Software engineer resume India: format, skills & ATS rules
The India-specific conventions product companies actually expect — CGPA rules, project sections, GitHub placement, and keywords TCS vs startups look for.
Written and maintained by the ApplyVita editorial desk · last reviewed . How we research and update these guides.
The India SWE resume in one paragraph
Indian software engineer resumes follow global ATS rules with a few local twists: institution name matters more for campus hires, service companies want skill matrices upfront, and product startups want GitHub + quantified project impact. No photo for product/MNC roles. CGPA only if above 8.0 and within 5 years of graduation.
Product company vs service company format
Product (Razorpay, Flipkart, Postman, CRED): Outcome bullets, system design scale, 1 page under 5 YOE. Lead with impact metrics. GitHub link next to your name if strong.
Service (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL): Skills section upfront, certifications visible, client/project names where NDA allows. Often 2 pages acceptable for 5+ years. See company-specific formats.
Startups: Shorter is better. Show ownership: "solo-built", "0→1", "shipped in 6 weeks."
Skills section that passes ATS
List 15–25 skills in categories:
- Languages: Java, Python, TypeScript
- Frameworks: Spring Boot, React, Node.js
- Infra: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD
- Data: PostgreSQL, Redis, Kafka
Match the JD's exact spelling. If they say "Node.js", do not write only "Node".
Projects section for freshers and 1–3 YOE
Every project needs: problem → your role → tech stack → measurable outcome.
Weak: "E-commerce website using MERN."
Strong: "Built a MERN marketplace for campus sellers; handled 2k SKUs, integrated Razorpay, reduced checkout errors 30% via input validation layer."
Cap at 2–3 projects. Depth beats count.
Campus placement vs off-campus
On campus, your placement cell may lock formatting and require proof for every claim — see IIT resume credential restrictions. Off-campus, you control the document but must pass ATS — use the free checker against each JD.
Frequently asked questions
Should I put photo on SWE resume in India?
No for product companies and most MNCs. Traditional industries (banking, hospitality) may expect it — when unsure, omit.
How long should a software engineer resume be in India?
1 page under 5 years experience, 2 pages max beyond that. Recruiters scan in 7 seconds regardless of market.
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Check ATS scoreThe ApplyVita Career Team builds the resume-scoring and job-matching tools at the core of ApplyVita. Our guidance is grounded in the same four-component ATS rubric our product scores resumes on — content and impact, keyword match, formatting, and skills — and in current recruiter and hiring-manager practice. Every guide is checked against that rubric before it is published, and updated as hiring norms change.