E-comm, tech start-ups lead fresher hiring with 88% intent in H2 2025

The e-commerce and technology start-ups sector is driving fresher hiring in India with an 88 per cent intent for the July-December 2025 period, according to the latest Career Outlook Report (HY2 2025) by TeamLease EdTech. However, overall, job prospects for fresh graduates are tightening in the second half of the year, with hiring intent slipping to 70 per cent, a 4 per cent drop from the first half. The shift is attributed to AI-led workforce restructuring, global trade uncertainties, and a strategic focus on retaining experienced talent in core industries, the report noted. 

  Top 5 sectors based on hiring intent 

Sector	Intent to Hire (%)
E-commerce & Technology Start-ups	88
Retail	87
Manufacturing	82
Fast Moving Consumer Goods	77
Information Technology, Travel & Hospitality	75

  Hiring intent based on experience 

Experience (Yrs)	January-June 2025	July-December 2025
0-1	74%	70%
1-5	69%	70%
6-10	40%	37%
11-15	2%	3%
15+	1%	2%

 

Top 5 cities to drive hiring

 

City	Intent to Hire (%)
Bangalore	81
Mumbai	67
Chennai	59
Hyderabad	54
Delhi	48

  Top 10 domain skills in demand for freshers 

1. Cyber Security
2. Sustainable Energy System
3. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
4. Business Analytics
5. Performance Marketing
6. Internet of Things
7. Genetic Engineering
8. Actuarial Science
9. Prompt Engineering
10. Data Storytelling