India Inc Set for Hiring Surge in 2025, with Focus on AI and New Technologies

A Buzzy 2025 for Job Seekers as Hiring Set to Rise

India Inc is likely to accelerate its headcount expansion in the coming year with most of the hiring focused on new technologies like AI and data analytics, besides sustainability and diversifying talent.India Inc is likely to accelerate its headcount expansion in the coming year with most of the hiring focused on new technologies like AI and data analytics, besides sustainability and diversifying talent. Executives at firms like Colgate-Palmolive, DS Group, KPMG, Deloitte, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra and Meesho are updeat on 2025. For most of these companies, overall hiring is likely to surpass the current year's levels, while for others, it will be in line with 2024. Companies are also likely to focus on upskilling the existing workforce. According to CIEL HR's hiring analysis of all sectors, shared exclusively with ET, 2025 will mark at least a 10% increase in jobs compared to the current year. "The highest number of jobs will be added in sectors like semiconductor, startups, cybersecurity, renewable energy, AI and GCCs," said chief executive officer Aditya Mishra. FMCG conglomerate DS Group is looking to grow its headcount next year to support new product launches and expansion plans. Colgate-Palmolive will also be growing its workforce in India, which it considers a "strategic priority" market. IT services company Tech Mahindra and e-commerce firm Meesho are looking at fresh recruitments through the campus route. "The global organisation is looking to seriously grow the India business," said Balaji Sreenivasan, EVP HR, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. Simin Askari, senior vice president, human resources & business excellence, DS Group, said: "With new product launches and expansion plans across verticals on the horizon, we are gearing up to bolster our teams across key areas." Chief human resources officer Ashish Kumar Singh said Meesho hired in 2024 to drive rapid growth. It now has 1,700 employees including 500 women, he said. Seesho is looking to continue this trajectory next year at the same pace by attracting a diverse pool of young professionals from leading institutions across the country, he added. "Campus hiring efforts have scaled significantly, with an intake nearly three times higher than the previous year, reaffirming our commitment to building a robust and future-ready talent pipeline." Tech Mahindra plans to hire about 5,000 people from engineering campuses this year, said chief people officer Richard Lobo. He said it will undertake its campus hiring in phases. "We are looking at pivoting more on new-age skills like AI, ML, data analytics, etc." For 2025, KPMG is looking to hire aggressively too. "This is on the back of strong demand across all our businesses. We will remain focused on attracting top talent with diverse backgrounds and expertise," Reena Wahi, partner and head of people, performance & culture at KPMG in India, said. The firm is looking at recruiting talent in in-demand skills like data science/analytics, Cloud, AI/ML, IoT, ESG, digital transformation, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and women re-entering the workforce. Tata Steel is looking at building a talent pipeline from within, besides hiring externally. "Our primary focus is to build a future workforce that is not only skilled but also adaptive, innovative, and geared towards future growth and expansion," said a spokesperson.

India Inc to boost hiring by at least 10% next year vs 2024, estimates CIEL HR

NEW DELHI: India Inc is likely to accelerate its headcount expansion in the coming year with most of the hiring focused on new technologies like AI and data analytics, besides sustainability and diversifying talent. Executives at firms like Colgate-Palmolive, DS Group, KPMG, Deloitte, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra and Meesho are updeat on 2025. For most of these companies, overall hiring is likely to surpass the current year's levels, while for others, it will be in line with 2024. Companies are also likely to focus on upskilling the existing workforce. According to CIEL HR's hiring analysis of all sectors, shared exclusively with ET, 2025 will mark at least a 10% increase in jobs compared to the current year. "The highest number of jobs will be added in sectors like semiconductor, startups, cybersecurity, renewable energy, AI and GCCs," said chief executive officer Aditya Mishra. FMCG conglomerate DS Group is looking to grow its headcount next year to support new product launches and expansion plans. Colgate-Palmolive will also be growing its workforce in India, which it considers a "strategic priority" market. IT services company Tech Mahindra and e-commerce firm Meesho are looking at fresh recruitments through the campus route. "The global organisation is looking to seriously grow the India business," said Balaji Sreenivasan, EVP HR, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. Simin Askari, senior vice president, human resources & business excellence, DS Group, said: "With new product launches and expansion plans across verticals on the horizon, we are gearing up to bolster our teams across key areas." Building a Talent Pipeline Chief human resources officer Ashish Kumar Singh said Meesho hired in 2024 to drive rapid growth. It now has 1,700 employees including 500 women, he said. Seesho is looking to continue this trajectory next year at the same pace by attracting a diverse pool of young professionals from leading institutions across the country, he added. "Campus hiring efforts have scaled significantly, with an intake nearly three times higher than the previous year, reaffirming our commitment to building a robust and future-ready talent pipeline." Tech Mahindra plans to hire about 5,000 people from engineering campuses this year, said chief people officer Richard Lobo. He said it will undertake its campus hiring in phases. "We are looking at pivoting more on new-age skills like AI, ML, data analytics, etc." For 2025, KPMG is looking to hire aggressively too. "This is on the back of strong demand across all our businesses. We will remain focused on attracting top talent with diverse backgrounds and expertise," Reena Wahi, partner and head of people, performance & culture at KPMG in India, said. The firm is looking at recruiting talent in in-demand skills like data science/analytics, Cloud, AI/ML, IoT, ESG, digital transformation, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and women re-entering the workforce. Tata Steel is looking at building a talent pipeline from within, besides hiring externally. "Our primary focus is to build a future workforce that is not only skilled but also adaptive, innovative, and geared towards future growth and expansion," said a spokesperson.