Get the best CV format for India 2025. 20+ free templates for freshers & experienced. Government job CV, IT CV, banking CV. Download in Word & PDF. ATS-friendly formats that get interview calls.
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In the competitive Indian job market with over 1 crore job applications submitted annually, your CV format can make or break your chances of getting an interview call. A well-formatted CV not only showcases your qualifications and experience effectively but also passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that 75% of Indian companies now use to filter candidates.
Whether you're a fresher looking for your first job, an experienced professional seeking career growth, or someone applying for government positions, having the right CV format is crucial. In India, CV and resume are often used interchangeably, though technically they differ in length and detail. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about CV formatting for the Indian job market in 2025.
We'll explore the three main CV format types accepted in India, provide 20+ free downloadable templates for different industries and experience levels, explain how to make your CV ATS-friendly, and share expert tips from recruiters at top Indian companies. Whether you're targeting IT giants like TCS and Infosys, banking institutions, government jobs, or startups, this guide has the perfect CV format for your needs.
| Aspect | CV (Curriculum Vitae) | Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 2+ pages, comprehensive | 1-2 pages, concise |
| Purpose | Academic, research, complete career history | Job applications, tailored to position |
| Content | All education, publications, research, projects | Relevant experience and skills for specific job |
| Customization | Static, rarely changed | Customized for each application |
| Used For | Academia, research, teaching, govt jobs | Corporate jobs, IT, banking, startups |
| Indian Context | Terms used interchangeably | Most job postings say "CV" but mean resume |
For Indian Job Market:
When a job posting says "Send your CV", they typically expect a concise 1-2 page resume unless it's an academic/research position. Create a targeted document focused on relevant skills and experience, not a comprehensive career history.
Select a format to see detailed breakdown and when to use it
Most common format in India. Lists experience in reverse chronological order.
Choose from 20+ professional templates tailored for Indian job market
Clean, ATS-friendly format for college graduates
Technical resume with skills-first layout
Formal format for govt applications with photo
Professional format for finance graduates
Technical format for engineering roles
Modern design for design/marketing roles
Executive format for 10+ years experience
Academic format for teaching positions
75% of Indian companies use ATS - ensure your CV passes the screening
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software used by companies to filter and rank resumes before they reach human recruiters. In India, major companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Accenture, and most MNCs use ATS. If your CV isn't ATS-friendly, it may get rejected automatically, regardless of your qualifications.
Copy your entire CV and paste it into a plain text editor like Notepad. If the formatting survives and all information is readable in correct order, your CV is likely ATS-friendly.
Test My CV in ATS CheckerIn India, the terms CV (Curriculum Vitae) and resume are often used interchangeably, but technically: Resume is a 1-2 page document focused on relevant experience and skills for specific job. CV is comprehensive 2+ page document listing all academic qualifications, research, publications, projects - common in academia. For most corporate jobs in India, recruiters expect a resume (1-2 pages). However, many job postings say "Send CV" meaning resume. For Indian job market, create a concise 1-2 page document regardless of terminology.
For Indian job market: Chronological format is best for traditional sectors (banking, government, manufacturing, consulting) as it shows clear career progression. Combination format works well for IT, startups, digital marketing where skills matter as much as experience. Functional format is least preferred in India but can work for career changers. For freshers, chronological with education-first works best. For experienced professionals (3+ years), reverse-chronological with experience-first is standard. Always tailor to industry norms.
For Indian job applications: Freshers (0-2 years): Strictly 1 page. Experienced (3-7 years): 1-2 pages, preferably 1 page. Senior professionals (8+ years): Maximum 2 pages. Avoid going beyond 2 pages unless applying for academic/research positions. Indian recruiters receive hundreds of applications and prefer concise documents. Quality over quantity - every line should add value. For government jobs, 2 pages is more acceptable as they want comprehensive information.
In India, including photo is optional and depends on industry: IT/Tech companies: Generally not required, often discouraged. Government jobs: Often required as per application format. Banking/Finance: Mixed - conservative sectors may expect it. Startups/Modern companies: Usually not needed. International companies: Usually discouraged. If including photo: use professional headshot, business attire, neutral background, passport-size placement (top right corner). When in doubt, check job posting requirements. For ATS optimization, avoid photos unless explicitly requested.
Professional fonts for Indian CVs: Arial (most ATS-friendly, clean, modern), Calibri (professional, easy to read), Times New Roman (traditional, good for government/banking), Garamond (elegant for creative roles). Font sizes: Name: 16-18pt, Section headings: 12-14pt bold, Body text: 10-11pt, Margins: 0.5-1 inch all sides, Line spacing: 1.0 or 1.15. Avoid: Comic Sans, fancy fonts, multiple colors (use black/dark grey), excessive bold/italics, tables (not ATS-friendly), text boxes, graphics/icons. Keep formatting clean and professional.
Complete CV format guide for Indian job market
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