A report by ManpowerGroup India, surveying 3,051 employees across India in October 2025, revealed that the Net Employment Outlook (NEO) was 52 per cent. The report showed a faster-than-expected growth rate of the Indian economy. This occurred due to favourable rainfall, which stimulated rural demand, lower oil prices, minimal impact from US tariffs, and reforms in the banking sector.
Indian employers look optimistic in their hiring sentiment for the next term
Efforts have begun to internalise the Indian rupee for cross-border trading, and it is expected to reduce dependence on the dollar in the long run. According to ABP Live, Sandeep Gulati, the managing director of ManpowerGroup India and the Middle East, mentioned, “India’s hiring outlook is not just strong—it is signalling a new phase of economic confidence and capability-building. What these trends truly reflect is India’s transition from volume-led hiring to value creation: organisations are investing in the skills, technologies, and talent architectures that will define their competitiveness over the next decade.” The report noted a demand in sectors such as finance, professional services, manufacturing, and real estate, indicative of “employers actively preparing for a more digital, regulated, and innovation-driven economy.” As we move into 2026, India will shape its talent market around three fundamentals: critical skills, technological leverage, and purposeful expansion."
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All nine sectors anticipate increasing staffing levels in Q1 2026
The report also noted that Indian employers are expected to increase their staffing levels in Q1 2026 across all nine sectors. Approximately 63 per cent of employers anticipate an increase in hiring, while 24 per cent expect to maintain current staffing levels, 11 per cent anticipate a decrease, and 2 per cent remain unsure. There was a positive outlook last year, but the hiring volumes have declined.
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A company’s total workforce can be expected to increase by 65 workers in Q1 2026. It is a 60 per cent drop since the report started the tracking procedure in Q2 2025, when the figure was estimated at around 162.
