Some statistics released on the occasion of International Youth Day have given a new dimension to the employment situation among youth. The latest hiring data shows that job opportunities for freshers are increasing, although the pace of recruitment varies across different sectors. This means that merely getting a job is not enough; it is also important to know where employment opportunities are actually being created for the youth. The latest job statistics related to new candidates in India indicate that companies' intention to recruit has increased in the second half of 2026 compared to the previous period.
According to TeamLease EdTech's July-December 2026 Career Outlook Report, 75 percent of employers surveyed across the country expressed a willingness to hire new candidates in the second half of 2026. This figure is higher than the 73 percent recorded in the first half. This report is based on responses received from 1,097 companies between May and July 2026. Overall, the job market for new candidates has improved somewhat, but the actual situation depends on the observation of different sectors.
In terms of recruiting new candidates, E-commerce and tech startups, along with the retail sector, are leading with 93% each. This is followed by manufacturing at 89%, FMCG at 86%, and travel & hospitality at 81%. According to the data, the intention to recruit new candidates in e-commerce and tech startups has risen from 90% in the first half to 93%. In retail, this rate increased from 91% to 93%, while in manufacturing, it rose from 85% to 89%. A notable increase was also seen in the FMCG sector, where the hiring intention grew from 80% to 86%. Meanwhile, in the travel and hospitality sector, this rate climbed from 77% to 81%.
The pace of hiring new candidates in the IT sector, which is the most preferred among youth, has slowed down slightly this time. According to the report, the willingness of IT companies to hire freshers is 76%, down from 81% in the first half of the year, marking a 5% decline. Similarly, the hiring intent in consulting dropped from 22% to 19%, in the education sector from 23% to 21%, in media and entertainment from 54% to 52%, in marketing and advertising from 62% to 59%, and in telecom from 64% to 61%.
The list of most in-demand jobs for new candidates indicates the direction in which company needs are changing. The top five jobs listed in the report include AI Application Developer, Junior Semiconductor Design Engineer, Data Center Operation Associate, Programmatic Advertising Associate, and Inventory & Dispatch Executive. Additionally, companies are looking for new candidates for positions such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Full-Stack Developer, Quick-Commerce Operation Executive, Digital Media Analyst, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Digital Marketing Executive, Data Research Analyst, Automation & Control Engineer, Supply Chain Planner, and GIS Analyst.
From a city perspective, Bengaluru has the highest intention to recruit new candidates at 89%. This is followed by Mumbai at 75% and Chennai at 71%. Hyderabad stands at 60%, Delhi at 49%, and Pune at 41%. According to the report, the intention to recruit new candidates has increased in the second half compared to the first half of 2026 in all these six major cities.
The report also states that companies no longer want to offer jobs based solely on degrees and academic qualifications. They are looking for youth who also possess essential job-related technical skills. These skills include full-stack engineering, cloud security, business analysis, health technology, machine learning, big data, digital marketing, and semiconductor design. Furthermore, companies are placing high importance on qualities like responsibility, attention to detail, logical thinking, dedication to work, and adaptability to changing environments in candidates.
