The Economic Times

Artificial intelligence is reshaping campus hiring as employers increasingly adopt it. Organizations are boosting recruitment budgets and strengthening internship programs for talent. AI integration is redefining campus readiness and driving demand for new skills. Critical roles in AI and technology are attracting higher compensation premiums. Gender diversity is now an explicit campus hiring goal for organizations.

MBA roles now offer substantially higher pay than engineering positions. This salary premium is projected to increase further in upcoming placement cycles. Companies increasingly value professionals who bridge technology and business understanding. Recruiters seek individuals translating technical skills into commercial outcomes. Hiring budgets are growing as firms compete for digitally adept talent.

New Delhi: Indias month-on-month job postings rose 1.2% in July, ending three consecutive months of decline in March, April and June, while postings were up 8.3% year on year, according to an Indeed report.The report said while postings have been volatile recently, hiring intensity across India remains elevated, with postings still 84% above pre-pandemic levels.Indian job postings staged a modest recovery in July, ending three consecutive months of decline, Callam Pickering, senior economist, In

AI penetration in Indias Retail GCCs more than doubled to 4.8% in 2025 and could reach 10.6% by 2028, TeamLease Digital said. But senior talent remains scarce, with only 320 AI professionals having eight-plus years of experience. Bengaluru alone accounts for 185 of them.

Companies employing lower-paid and gig workers are facing higher labour costs after more than 15 states raised minimum wages since April, adding pressure ahead of the festive season.

More than half of Global Capability Centres in India plan increased hiring next fiscal year. Hiring confidence has improved from the previous year's survey results. Companies face challenges finding quality talent and managing compensation increases. About 1.5 lakh new roles are projected to be generated in the coming fiscal year. Demand for artificial intelligence-related skills is also significantly shifting recruitment focus.

The UPSC has invited applications for 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner posts in the Employees Provident Fund Organisation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Eligible candidates can apply online from August 22 to September 11, 2026. The vacancies include 28 unreserved, 18 OBC, 15 SC, 15 ST and eight EWS posts, along with three positions reserved for candidates with benchmark disabilities.

Trumps outreach to North Korea is unsettling US allies across Asia, with Japan, Taiwan and India reassessing Washingtons security commitments. His decision to cut military exercises with South Korea, hold up Taiwan arms sales and pressure allies on defence spending has deepened concerns over his transactional approach and regional strategy.

Temporary hiring for festivals is now expanding beyond major Indian cities. Tier II and Tier III markets are experiencing faster growth in seasonal employment opportunities. E-commerce and organised retail are driving this significant shift in hiring patterns. Companies are increasingly focusing on these smaller cities for their fulfillment needs.

The Supreme Court on Friday cut the mandatory legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service exams from three years to one year, providing relief to law graduates.

Cognizant has hired 489 graduates from 58 B-schools across 37 cities, with over 37% coming from non-STEM backgrounds and more than 42% being women. The new recruits will undergo a two-week Talent Accelerator programme covering business skills, sales, marketing and AI-related work as Cognizant expands its talent pool beyond engineering backgrounds.

BorderPlus plans to send fifty thousand Indian caregivers to Japan. This initiative addresses Japan's severe worker shortage due to its aging population. Training combines Japanese language, medical skills, and cultural understanding for workers. The program targets geriatric care and general duty assistant roles. This move highlights growing international workforce mobility needs.

Global capability centres are rapidly increasing hiring for specialized and mid-career professionals. Technology and innovation are now key drivers for these centres' expansion. Experienced talent is increasingly sought after for immediate contributions to transformation programs. Contractual roles now form a significant portion of the global capability centre workforce.

The National Testing Agency removed over fifty staff members following examination errors. A major overhaul of its examination system is now underway. Professionals are being hired for key roles in test security and technology. Re-tests for three UGC-NET papers will be conducted in September. Opposition parties and student groups have criticized the agency's recent decisions.

The announcement came hours after NTA published answer keys for UGC-NET June 2026 exam and days after several students flagged discrepancies and errors in question papers, as well as repeated questions from exams held recently.

Gen Z employees now expect workplace freedom and greater career control. Companies are adapting by offering flexible work and internal mobility options. Younger workers prioritise work-life balance over formal leadership titles. Organisations are focusing on enabling individual capabilities and clear growth paths.

Job postings in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are growing faster than in tier-1 markets. Emerging cities like Guwahati and Varanasi are leading this significant employment growth momentum. Gen Z actively participates in job applications, especially within tier-2 employment markets. Demand for AI skills is rapidly increasing across various mainstream job roles.

