A new survey indicates that India’s entry-level job market remains robust in the second half of 2026, with employers prioritising digital skills and practical experience over traditional qualifications, particularly in e-commerce, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
India’s entry-level job market is set for another strong showing in the second half of 2026, with a TeamLease EdTech survey suggesting employers are still keen to add fresh graduates despite broader uncertainty in the labour market. The report said 75% of companies plan to recruit fresh talent between July and December, up slightly from 73% in the previous half-year, pointing to a steady appetite for graduate hiring.
The strongest demand is concentrated in e-commerce, technology start-ups, retail and manufacturing. TeamLease EdTech’s survey of 1,097 employers found hiring intent of 93% in both e-commerce and technology start-ups, matched by retail, while manufacturing followed at 89%. Fast-moving consumer goods firms also showed solid demand at 86%, with travel and hospitality at 81% and information technology at 76%.
The report suggests the rebound is being driven less by general headcount growth than by companies’ need for workers with digital and job-ready skills. Among the roles highlighted were AI application developer, junior semiconductor design engineer and data centre operations associate, alongside positions such as programmatic advertising associate and inventory and dispatch executive. The findings also pointed to rising demand for full-stack engineering, cloud security, business analytics, healthcare technology and sustainability skills tied to environmental, social and governance requirements.
That emphasis reflects a broader shift in recruitment. According to earlier reporting by Business Standard and The Times of India on TeamLease EdTech’s outlook for the first half of 2026, employers were already placing greater weight on internships, real-world projects and other evidence of practical experience rather than academic credentials alone. Those reports said retail, e-commerce and technology start-ups were leading the hiring revival, with Bengaluru and Mumbai emerging as key hubs. The latest survey suggests that pattern has not only held but widened, with manufacturing, logistics and other sectors also stepping up recruitment of new entrants.
Apprenticeships are also expected to play a larger role, particularly in manufacturing, engineering, infrastructure and information technology. TeamLease EdTech said degree apprenticeship hiring intent stood at 48% in manufacturing, 41% in engineering and infrastructure and 27% in IT. Taken together, the findings point to a fresher market that is improving, but one in which opportunities are becoming more selective and more closely tied to digital capability, adaptability and applied skills than to qualifications alone.
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