The question of whether to include a photo on your resume is particularly relevant in India, where older resume conventions sometimes clash with modern best practices. The clear recommendation for 2026: skip the photo for private sector, IT, and corporate applications. Here's why and when this rule has exceptions.
ATS systems cannot process photographs, and the space a photo occupies (typically a 1.5x2 inch area in the top corner) could be used for an additional 3-4 lines of valuable text. More importantly, research shows that photos introduce unconscious bias — recruiters may form opinions based on appearance, age, gender, or perceived background before reading a single line of your qualifications. Progressive Indian companies actively discourage photos to promote fair hiring.
There are specific situations where a photo is appropriate or required: Government job applications (UPSC, SSC, banking) that specify 'affix passport-sized photograph,' airline and hospitality roles where presentation is part of the job, modeling, acting, and media roles, and some traditional Indian companies that still expect photos. If a job posting explicitly asks for a photo, include a professional passport-style photograph — formal attire, neutral background, good lighting.
If you do include a photo, follow these guidelines: use a recent professional photograph (not a selfie or casual photo), wear formal or business-casual attire, use a plain white or light background, ensure good lighting and a neutral expression, and keep the image small (passport size, typically in the top-right corner). Never include group photos, vacation pictures, or heavily filtered images.