India’s job market is showing signs of a robust recovery, with hiring intentions returning to double-digit growth for 2026. According to the India Decoding Jobs 2026 report, released by digital recruitment platform Taggd in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), companies are projecting an 11 per cent increase in hiring—up from 9.75 per cent last year—after a period of muted single-digit growth.
The report identifies sectors such as banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, and infrastructure as the key drivers of this renewed recruitment momentum. Devashish Sharma, Co-Founder and CEO of Taggd, described the shift as a “move from recovery to reinvention,” attributing it to digital acceleration, formalisation of the workforce, and regional expansion.
Insights from over 300 talent leaders across 21 industries reveal that artificial intelligence is becoming central to recruitment processes. Sixty per cent of recruiters now use AI for resume screening, while 45 per cent employ it for automating interviews. The demand for AI-related skills is rising across roles, making expertise in generative AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI/ML engineering critical for candidates.
The report also highlights a growing focus on experienced professionals. Companies are increasingly prioritising mid- to senior-level talent, particularly those with six to fifteen or more years of experience. Tier II cities are emerging as important hiring hubs, accounting for 32 per cent of projected jobs in 2026. This shift reflects organisations’ efforts to tap into new talent pools and achieve cost efficiencies, particularly in global capability centres (GCCs).
On gender diversity, the report notes that female hiring is expected to remain at 30 per cent in FY 2026-27, unchanged from 2025 but below the 36 per cent recorded in 2024.
With digital tools and AI reshaping recruitment strategies, and regional expansion opening new opportunities, India’s employment landscape appears poised for a more structured and technology-driven growth phase.
Source – https://www.businessworld.in/article/india-s-job-market-hits-double-digit-growth-as-ai-skills-soar-report-579470