Hindu marriage biodatas follow the general structure covered in our complete biodata guide, but they typically include a few additional fields rooted in tradition - particularly around horoscope (kundli) details, gotra, and manglik status. Whether your family follows these closely or only loosely, it helps to know what's commonly expected so nothing important is missing.
Personal details section
Alongside the standard fields (name, date of birth, height, education), Hindu biodatas commonly include:
- Gotra - your family's lineage, often relevant for matchmaking within certain communities to avoid same-gotra matches
- Rashi (zodiac sign) and Nakshatra (birth star) - used for horoscope matching
- Manglik status - whether you are "manglik" (Mars-afflicted) according to your horoscope, which some families consider important when matching
- Gana, Nadi, and other Ashtakoot details - if your family does formal kundli matching, these compatibility factors may be requested
If your family doesn't follow horoscope matching, these fields can simply be omitted - there's no requirement to include them.
Birth details for horoscope matching
If horoscope matching matters to your family, be precise:
- Date of birth
- Exact time of birth (down to the minute, if available - this affects the ascendant/lagna calculation)
- Place of birth (city and state)
Many families attach a horoscope chart (kundli) as a separate document or image alongside the biodata rather than embedding it directly - this keeps the biodata itself clean and easy to read.
Family details
Hindu biodatas often place extra emphasis on:
- Family's native place (gaon/village or ancestral town), even if the family currently lives elsewhere
- Family deity (kuldevi/kuldevta) - mentioned in some traditional families
- Whether the family follows any specific religious practices (e.g., vegetarian household, regular temple visits)
- Father's and mother's gotra (in communities where maternal gotra is also considered)
About me and partner expectations
These sections follow the general format - a few sentences about your personality and interests, followed by what you're looking for in a partner. See our guide on writing partner expectations without sounding picky for phrasing that comes across as genuine rather than a checklist.
Sample structure
Om / Ganesha symbol (optional, decorative)
Photograph
Personal Details
- Name, DOB, Time & Place of Birth
- Height, Education, Occupation
- Gotra, Rashi, Nakshatra, Manglik status
Family Details
- Father's name & occupation
- Mother's name & occupation
- Siblings
- Native place
About Me
Partner Expectations
Contact Details
A note on regional variations
Hindu biodata conventions vary noticeably by region. For families in North India, you may find it useful to prepare a Hindi-language version alongside the English one - see our Hindi biodata format guide for label translations and cultural notes. Similarly, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, and other regional formats each have their own conventions, covered in our language-specific format guides.
Getting started
If you'd rather not format all of this manually, our Hindu marriage biodata template is pre-structured with these sections - including optional fields for gotra, rashi, and manglik status - so you can fill in your details and download a PDF without worrying about layout.
Frequently asked questions
Is gotra information mandatory? No - it's relevant mainly for families who consider gotra in matchmaking. If it doesn't apply to your family's practices, leave it out.
What if I don't know my exact time of birth? Mention "approximate" next to the time, or leave it blank - many horoscope matchers can still work with date and place alone, though precision helps.
Should I mention manglik status if I'm not sure? Only include it if you've had your horoscope checked. If you're unsure and your family cares about this, it's worth getting it verified before finalising the biodata.