E-commerce and tech start-ups push fresher hiring intent to 88% in H2 2025

E-commerce and technology start-ups are driving fresher hiring in India for the second half of 2025, with 88% of employers in these sectors expressing intent to recruit fresh graduates. The figure comes from the Career Outlook Report (HY2 2025) released by TeamLease EdTech. 

The survey, conducted between May and July 2025 among 1,065 employers, also showed that Retail (87%) and Manufacturing (82%) remain strong contributors to entry-level hiring demand.

At the city level, Bengaluru continues to lead with 81% hiring intent for freshers, followed by Mumbai (67%) and Chennai (59%). 

Despite robust numbers in innovation-driven sectors, overall fresher hiring intent for July–December 2025 slipped to 70%, down from 74% in the January–June period. This marks a four-percentage-point decline.

The report attributed the fall to three primary factors:

• AI-driven workforce restructuring,
  
  

• Global trade uncertainties, and
  
  

• A greater emphasis on retaining experienced talent in critical sectors.
  
  

This softening reflects the cautious stance companies are taking in the face of both domestic and international uncertainties, even as demand in digital industries remains elevated.

Another key highlight of the TeamLease EdTech report was the growing popularity of degree apprenticeships as a pathway for first-time job seekers.

• Manufacturing leads with 37% apprenticeship intent,
  
  

• Engineering and Infrastructure stands at 29%, and
  
  

• Information Technology at 18%.
  
  

Cities leading this trend include Bengaluru (37%), Chennai (30%), and Pune (26%).

According to Shantanu Rooj, Founder & CEO of TeamLease EdTech, quoted in Business Standard, “The strong hiring intent in e-commerce and technology start-ups reflects the dynamic growth in this sector, creating exciting opportunities for freshers. As industries evolve with technology, freshers who blend technical expertise with adaptability and human skills will find themselves well-positioned. The rise in degree apprenticeship programmes further underscores the demand for practical, skill-based learning pathways.”

The most in-demand domain skills for freshers are in cyber security, data storytelling, prompt engineering, sustainable energy systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things, actuarial science, genetic engineering, business analytics, and performance marketing.

In addition, soft skills continue to be a differentiator in fresher hiring. Employers emphasise communication, empathy, ethical judgement, active listening, problem-solving, collaboration, resilience, digital fluency, adaptive learning mindset, and time management.