New Delhi, Oct 15 (NationPress) Over half of the employers in India, specifically 56%, are planning to increase their workforce during the second half of the current financial year (H2 FY26), as reported on Wednesday. Meanwhile, 27% of employers are aiming for stability, while 17% anticipate workforce rationalisation.

The majority of the hiring activity is being driven by large enterprises, whereas medium and small firms are adopting a more cautious, return-first strategy.

"With India’s economy maintaining a strong growth path, propelled by a 7.8% GDP growth in Q1 FY2025-26 and GST reforms, employers are aligning their workforce strategies with real business results, milestone achievements, and seasonal demands," stated TeamLease Services, a prominent staffing firm, in their report.

Leading sectors in this employment growth include e-commerce and tech startups, logistics, and retail, with projected Net Employment Changes (NECs) of 11.3%, 10.8%, and 8.1% respectively. This information is drawn from a survey involving 1,251 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities, conducted from June to August.

Furthermore, industries such as automotive, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure are also experiencing steady growth, backed by policy incentives like PLI and EMPS, localisation efforts, and robust domestic consumption.

These sectors illustrate the resilience and adaptability of India’s job market, with technology, consumption, and infrastructure investment consistently driving workforce demand, as noted in the report.

“India’s workforce is entering a transformative stage where traditional hiring methods are being replaced with targeted, skill-oriented strategies. According to our findings, 61% of employers are implementing selective, performance-based tactics for entry-level positions. By integrating capability-led, performance-linked practices, companies can effectively address present business needs while creating a resilient and future-ready workforce,” explained Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President at TeamLease Services.

Additionally, the government’s initiative towards formalisation through schemes like the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) shows promise, with 53% of employers being aware of it and 64% rating skill development support as its most valuable aspect.

Critical skills such as communication, basic computer skills, and critical thinking have emerged as the most sought-after abilities, highlighted by 89%, 81%, and 78% of employers, respectively. These skills are now deemed essential for maintaining productivity in hybrid and cross-functional teams.

The shift in workforce dynamics is also notable across various locations, with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai leading in hiring intentions due to their concentration of technology, manufacturing, and service sectors, the report emphasised.