Government job applications in India follow significantly different conventions than private sector resumes. While corporate India has moved toward concise, achievement-focused resumes, government applications — including UPSC, SSC, banking (SBI, IBPS), railways, defense, and PSU positions — often require a detailed biodata format with personal information that would be inappropriate on a corporate resume.
The standard government biodata format includes these sections in order: Personal Details (full name, father's/husband's name, date of birth, gender, marital status, nationality, religion, category — SC/ST/OBC/General, address — permanent and correspondence), Educational Qualifications (in a table format with columns for Examination, Board/University, Year of Passing, Percentage/CGPA, Subjects), Work Experience (chronological list with organization, designation, pay scale, period of service, and reason for leaving), Additional Qualifications (certifications, computer skills, language proficiency), and Declaration (signed statement that all information is true).
For UPSC interviews (Civil Services, IES, CDS), the format is different — the UPSC provides its own Detailed Application Form (DAF) which must be filled exactly as specified. For banking exams (IBPS PO/Clerk, SBI PO), the online application form is the primary document, but you may need a resume for the interview round. PSU applications (BHEL, ONGC, NTPC) often accept corporate resume formats but may require additional personal details.
Key differences from corporate resumes: include your complete educational history (10th onwards), mention category/reservation status, include passport-sized photograph, use formal language and avoid marketing-style bullet points, and always include the signed declaration at the end. Follow the exact format specified in the recruitment notification — deviating from it can lead to application rejection.