Writing
What to write in a marriage biodata (and what to leave out)
A good biodata answers the questions a family would ask in the first ten minutes of meeting you — and nothing beyond that. This guide goes field by field: what to write, how to word it, and what to keep out because it gets forwarded to strangers.
- Include what a family needs to decide whether to meet.
- Leave out anything you would not say in a first meeting.
- Income as a range; never an exact salary or bank details.
- Never add someone else’s number without asking them.
The rule that decides everything
Your biodata will be forwarded — to relatives, family WhatsApp groups and matchmakers you will never meet. Write it for a stranger. Include what helps a family decide whether to take the next step, and nothing that could be misused or that you would not say in a first meeting.
Personal details: what to write
| Field | How to write it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Full name as you use it | Ananya Iyer |
| Date of birth | Day, month, year — not just age | 22 August 1996 |
| Height | Feet and inches | 5′ 5″ |
| Religion / community | As your family would describe it | Hindu, Tamil Brahmin |
| Mother tongue | One language | Tamil |
| Marital status | Plain and factual | Never married |
| Diet | Optional, one word | Vegetarian |
| Location | City where you live and work | Bengaluru |
Many older formats ask for complexion, weight or blood group. They are optional and increasingly left out — include them only if your family expects them. A photo already answers the first two.
Education and career
Write your highest qualification with the institution, then your current role. Families read this section closely, so be specific without overselling.
Good
B.Tech (Computer Science), NIT Trichy · Senior Software Engineer, Infosys, Bengaluru
Too vague
Engineer in an IT company
If you have changed careers, run your own business, or are preparing for a government exam, say so plainly: “Preparing for UPSC Civil Services, B.A. (History), Delhi University” is far better than leaving the field blank.
Income, handled carefully
Write a range: “₹10 – 15 Lakh per annum”. It answers the question without inviting negotiation, and it stays true after your next increment. For business owners, “Family business (textiles), annual turnover ₹2–5 Crore” or simply “Self-employed, stable income” both work. Never add salary slips, bank names, account numbers or property valuations.
Family details
Parents’ names and occupations, siblings with their education or work and whether they are married, family type and native place. Keep it to facts: “Father: Retired Deputy Engineer, PWD” is informative; “highly respected family” is not. The family details guide has wording for every common situation.
About me and partner preferences
About me should be 40–70 words in your own voice: what you do, what you enjoy, what matters to you. Examples are in this guide.
Partner preferences should be three or four lines — an age range, height range, education, and one line on values. See partner preference examples for wording that sounds open rather than demanding.
What to leave out
- Exact salary, bank details, PAN or Aadhaar numbers
- Full home address — the city is enough
- Social-media handles and email addresses you use for work
- Anything about past relationships (except factual marital status)
- Any mention of dowry, gifts or “expectations” from the other family — dowry is illegal in India, and even a hint of it ends conversations
- Preferences about skin colour; they read badly and many families now reject biodatas that include them
- A second phone number that belongs to someone who has not agreed to take calls
A last check before sending
Read it on your phone at normal zoom. Is the date of birth right? Are names spelled the way the family spells them? Does the phone number actually work? Then export it as a PDF. That is the version to send.
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Last updated 16 September 2026 · Biodata for Marriage team
Frequently asked questions
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