Writing
Partner preferences in a marriage biodata: examples that don’t sound demanding
Partner preferences are the section most likely to put a family off — not because of what people want, but because of how they write it. Here is what to include, how much, and examples that sound clear without sounding like a list of conditions.
- Three or four lines: age range, height range, education or work, and one line on values.
- Use ranges, not exact numbers — they widen the right matches.
- Write what you are looking for, not what you will reject.
- Leave out complexion, dowry or anything about the other family’s wealth.
What partner preferences are for
Families and matchmakers use this section to filter quickly: does this biodata fit what the other family is looking for? It is not a place to describe your ideal person in detail. A short, open section gets you more of the right proposals; a long, specific one gets you fewer, and often not the ones you wanted.
What to include
| Preference | How to write it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Age | A range | 27 – 31 years |
| Height | A range or minimum | 5′ 8″ and above |
| Education | Level, not a college name | Graduate or postgraduate |
| Occupation | A broad field, or “working professional” | Working professional, preferably in Bengaluru |
| Location | Where you can live, or openness to moving | Open to relocating within India |
| Religion / community | Only if it matters to your family | Hindu; community no bar |
| Diet & lifestyle | Only if it truly matters | Vegetarian; non-smoker |
| Values | One line | Family-oriented, respectful and easy to talk to |
Pick four or five of these. You do not need every row.
Examples for girls
Working professional
Age 28–32, height 5′ 8″ and above. A well-educated working professional, ideally based in Pune or Mumbai. Someone kind, supportive of my career and close to his family.
Open to relocating
Age 27–31, graduate or above, settled in his career. Open to living in India or abroad. Honest, respectful and with a good sense of humour.
Traditional family
Age 26–30 from a family with similar values. Educated and financially independent. Vegetarian, respectful towards elders and fond of family traditions.
Short
Age 29–33, well-educated, employed, from a cultured family. Caste no bar.
Doctor looking for understanding partner
Age 30–34, postgraduate. A doctor or someone who understands long working hours in medicine. Calm, mature and family-oriented.
NRI or open to abroad
Age 28–32, working in India or abroad (US, Canada, UK preferred). Educated, independent and comfortable with a modern outlook while respecting traditions.
Examples for boys
Working professional
Age 25–29, height 5′ 2″ and above. Graduate or postgraduate, working or planning to work. Warm, understanding and close to family.
Traditional family
Age 24–28, educated and from a family with similar values. Someone who enjoys family life and respects traditions. Diet: vegetarian.
Open-minded
Age 26–31, well-educated. Community no bar. Independent, cheerful and interested in building a life together as equals.
Short
Age 25–29, graduate, family-oriented. Profession no bar.
Business family
Age 24–28, educated and adaptable. Comfortable with a joint family and a family business. Warm and respectful.
Living abroad
Age 26–30, graduate or above, open to moving to Australia. Independent, adaptable and close to family.
Wording that turns people away — and what to write instead
| Avoid | Write instead | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “Fair, slim and beautiful girl only” | “Educated, cheerful and family-oriented” | Colour and body preferences read badly and many families reject such biodatas outright |
| “Must earn above ₹30 Lakh” | “Well-settled working professional” | Exact income demands sound transactional |
| “Only from a rich family” | “From a family with similar values” | Focuses on values, not wealth |
| “No working girls” | “Someone who enjoys family life” | Negative wording closes doors unnecessarily |
| “Should adjust with in-laws” | “Comfortable living with a joint family” | Same meaning, respectful tone |
Never mention dowry, gifts, a car or property in any form. Demanding or accepting dowry is a criminal offence under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and even an indirect hint in a biodata ends conversations with the families most worth meeting.
Where to put preferences on the page
Put them after About Me and before contact details, under a heading such as “Partner preferences” or “Expectations”. Keep them to one short paragraph or four bullet points. If they run longer than your About Me, cut them down.
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Last updated 19 September 2026 · Biodata for Marriage team
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