About 73% employers intend to hire freshers during January-June 2026, which is going to be 3% increase over the previous half year, according to a study conducted by TeamLease EdTech.
The study titled EdTech’s Career Outlook Report HY1 2026 further found that the rebound in hiring intent reflects steady entry-level demand across industries, alongside an evolving selection framework that places greater emphasis on demonstrable capability.
Sectoral demand is led by Retail (91%), ecommerce & technology startups (90%), and Manufacturing (85%). In Retail, the most in-demand roles include Dark Store Assistant and Inventory Management Assistant. E-commerce & Technology Start-ups are hiring for Digital Sales Associate and Junior Web Developer positions. In Manufacturing, demand is highest for Inventory & Logistics Coordinator and Battery Assembly Technician roles.
Commenting on the findings, Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO, TeamLease Edtech, said, “We are witnessing a structural reset in how early-career talent integrates into the workforce. Fresher hiring intent has risen to 73% this half-year, reflecting cautious but clear employer confidence in entry-level talent. Some sectors are demonstrating a spiking momentum – Retail hiring intent has jumped 50 percent points, from 41% in COR HY1 2025 to 91% in COR HY1 2026; Travel has surged 51 points, from 26% to 77%; and Power and Energy has risen 50 points, from 22% to 72% signaling a strong rebound in demand for young professionals. Yet, while opportunity is expanding, access is becoming more selective.”
The study further found that geographically, Bangalore leads fresher hiring intent at 84%, driven by Information Technology (81%), E-commerce & Technology Start-ups (90%), and Engineering & Infrastructure (61%), with high demand for 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 (91%), FMCG (80%), and Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals (52%), with strong demand for BIM Coordination Assistant (55%), Digital Sales Associate (58%), and Clinical Research Associate (45%). Together, these cities account for the majority of India’s entry-level hiring activity, offering freshers diverse opportunities across tech, operations, healthcare, and commerce sectors.
