The report, which surveyed 1,065 employers between May and July, attributes the moderation in demand to a mix of AI-led workforce restructuring, global trade uncertainties, and a sharper focus on retaining experienced employees in core industries.
Hiring intent represents the percentage of employers likely to recruit staff during the six months under consideration.
Despite the overall slowdown, industry-level momentum remains strong, with e-commerce and technology startups leading the charge. The sector posted the highest intent to hire freshers at 88%, followed by retail (87%) and manufacturing (82%). “The strong hiring intent in e-commerce and technology startups reflects the dynamic growth in this sector, creating exciting opportunities for freshers,” said Shantanu Rooj, founder, TeamLease EdTech.
City-wise, Bangalore tops the charts with 81% hiring intent, followed by Mumbai (67%) and Chennai (59%). Smaller organisations continue to display a stronger inclination to hire freshers compared to larger enterprises, though their overall capacity remains limited.
Rooj also highlighted the growth of apprenticeship models: “The rise in degree apprenticeship programs further underscores the demand for practical, skill-based learning pathways.”The survey found that demand for degree apprenticeships is steadily rising, with manufacturing (37%), engineering & infrastructure (29%), and information technology (18%) showing the highest intent. Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune lead apprenticeship hiring among cities.Among job roles, positions such as IoT engineer, cloud engineer, process automation analyst, junior NLP developer, content marketing executive, and junior actuarial analyst are in high demand.Employers are also seeking core skills in cybersecurity, data storytelling, prompt engineering, sustainable energy systems, artificial intelligence, internet of things, actuarial science, genetic engineering, business analytics, and performance marketing.
Interestingly, the report hints at the growing weightage of soft skills in the hiring process. Employers are prioritising communication, empathy, ethical judgment, active listening, problem solving, collaboration, resilience, and time management as critical to employability.
Rooj added that as industries evolve with technology, “freshers who blend technical expertise with adaptability and human skills will find themselves well-positioned.”
While the dip in overall fresher hiring intent reflects short-term caution, the report suggests that sectors aligned with India’s consumption story and digital transformation remain upbeat. Industries like E-commerce and Retail are ramping up fresher recruitment ahead of the festive season, while Manufacturing and IT are reorienting towards job-ready talent with hybrid skill sets.