New Delhi, June 9: A recent report indicates that 60% of employers in India plan to make new hires in the third quarter of 2026 (July-September), while 29% intend to maintain their current staffing levels. This information was released in a report on Tuesday.
According to the ManpowerGroup report, the net employment outlook (NEO) for the July-September period stands at 48%, the highest globally.
The report further states that 11% of employers plan to cut jobs during the review period, while 1% remain uncertain about their hiring plans.
Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director of ManpowerGroup India and the Middle East, stated, “India’s hiring outlook for the third quarter of 2026 remains the strongest worldwide. This demonstrates that despite challenging business conditions, investor confidence in the country’s growth trajectory persists.”
He added that the decrease compared to the previous quarter reflects a more cautious and thoughtful approach to hiring rather than a decline in business confidence.
Gulati noted that robust activity in the manufacturing and services sectors, along with the continuous expansion of global capability centers, is sustaining job demand.
However, employers are facing challenges such as AI-based workforce optimization, decreased demand for entry-level hiring, global trade uncertainties, and geopolitical events that are impacting supply chains and business costs.
Sector-wise, the survey revealed that hiring expectations weakened in eight out of nine sectors on a quarterly basis. The trade and logistics sector experienced the most significant decline in hiring expectations, followed by the public sector, health and social services, and the information sector.
The hospitality sector was the only one to show an improvement in hiring expectations compared to the previous quarter.
The report identified communication and collaboration skills as the most essential capabilities, followed by problem-solving, time management, and strong work ethics.
According to the report, over 84% of employers are willing to pay more for AI-related skills, which include AI model and application development as well as AI literacy.