Sunday, 23 Mar, 2025
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The IT sector is set to create over 1.5 lakh entry-level jobs as firms scale up to meet rising project demands. Rising investments in next-gen technologies fuelling demand for skilled talent.
India’s job market is gaining steam, with hiring intent for freshers rising to 74 per cent in the first half of 2025, according to learning and employability solution company TeamLease EdTech’s Career Outlook Report HY1 2025 released on February 20. Overall recruitment sentiment stands at 79 per cent, driven by strong demand in IT, healthcare, pharma, marketing, and logistics.
Experts say the surge reflects economic resilience and industry expansion, but sustaining momentum will require skilling initiatives to bridge talent gaps. For fresh graduates, the outlook is promising—provided they align with evolving industry needs.
The job market is heating up, with freshers and degree apprentices seeing stronger hiring prospects in the first half of 2025. A survey of 649 employers by TeamLease EdTech highlights a sharp uptick in recruitment across key sectors compared to late 2024.
E-commerce and tech startups saw hiring intent jump from 61 per cent to 70 per cent, manufacturing from 52 per cent to 66 per cent, and engineering and infrastructure from 59 per cent to 62 per cent. The IT sector is rebounding, with entry-level hiring rising to 59 per cent from 45 per cent, while healthcare and pharma edged up to 52 per cent. Notably, the trend signals a robust recovery, but sustaining momentum will require a skilled workforce aligned with evolving industry needs.
The IT sector is leading the charge, set to create more than 1.5 lakh entry-level jobs as firms scale up to meet project demands. Meanwhile, roles in AI (Artificial Intelligence), machine learning, data analytics, and cloud technologies are expected to grow 30-35 per cent this fiscal, fuelled by rising investments in emerging tech.
While IT and emerging tech dominate hiring, traditionally smaller sectors such as power and energy (+4 per cent) and marketing & advertising (+2 per cent) are also seeing steady growth, reaching 22 per cent and 11 per cent hiring intent, respectively.
Bengaluru (78 per cent), Mumbai (65 per cent), Delhi NCR (61 per cent), and Chennai (57 per cent) remain top hubs for fresh talent. Meanwhile, as India aligns with the global AI revolution, deep-tech roles such as Clinical Bioinformatics Associate, Robotics System Engineer, Sustainability Analyst, and Prompt Engineer are emerging as sought-after career paths, the report mentioned.
Companies are prioritising candidates with expertise in Robotic Process Automation, Performance Marketing, Network Security, and Financial Risk Analysis to meet evolving business needs. Beyond technical proficiency, employers are emphasising computational thinking, interpersonal skills, analytical reasoning, and adaptability—critical for entry-level success.
With industries evolving rapidly, the future of hiring will favour those who blend domain expertise with strong problem-solving and communication abilities, it said.
Degree apprenticeships are gaining momentum as companies invest in hands-on training to bridge skill gaps. Manufacturing (30 per cent), engineering & infrastructure (23 per cent), and IT (12 per cent) are leading the trend, signalling a shift toward practical, industry-driven learning.
As businesses seek job-ready talent, apprenticeships are becoming a key tool for workforce development, ensuring graduates gain real-world expertise while easing hiring bottlenecks.
