Not sure what goes in a marriage biodata? Here's every section you need, from personal details to family background and partner expectations, with examples.
SmartBiodata Team
6 min read
Making your first marriage biodata? Not sure what to put in and what to leave out? Here's a full checklist of every section you need, with examples and tips for each.
This is the core of your biodata.
Full Name as per official documents
Date of Birth in DD/MM/YYYY format
Age in completed years
Height in feet and inches (most families prefer this format)
Blood Group
Marital Status (Never Married / Divorced / Widowed)
Religion (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, etc.)
Caste and Sub-Caste (include if it matters to your community)
Native Place (ancestral hometown or state)
Many families still consider these very important, especially in South Indian and traditional communities.
Gotra (clan lineage)
Nakshatra (Birth Star) for horoscope matching
Rashi (Moon Sign) for compatibility
Lagna (Ascendant) (optional but helpful)
Manglik Status (Manglik / Non-Manglik / Partial Manglik)
Time and Place of Birth so the other family can match horoscopes
Horoscope Available (Yes/No)
For more on whether to include horoscope details, read our horoscope in biodata guide.
Highest Qualification (B.Tech, MBBS, MBA, CA, etc.)
Field/Specialisation
College / University
Year of Passing (optional but adds context)
Include all major qualifications. Don't leave this section vague.
Profession/Job Title (Software Engineer, Doctor, CA, etc.)
Company/Organisation (or "Self-Employed / Own Business")
Designation
Annual Income (use ranges, e.g., ₹15-18 LPA)
Work Location
Annual income is one of the first things families ask about. Including it upfront saves time for everyone.
We see a lot of biodatas where this section is an afterthought. It shouldn't be. Many families read this right after looking at the photo.
Father's Full Name and Occupation
Mother's Full Name and Occupation
Brothers with married/unmarried status
Sisters with married/unmarried status
Family Type (Nuclear or Joint)
Family Status (Middle Class, Upper Middle Class, Business Family, etc.)
Family Values (Traditional / Moderate / Liberal / Progressive)
Additional fields for specific communities:
Kuldevi / Kul Devata (family deity, for Rajput, Marwari, some Brahmin communities)
Native Village (Gam) (Gujarati communities)
Ancestral Property (optional, for business families)
For more on writing this section well, see our guide on family details in biodata.
Email Address (personal or family)
Phone / WhatsApp Number (a family member's number is common)
Current City and State
Contact Person ("Self" or "Father" or "Brother")
A photo makes your biodata feel real and trustworthy. Use:
A recent photo (within the last 6 months)
Good lighting, plain background
Formal or smart-casual attire
A warm, genuine smile
One photo (front-facing, clear face)
List 4 to 6 genuine interests. This section shows personality and helps potential matches find common ground.
Good examples: Reading, Cooking, Traveling, Photography, Cricket, Classical Music, Fitness, Gardening, Volunteering, Painting, Yoga.
Skip the generic stuff like "Listening to music, Watching movies." Everyone does those.
Write 3 to 5 sentences about what you're looking for. This is one of the most important sections because it:
Shows what compatibility looks like to you
Saves time by filtering out mismatches
Reflects your values and maturity
Good example: "Looking for an educated, family-oriented partner with similar values. Open to all sub-castes within the community. Someone who values both career and family, enjoys travel, and believes in equal partnership."
Avoid: Being overly specific about height, complexion, or income in a way that comes across as shallow.
For a deeper look at writing this section, see our partner expectations guide.
Some things are better left out:
Aadhaar / PAN / Passport number. Never put ID numbers in your biodata.
Salary details beyond a rough range. A range is enough.
Negative information. Don't mention past relationships or health issues in the biodata. Discuss privately if relevant.
Too many achievements. 2 or 3 key ones is enough.
Political or controversial opinions. Not the place for it.
Overly restrictive requirements. The more specific you get, the more matches you lose.
One page is ideal. Two pages are fine if you have a lot of ground to cover (extensive education or complex family background, for example).
Don't go beyond two pages. Families scan quickly. A focused one-pager always does better than a long document.
Some people confuse a biodata with a paragraph describing themselves. A biodata is a structured document with clearly labeled sections. Unlike a narrative paragraph, it lets families quickly scan for the information they care about.
Use a biodata template. It puts your information in the format families expect.
SmartBiodata walks you through every section of your biodata with helpful prompts and AI suggestions. All the sections in this checklist are built into the platform.
Create your free marriage biodata, no sign-up required, preview all 8 templates for free.
Is it mandatory to include income in a marriage biodata? Not mandatory, but it's a good idea. Families consider it a key compatibility factor. A range (e.g., ₹12-15 LPA) is enough.
Should I include my address in my biodata? No. Include your current city and state, not your full street address. Share your address only after you've built some trust with the other family.
What if I'm currently between jobs? Mention your most recent role and note that you're "currently exploring opportunities" or "planning to resume career after relocation." Honesty is always appreciated.
How many hobbies should I list? 4 to 6 genuine ones is the sweet spot. More than 8 starts to look made up. Less than 3 might seem like you have nothing going on outside work.