45% of employers are planning on hiring for new permanent positions in the financial year 2025-2026, as per Genius Consultants. In its Hiring, Compensation and Attrition Management Outlook Survey for 2025-26, the company added that 13% of employers are planning on replacing their existing employees instead.
The report also highlighted that 26% of employers have started to prioritise flexible staffing by focusing on temporary, contractual, or project-based hiring. The high number of employers who have become open to such flexible options is an indication of the growth of the gig culture in India as well as companies adapting their talent acquisition operations as per business needs and market trends. Among the interviewed employers, 16% indicated that they did not have any hiring plans, indicating a cautious mindset.
Delving specifically into the focus of future hiring, 37% stated that they aim to hire mid-level professionals, while 19% will focus on entry-level roles. 18% of the companies will instead focus on recruiting for senior leadership positions.
As per their plans and market trends, 53% of the participating employers estimate a hiring growth between 5-10%, while 33% are hoping for a 10-15% growth and possibly even more.
According to 21% of the participants, the retail, e-commerce and quick-commerce sectors are expected to see the highest manpower growth. This, as per 9% of the survey participants, will also boost hiring in the logistics and warehousing sectors.
15% of employers expect increased hiring in the automobile and EV sector, while 11% foresee a rise in workforce in renewables, energy and engineering projects. Other industries which are expected to increase in workforce size include IT Services, telecom and technology (13%), manufacturing, engineering and production (11%), infrastructure, transport and real estate (10%), and BSFI (9%).
In contrast, the FMCG and FMCD, healthcare, hospitality, media and entertainment areas are not expected to see much increase in 2025-2026.
R P Yadav, the Chairman and Managing Director, added his own thoughts, stating, “While organisations are navigating economic uncertainties, the demand for skilled talent remains strong. With mid-senior professionals in high demand, businesses must focus on retention strategies to mitigate attrition risks. These insights will help corporates adapt their talent management approach effectively for 2025-26.”
For the Hiring, Compensation and Attrition Management Outlook Survey for 2025-26, Genius Consultants gathered insights from 1,520 CXOs and senior-level dignitaries from companies across various sectors.