New Delhi [India], October 15 (ANI): E-commerce, logistics, retail, automotive, FMCG, and EV sectors are driving a strong surge in India’s hiring activity, expanding into emerging Tier-II regions, according to TeamLease Services’ latest Employment Outlook Report for HY2 FY2025-26 (October-March). The report indicates that India’s job market is growing steadily, with a projected Net Employment Change (NEC) of 4.4 per cent. Sectors such as e-commerce and tech start-ups (11.3 per cent), logistics (10.8 per cent), and retail (8.1 per cent) are leading hiring, while automotive, FMCG, and EV infrastructure are also expanding due to policy support including PLI and EMPS schemes. With India maintaining a robust 7.8 per cent GDP growth in Q1 FY2025-26, employers are aligning workforce plans with business goals, festive demand, and digital expansion.
The survey shows that over 56 per cent of employers intend to expand their workforce in the second half of FY2025-26, 27 per cent plan to maintain stability, and 17 per cent foresee rationalisation. Large enterprises continue to lead hiring, while smaller businesses are adopting a measured approach focused on returns and efficiency. Demand for essential workplace skills is rising, with communication (89 per cent), basic computer literacy (81 per cent), and critical thinking (78 per cent) ranked as the most sought-after capabilities.
Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President of TeamLease Services, said, “India’s workforce is entering a transformative phase where traditional hiring approaches are giving way to targeted, skill-driven strategies. According to our report, 61 per cent of employers are adopting selective, performance-based approaches for entry-level roles. By embedding capability-led, performance-linked practices, companies can meet today’s business needs while building a resilient, future-ready workforce.”
He added that government initiatives like the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) are aiding workforce formalisation. “Fifty-three percent of employers are aware of the scheme, and 64 per cent rate skill development support as its most valuable feature. This reflects a broader trend of prioritising skill density, retention, and formalisation over short-term cost savings,” Balasubramanian noted.
While Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai remain top hiring destinations due to their strong technology, manufacturing, and services base, the report highlights that hiring intent is increasingly spreading to smaller cities, marking a wider shift in India’s employment geography. (ANI)
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