India continues to demonstrate strong global standing in employment prospects. Indian employers are set to ease hiring in October–December 2025, even as recruitment sentiment shows marked improvement from 2024, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
Latest market analysis predicts Indian employers are expected to slightly reduce hiring in the upcoming months, although recruitment sentiment remains significantly stronger than last year. The net employment outlook (NEO) is driven by expansion plans and demand for tech skills, as per the experts. India maintains a strong global hiring outlook, particularly in the energy, finance, and information and technology (IT) sectors.
India’s hiring outlook in 2025
For the period of October to December, India ranked second among 42 countries for hiring intent by employers, according to the ManpowerGroup employment outlook survey. It is important to note that the survey divides 2025 into four quarters based on the calendar year, not the fiscal year. The quarters are classified as follows:
- Q1: January to March
- Q2: April to June
- Q3: July to September
- Q4: October to December
Key takeaways
- India remains a global leader in hiring intent, ranking second among 42 countries despite a slight quarterly dip in sentiment.
- High-growth industries—such as energy and utilities, financial services, real estate, IT, and communication services—are driving the demand for talent.
- Traditional employment sectors like agriculture and construction continue to provide large-scale jobs, but hiring momentum remains steady rather than accelerating.
- The gig economy and e-commerce platforms are reshaping employment patterns, offering structured career growth and boosting disposable incomes for young workers.
- Hiring momentum is closely tied to domestic consumption, which remains the backbone of India’s economy, contributing over 60 percent to GDP.