Jobs are back but degrees aren’t enough
OB Bureau
Employers across India are opening their doors to freshers — but with a clear filter. According to the TeamLease EdTech report, nearly 73% of employers plan to hire freshers between January and June 2026, a 3 per cent rise over the previous half-year. The report is based on responses from 1,051 employers surveyed between November 2025 and January 2026 across industries and cities.
The hiring momentum is strongest in retail (91%), followed by e-commerce and technology start-ups (90 per cent) and manufacturing (85%).
Retail companies are looking to fill roles such as Dark Store Assistant and Inventory Management Assistant. E-commerce and tech start-ups are hiring for Digital Sales Associate and Junior Web Developer positions. In manufacturing, demand is highest for Inventory and Logistics Coordinators and Battery Assembly Technicians.
And when it comes to cities, Bangalore is leading the fresher hiring race at 84%. The demand is driven by Information Technology (81%), e-commerce and technology start-ups (90%), and engineering and infrastructure (61%). The most sought-after roles include Software Testing Engineer (54%) and Digital Marketing Executive (48%).
The city also tops the list for degree apprenticeship hiring at 45%. Mumbai follows at 72%, powered by retail, FMCG, and healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Experts says the rise in hiring intent reflects “cautious but clear employer confidence” in entry-level talent.
“Retail alone has seen a dramatic jump from 41% in HY1 2025 to 91% in HY1 2026, a 50-percentage-point surge. Travel hiring has climbed from 26% to 77%, while Power and Energy has risen from 22% to 72%,” says TeamLease EdTech founder, CEO, Shantanu Rooj.
But while opportunity is expanding, access is becoming more selective. Rooj points out that freshers with internships, project portfolios and hands-on exposure are moving faster into growth tracks. Degree-only applicants, meanwhile, are facing longer job searches.
The bottom line? The jobs are there. But in 2026, employers want more than a certificate; they want capability.