Guide • 1 min read
CV vs resume: the difference and which one to send in India
In everyday Indian hiring, CV and resume mean almost the same thing: a document about your work and education. The difference matters mainly for academic jobs and for applications abroad.
Updated 2026-10-27•ResumeAI team
The short answer
A resume is a short, targeted summary, usually one or two pages. A CV (curriculum vitae) is a fuller record of your career, often longer, and is common in academia, research and medicine.
When to send which
Use these rules of thumb:
- Corporate and private jobs in India: send a one or two page resume, even if the job post says CV.
- Teaching, research, PhD and fellowship applications: send a full academic CV with publications and projects.
- Jobs in the US and Canada: send a resume. In Europe and the UK: a CV, usually two pages.
- Government forms: follow the format in the notice exactly.
What a CV adds
An academic CV may include more sections.
- Publications and conference papers.
- Research projects, grants and fellowships.
- Teaching experience and courses taught.
- Awards, memberships and references.
Do not stress over the word
If you are unsure, send a clear one-page resume tailored to the job. Recruiters care that the document is easy to read and matches the role, not which word is on it.
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Keep reading
- How to write a resume that gets shortlistedA step-by-step guide for Indian job seekers: what to include, what to leave out and how to order it.
- Resume format for India: what to include and what to leave outThe resume format Indian recruiters expect: sections, order, length, photo, personal details and declaration, explained simply.
- How to make your resume ATS-friendlyWhat applicant tracking systems do, how they read your resume and how to avoid common formatting mistakes.