India’s job market is showing strong signs of growth as the financial year ends. Despite global uncertainties, companies in India are still hiring actively, especially freshers and people with tech skills. A report by job portal Indeed shows that 82% of employers hired between January and March 2025, which is a 3% increase from the previous quarter.
As companies start preparing for the next financial year (FY26), fresh graduates have become a top hiring priority. About 53% of new hires last quarter were freshers. The most in-demand roles include software developers, data analysts, data scientists, and sales executives. Employers are especially looking for young talent with training in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, and software development. These skills are now essential for companies preparing for the future.
However, employers say there is still a gap between what freshers know and what the job requires. Around 38% of employers feel that freshers lack practical, job-ready experience. Others pointed out that many new employees are not well prepared in soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management. Also, 25% of employers mentioned that freshers often have salary expectations that don’t match what companies can offer.
Still, most employers believe freshers are a good long-term investment. They are now looking for candidates who are not only skilled but also flexible and eager to learn.
From the fresher’s side, there’s high interest in jobs but also tough competition. Many freshers are looking for higher salaries and are not willing to accept low pay, even if there are good learning opportunities. Employers say that 72% of them have increased fresher salaries, but the raise is small—usually around 5%.
Freshers are also struggling to stand out, as one job often sees 6 to 7 freshers applying. Employers offered an average salary of ₹3.5 lakh per year, close to the ₹3.8 lakh that most freshers expected. Around 58% of companies offered between ₹3 to ₹5 lakh packages.
For FY26, things look positive. Over 34% of employers plan to hire freshers from April to June 2025. The demand remains strong in technology-related fields like AI, data, and cybersecurity. Clear job details and salary transparency will help companies attract better talent in the coming months.