Indian employers reported stronger hiring plans for the March quarter after a new ManpowerGroup survey released in Bengaluru showed higher intent to add workers. The update, published for 3,051 companies, matters as overall hiring volumes continue to drop across large enterprises.
What changed in hiring trends
New data from the Employment Outlook Survey shows that 63% of employers expect to increase hiring in the March quarter. Around 11% indicate no hiring expansion or no plans to replace outgoing staff. India’s net employment outlook now stands at 52%, based on the gap between expected additions and reductions.
This outlook ranks second globally and remains 28 percentage points higher than the global average. Hiring expectations are also 12 points stronger than January–March 2025 and 11 points above the previous quarter.
Impact on companies and sectors
Although hiring intent is improving, the size of additions per company has fallen. Employers expect their total workforce to grow by 65 workers, down from 162 workers recorded when Manpower began tracking the metric in April–June 2025. The decline is concentrated among firms with 1,000–4,999 employees.
Finance and insurance lead hiring with 61% positive intent, followed by professional, scientific and technical services at 57%. Construction and real estate report 54%, while manufacturing stands at 53%.
How employers are approaching hiring
ManpowerGroup India and Middle East managing director Sandeep Gulati said the shift reflects companies building long-term talent systems. He told the survey team that firms are moving “from volume-led hiring to value creation” by prioritizing skills, technology and updated workforce models.
He also noted that the slowdown in intensity, especially among large enterprises, reflects strategy rather than caution, as companies combine permanent, specialist and flexible roles.
Supporting data and market context
Survey respondents cited company expansions (43%) and technological upgrades (38%) as the main reasons for increasing headcount. Meanwhile, automation (42%) continues to drive expected reductions.
Economists told ET that GST cuts during the festive season and recent monetary easing lifted business sentiment. Credit growth is stabilizing for banks and NBFCs, while demand for insurance may improve due to tax changes. Growth in global capability centres (GCCs) is also pushing demand in professional and technical fields.
The North region recorded the strongest hiring outlook at 59%, a rise of 14 percentage points from the December quarter. The survey indicates that momentum will remain shaped by sectoral needs, company expansion plans and ongoing investments in technology. Employers will continue to calibrate hiring volumes while maintaining demand for high-impact roles across key industries
