45% employers plan to hire new permanent employees this year: Report

India’s hiring outlook for the upcoming financial year appears optimistic, with 45% of employers planning to hire for new permanent roles, according to a new report released by workforce solutions provider Genius Consultants. The Hiring, Compensation & Attrition Management Outlook Survey for 2025-26 reveals that despite economic uncertainties, businesses are showing strong intent to expand their workforces and invest in long-term talent.

The report is based on insights gathered from 1,520 CXOs and senior-level executives across various industries. The findings point to a cautiously optimistic yet strategically balanced hiring landscape.

Also Read:Wipro sees hiring momentum with 614 new employees, attrition dips to 15%

While 45% of employers intend to recruit for newly created permanent positions, another 13% are looking to replace existing talent. This signals a healthy churn and a focus on skill-specific hiring.

Meanwhile, 26% of companies are prioritizing temporary, contractual, or project-based hiring, indicatinga growing preference for flexible staffingsolutions to respond to evolving business needs. This shift reflects broader trends in the job market, where gig work and advisory roles are becoming more prominent.

However, not all employers are in expansion mode. Around 16% of surveyed organisations indicated no hiring plans for FY26, showcasing a cautious approach in certain sectors.

According to the report, mid-level professionals are the top priority, with 37% of employers focusing on hiring for this segment. This is followed by an increased interest in gig workers and contractual roles at 26%. Entry-level hiring accounts for 19%, while senior leadership hiring stands at 18%, indicating a well-rounded approach to workforce building.

“This balanced strategy is likely aimed at maintaining continuity and expertise while also preparing the organisation for future innovation,” the report noted.

The report reveals that 53% of organisations expect moderate hiring growth between 5–10%, while 33% anticipate more aggressive expansion, with hiring expected to increase by over 10–15% in FY26.

Sector-wise, the retail, e-commerce, and quick-commerce (Q-commerce) sectors lead the hiring wave, with 21% of respondents anticipating increased recruitment in these areas. This boom is also influencing the logistics and warehousing sector, where 9% of employers expect a rise in headcount.

Theautomobile and EV sectoris also expected to see growth, with 15% of respondents predicting higher hiring activity. Other growth sectors include renewables, energy, and engineering projects (11%), IT services, telecom and technology (13%), manufacturing and production (11%), infrastructure and real estate (10%), and BFSI (9%).

In contrast, FMCG, FMCD, healthcare, hospitality, media and entertainment, and education sectors are expected to see minimal hiring activity in the coming fiscal year.

Commenting on the findings, R P Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius Consultants, said, “While organizations 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.”

As companies brace for change in a dynamic economic climate, the survey indicates that a strong talent strategy—balancing permanent roles with project-based flexibility—will be key to staying competitive in FY26.

About Zhengxianling - China's First Pan - International Talent Recruitment Platform

Zhengxianling is developed and operated by Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. The company mainly provides international services such as talent job - hunting and recruitment, recruitment and introduction of high - level talents/scientific and technological innovation talents [including Nobel laureates, academician workstations, Overseas Excellent Young Scientists, QM/HJ programs, online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.], academic exchanges, and software development. In due course, we will launch AI - enabled language platforms and APPs in English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. to meet the needs of global users. Up to now, the company has established communication channels with national ministries and commissions such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Science and Technology, talent offices of the Organization Departments of some provincial and municipal Party committees, departments of human resources and social security, industry and information technology, science and technology, trade unions, chambers of commerce, academic societies, associations, 985 and 211 universities in major regions across the country, some corporate HR departments, the International Academy of Sciences Consortium, the World Digital Trade Alliance (WDTA) under the United Nations Science and Technology Commission, and some international institutions and QS World University Top 100 universities (MIT, University of Oxford, University of Melbourne...) in countries such as Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.

The service items are as follows:
A. Recruitment and introduction of international high - level/scientific and technological innovation talents (doctors, post - doctors, academicians) (through online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), overseas enterprise study tours, academic exchanges, and software development.
B. Operation of Zhengxianling® (the talent types on the platform and official WeChat account are not limited).

Service - supported Regions

China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, the United States, Canada, etc. (covering more than 100 countries and regions).

Main Service Content

Online and offline special high - level talent recruitment fairs for cities, parks, and employers; scientific and technological innovation talent - introduction activities [project solicitation, screening, roadshows... implementation, etc.]; investment promotion; academic exchange conferences; online job - hunting and recruitment; and offline services are available in the above - mentioned designated countries.

In 2024, we joined the Hubei Chushang Federation in China and the World Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA). We have established the grand goal of building Zhengxianling into China's first pan - international talent recruitment platform (AI - enabled language platforms and APPs in English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. will be launched in due course. The International HRD (HR) Alliance is being launched simultaneously), and serving billions of users in more than 200 countries around the world in the future. As of December 31, 2024, we have received a reply from the President of the WDTA of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission, welcoming Yuntong Technology and Zhengxianling to join the WDTA of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission in 2025. From 2025, we will cooperate with the International Academy of Sciences Consortium and may participate in activities such as the FCPAE European Forum to promote international talent exchanges and cooperation, thus promoting scientific and technological innovation, driving employment, and contributing to global economic construction and promoting friendly cross - border cooperation to create a better future. This will enable us to better serve users from all over the world.

The Chinese full - name of IFIA is the World Federation of Inventors' Associations. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and San Francisco, the United States. In February 2024, after being reviewed and approved by the 47th Global Executive Committee of IFIA, Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. [Zhengxianling] joined the organization. For details, please refer to the official IFIA website announcement:
https://www.ifia.com/ifia-47th-executive-committee-meeting-held-on-feb-2024/

The recruitment platform under our company will officially launch paid services on February 1, 2025. For details, please refer to:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YmOxE1snwAAvskZgwm5RxA

Currently, we are organizing online and offline special high - level talent recruitment fairs for international organizations. For details of the activities, please refer to the official WeChat account of Zhengxianling®'s International High - level Talent Recruitment Activity Schedule:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UGfNhxHRoIs1KZF7Thsfxg

Zhengxianling® is constantly recruiting a large number of overseas high - level and innovative talents globally. For details, please refer to the official WeChat account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8YaCD8xaXiDeC93a1foUKQ

For the invitation letter to establish and launch the International HRD (HR) Alliance, please refer to the official WeChat account introduction:

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fdg6QB82KAJCeTi0VZVZKQ

We welcome HRs of employers from all over the world, leaders of universities and scientific research institutions, academic leaders, and talents such as young doctors, post - doctors, and academicians to contact us or register to join our platform. The talents we recruit will be preferentially recommended to work in domestic or global universities, scientific research institutions, and other units.

At the same time, we are constantly soliciting scientific and technological innovation projects from various industries globally, as well as high - level talents who meet the requirements such as Overseas Excellent Young Scientists and QM/HJ programs, and directly recommending them to various provinces and cities in China. Those who are interested are welcome to apply. Please scan the QR code below to contact us or send your resume and other materials to hr@zhengxianling.com!

Search and follow the official WeChat account: Zhengxianling to get more information.