India fresher hiring outlook rises to 75% for H2 2026

India’s fresher hiring outlook is expected to strengthen in the second half of 2026, with overall hiring intent rising to 75% from 73% in the first half of the year. According to a report by TeamLease EdTech, recruitment is being driven primarily by the e-commerce, technology start-up, and retail sectors, both of which report a 93% hiring intent. Manufacturing also shows strong demand at 89%, followed by FMCG at 86%.

While the national outlook is positive, the recovery is uneven across industries. The Information Technology (IT) sector saw a decline in hiring intent, dropping to 76% from 81%. Other sectors experiencing declines include consulting, telecommunications, and marketing and advertising.

There is a notable shift toward capability-led hiring, where employers prioritize practical skills, AI fluency, and digital readiness over formal qualifications alone. High-demand roles include AI Application Developers, Junior Semiconductor Design Engineers, and Data Centre Operations Associates. Geographically, Bangalore leads with 89% hiring intent, followed by Mumbai at 75% and Chennai at 71%.