Companies are strengthening campus partnerships to develop essential future workforce skills. These collaborations focus on AI, machine learning, and data science capabilities. Organizations are establishing labs and co-designing courses with academic institutions. Live projects and specialized academies provide practical industry exposure to students. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs.

Searches for staffing agencies and manpower consultancies have seen significant growth across India. Bengaluru and Chennai recorded the highest increases in demand for flexible hiring solutions. Businesses are adapting to changing market conditions and project timelines with agile recruitment strategies. Professionals are also embracing contract and temporary roles for quicker employment access.

A leading heart surgeon reveals five essential habits to avert heart attacks. Key practices include steering clear of smoking, regulating high blood pressure, and keeping cholesterol levels in check. Additionally, reducing sugar consumption is crucial for avoiding insulin resistance and stabilizing blood sugar. Building strong social ties fights loneliness, a serious risk for heart health. Adhering to these guidelines greatly enhances one's heart health prospects.

In India, a majority of learners utilize artificial intelligence tools in their daily lives. Nonetheless, the journey towards creating AI-driven solutions is still in its infancy for many. As a result, enhancing AI skills has become an essential aspect of career development. Students frequently encounter obstacles in improving their AI knowledge and locating trustworthy resources. This pattern is evident across various city tiers throughout the country.

In a remarkable turn of events, seven miners in Panna unearthed a stunning 16.96-carat diamond that is projected to yield over fifty lakh rupees at an upcoming auction. This discovery not only symbolizes immense potential for wealth but also brings hope for improving their lives. Three of the workers are particularly excited, as they plan to use their earnings for marriage and family aspirations.

A parliamentary panel noted a significant placement gap in the DDU-GKY scheme. Trained rural youth face employment challenges and inadequate post-placement salaries. The report highlighted concerns about high dropout rates and distress migration. It recommended improved placement tracking and enhanced migration assistance for beneficiaries.

The North American Punjabi Association has requested detailed reports from Punjab's Chief Minister. They seek verifiable data on the government's progress in combating drug abuse. The association also demands transparency regarding job creation for unemployed youth. NAPA wants specific figures on drug seizures and rehabilitation efforts. They also require year-wise data on employment opportunities and vacancies filled.

Temporary festive hiring is expected to grow15-20%across retail, ecommerce, quick commerce, logistics, FMCG and consumer durables, TeamLease said. Hiring is shifting towards specialised frontline roles. Ecommerce, quick commerce and logistics will see strong demand, while frontline salaries may rise8-10%in H2 2026. Tier-1 cities are expected to account for 40.5% of festive jobs.

India's IT-BPM sector anticipates a significant hiring slowdown in early FY27. Net workforce additions are projected to fall over twenty-six percent compared to last year. Companies are focusing on AI-driven productivity and flexible talent models. Global capability centers will see reduced hiring, while other segments also face declines. Macroeconomic uncertainty and regional conflicts contribute to tighter cost controls.

Three in four companies intend to hire freshers in the second half of the year, even as IT, consulting, telecom, media & entertainment and educational services scale back plans amid a more selective entry-level hiring market.

In response to the increasing complexity of cyber threats, companies are ramping up their recruitment efforts in cybersecurity. There is a heightened focus on acquiring specialized skills in cloud security and artificial intelligence, reflecting the urgent need for professionals in these areas. Over the past year, the demand for cybersecurity experts has surged, with businesses increasingly turning to automation and AI to streamline their security operations.

Artificial intelligence is creating more jobs than it is eliminating in India. This technology has resulted in a net positive employment impact for the nation. However, AI is disrupting traditional roles and reducing demand for entry-level workers. Companies are showing weaker demand for junior employees while senior roles remain stronger.

As the field of data science evolves, theres an increasing necessity for advanced technical skills. OP Jindal Universitys online MSc in AI and Data Science is designed to fulfill this demand. Spanning one year and consisting of 60 credits, this Master's program places a strong emphasis on mathematical, statistical, and machine learning principles, equipping graduates for challenging roles in enterprise analytics.

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Nandan Nilekani says large corporations may shed more jobs due to automation, while small enterprises will create new employment. India's future job growth will stem from millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs, he says.

Visakhapatnam is set to become a major digital infrastructure hub in India. Its growing data centre ecosystem will create nearly fifty-two thousand jobs. This expansion will also fuel demand for over two crore square feet of residential real estate. The development will attract investments in power, fibre, and logistics infrastructure. This growth is expected to reshape local economies and accelerate economic activity across the region.