Order sections as: contact details, summary, skills, education, experience (or projects for freshers), certifications — recruiters scan top-to-bottom in that sequence.
CV format
CV Format for Freshers and Experienced Professionals
The correct CV format for Indian job applications — section order, one-page vs two-page rules, PDF export and common formatting mistakes to avoid.
Application support
ATS-friendly structure
Government job context
Exam-prep pathway
Use it correctly
Practical resume guidance
Keep freshers to one page; two pages only once you have 4+ years of relevant experience to show.
Export as PDF, not .docx — a PDF keeps your formatting identical on every device and most ATS systems parse PDF text cleanly.
Skip photos, borders and multi-column layouts for private-sector applications; some government forms specifically require a photo — check the notification first.
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Resume questions
Common questions answered
What is the correct CV format for India?
Contact details, a 2-line summary, skills, education, then experience or projects — in that order. One page for freshers, up to two pages once you have 4+ years of relevant experience.
Should I export my CV as PDF or Word?
PDF. It keeps formatting identical across devices and most applicant-tracking systems parse PDF text reliably, as long as the text stays selectable rather than flattened into an image.
Is a photo required on an Indian CV?
Not for most private-sector applications. Some government application forms do require a photo — always check the specific notification before assuming either way.