairs' eMigrate portal before sending documents. For direct applications to overseas employers, send a CV in that country's format instead.

For schools, colleges and coaching institutes

Some teaching jobs ask for a biodata. Add your subjects, classes taught, board, qualifications such as B.Ed, CTET or NET, and results your students achieved. A demo-class line (“Available for a demo class on request”) is common and helps.

Biodata format in Marathi

A biodata format in Marathi is the same document with Marathi headings, used mainly for school, local-body and government jobs in Maharashtra. Write the headings in Marathi and the answers in Marathi or English as the form expects: नाव (name), जन्मतारीख (date of birth), पत्ता (address), शिक्षण (education), अनुभव (experience), भाषा (languages), वैवाहिक स्थिती (marital status) and संपर्क (contact). For a private-sector job, send an English biodata or resume unless the employer asks for Marathi.

Making one in CVEmber

Use a Simple template and switch on the photo, date of birth, languages and the declaration. CVEmber has no field for a parent's name yet, so if the office asks for it, add it on their form. Switch those details off and the same data gives you a normal resume for private jobs. The biodata maker opens the builder on the Personal Details design, ready for this.

Sources

Checked on 28 September 2026. Employers and portals change what they ask for, so always follow the job advert first.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

What is a biodata for a job?

A document that lists your personal details first (name, parent's name, date of birth, languages, address), then your education, experience and skills, and ends with a signed declaration.

Is biodata the same as a resume?

No. A resume focuses on work and skills and leaves out most personal details. A biodata leads with personal details. Private employers want a resume; some government and traditional employers want a biodata.

Should a biodata have a photo?

Usually yes: a recent passport-size photo in the top-right corner.

Can I send a biodata to a private company?

Send a resume instead unless they ask for a biodata. Private recruiters and portals read resumes more easily.

What is written in the declaration of a biodata?

"I hereby declare that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief," followed by place, date and your signature.

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