The new talent map: Strategies for attracting and retaining talent across India’s growth centres
By 2030, India’s working-age population is projected to surpass 1 billion, positioning the country as the foremost contributor to the global workforce. This seismic shift is more than a demographic footnote. India’s digital and financial services sectors are already experiencing a decentralisation of talent flows, driven by a confluence of digital infrastructure, educational democratisation, and shifting socio-economic conditions.
An insightful panel at the People Matters SurgeHR Chennai, including Rajesh Thirugnanamurthy, Country Head - Talent Management at Justdial, Captain Partha Samai, Vice President & Head Human Resources at Jio, and moderator Bala Vummidi, Vice President & Head HR at SRM Technologies, came together to decode the future of talent in India's rapidly shifting landscape.
From centralised hiring to distributed ecosystems
One of the more compelling takeaways from the panel was the extent to which organisations are recognising the strategic importance of tier 2 and tier 3 cities. What began as a tactical response to rising costs in urban hubs has evolved into a long-term recalibration.
Talent today is flourishing outside the traditional metro circuits, driven by expanding access to quality education and a surge in regional aspirations. Once viewed through a cost-efficiency lens, cities like Salem, Tirunelveli, and Indore are now strategic centres of untapped potential.
Digital skills, technical readiness, and entrepreneurial spirit are emerging from non-traditional markets and recruiters must build micro-ecosystems to support them. Organisations that fail to look beyond metros risk missing out on the skills that could future-proof their business.
Local execution for global EVP
The panel highlighted that employer value propositions (EVPs) must be localised. In tier 2 and 3 cities, stability, inclusivity, and language sensitivity rank higher than flashy perks like fancy onboarding experiences or high-end tech perks. For many candidates, questions like “Will my spouse find a job?” or “Is there a good school nearby?” outweigh traditional incentives like basic compensation, career growth, and flexibility.
Companies must adapt their EVPs to regional nuances. National brand recognition helps, but local trust wins. It’s about meeting candidates where they are, both literally and emotionally. It showcases long-term career pathways that don’t require a relocation to thrive.
Redefining ROI: From speed to sustainability
Gone are the days when talent acquisition KPIs stopped at time-to-hire. Today’s boardrooms are asking tougher questions: How fast can we convert hires into productive contributors? Are we hiring for adaptability? How do we de-risk our talent funnel?
The panel outlined how recruiters are now evaluated on metrics like first-month attrition and time-to-productivity. He also stressed the value of ecosystem thinking, building talent partnerships with academic institutions, upskilling platforms, and regional hubs. ROI, in this new map, is no longer linear. It’s layered: competency, agility, stability, and scalability.
Future bets: Building talent resilience from the ground up
Looking ahead, the panel proposed a few bold bets to future-proof talent strategies:
-
Invest in skill-first hiring: Move beyond degrees and pedigree. Prioritise practical skills, learning agility, and cultural fit.
-
Co-create with academia: Partner with educational institutions in emerging cities to design industry-ready curricula.
-
Establish micro-hubs: Build satellite offices in strategic growth centres to attract and retain local talent without forcing relocation.
This approach not only reduces attrition but also builds loyalty, increases diversity, and lays the foundation for long-term growth. The goal is to create a talent supply chain that’s sustainable, scalable, and deeply embedded in India’s broader socioeconomic fabric.
India as a global talent exporter: What’s next?
In five years, India’s talent story will be about setting benchmarks. As global demand for skilled professionals grows, particularly in areas like data science, cybersecurity, and fintech, India is poised to become a premier exporter of talent. But that will only happen if companies and HR leaders act boldly today.
The message is clear: talent is exponentially growing in every corner of the country. The organisations that recognise, respect, and respond to that reality will define the next era of growth.