India’s job market for freshers is thriving, led by e-commerce and technology start-ups. A recent report reveals 88% of employers in these sectors plan to hire fresh graduates from July to December 2025. Retail follows closely at 87%, with manufacturing at 82%. Bangalore tops the list of cities, with 81% hiring intent, trailed by Mumbai at 67% and Chennai at 59%.
The TeamLease EdTech Career Outlook Report (HY2 2025), based on a survey of 1,065 employers conducted between May and July 2025, highlights robust opportunities for first-time job seekers. However, overall fresher hiring intent has dipped slightly to 70%, down 4% from January to June 2025. This shift stems from AI-driven workforce changes, global trade uncertainties, and a focus on retaining experienced talent.
Degree apprenticeships are gaining traction, with manufacturing leading at 37%, followed by engineering and infrastructure at 29%, and information technology at 18%. Bangalore, Chennai, and Pune show strong apprenticeship hiring intent at 37%, 30%, and 26%, respectively. Smaller firms are increasingly hiring freshers, though their capacity is limited compared to larger enterprises.
High-demand roles include IoT engineers, cloud engineers, process automation analysts, junior NLP developers, content marketing executives, and junior actuarial analysts. Key skills in demand are cyber security, data storytelling, prompt engineering, AI, machine learning, and performance marketing. Employers also value soft skills like communication, empathy, problem-solving, and digital fluency.
Shantanu Rooj, TeamLease EdTech’s founder, noted that e-commerce and tech start-ups’ growth creates exciting prospects for freshers. Those combining technical expertise with adaptability and human skills are well-positioned. The rise in apprenticeship programmes signals a shift towards practical, skill-based learning.
The report underscores India’s evolving job landscape, with technology and retail driving opportunities for young talent. Freshers equipped with relevant skills can seize these prospects in a competitive market.
