Industry insiders said rapid expansion by hotel chains over the next five years is likely to create demand for 600-1,000 new general managers, or heads of hotels. Dilip Puri, founder and chairman of the Indian School of Hospitality, refers to it as the GM conundrum.

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has launched an upgraded 'mySSC app' enabling government job aspirants to complete the entire application process, including Aadhaar authentication, directly from their Android phones. This initiative, starting June 2025, aims to simplify the application process, especially for candidates in rural areas, by eliminating the need for intermediaries and enhancing accessibility.

A recent report highlights that talent retention is the biggest challenge for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, with 51% identifying it as a top concern. High talent mobility is driven by limited career growth, compensation gaps, and work-life balance issues. The churn is most acute among younger professionals seeking diverse experiences and rapid growth.

White-collar hiring in India remains strong, with steady MoM and notable YoY growth, led by sectors like consumer electronics (70% YoY) and logistics. Senior roles saw a 36% rise, with Mumbai topping city-wise growth. Diversity hiring surged 53% in two years, with women now forming 68% of such hires. Tier-2 cities are catching up, and demand stays high across experience levels.

After a stagnant 2024, campus hiring is showing signs of recovery with rising salary offers, particularly for MBAs and BTech graduates. The Deloitte report indicates median salaries are expected to increase, driven by pent-up demand and skill-based recruitment. Sectors like private equity and renewable energy are fueling this growth, with variable pay becoming a standard feature in compensation packages.

Despite engineers driving AI adoption in India, they express anxiety about its impact on their careers, contrasting with the optimism of MBA and B Com graduates. The rise in job switching is fueled by technological disruption, competition, and unmet salary expectations.

A Michael Page report reveals high job mobility in India, with 62% of professionals negotiating raises and 37% succeeding. Professionals prioritize purpose, ethics, and flexibility, driving proactive career management. While GenAI adoption is high, only 31% feel prepared, highlighting the need for structured training and clear communication from employers to retain talent.

India's green sector is poised for substantial growth, projecting 7.29 million jobs by FY28 and 35 million by 2047, driven by investments in renewable energy, EVs, and sustainable practices. While metros lead, tier II and III cities will host a significant portion of these jobs.

In May, the job landscape for white-collar professionals in India remained steady. The Naukri JobSpeak Index indicated a modest uptick, signaling positive trends. Roles in AI and machine learning surged, particularly in urban centers like Delhi NCR and Chennai. There was a strong demand for experienced professionals, especially within the oil and gas and real estate sectors.

In JEE (Advanced) 2025, 54378 candidates qualified, with Rajit Gupta topping the CRL. Devdutta Majhi secured the top rank among female candidates. IIT Hyderabad zone has the highest number of qualified candidates, while IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi zones lead in top 100 ranks. IIT Kanpur conducted the examination.

Sahaj Retail Ltd and Techno India Group have partnered to launch a blue-collar skilling initiative, aiming to train one lakh youth in rural and semi-urban areas across five states. The program, titled Sahaj-Techno Blue Collar Jobs, will focus on providing vocational skills aligned with industry needs, targeting unemployed, underemployed, and school dropout populations with affordable training and placement opportunities.

India faces a critical juncture with AI's rapid integration, balancing economic growth and potential job displacement. HR leaders must champion responsible AI adoption, focusing on human skills like judgment and empathy alongside technological advancements. Prioritising reskilling, ethical AI usage, and corporate-academia partnerships is crucial to harness India's demographic dividend and build a human-centric future.

Fresh graduates from India's top colleges face a tough placement season as major recruiters significantly reduce intake due to global economic headwinds and evolving industry needs. Companies cite recessionary trends, AI disruptions, and a preference for experienced candidates, leading to delayed offers and increased uncertainty for students. Colleges are adapting curricula to better prepare students for specialized roles.

Indian executives are increasingly prioritizing well-being by integrating physical activity into their workday. From walking meetings to exercise snacking, leaders are finding creative ways to stay fit amidst demanding schedules. Companies are embedding wellness into their culture, promoting movement breaks and prioritizing employee health, recognizing its positive impact on decision-making and overall performance.

IT CEOs have indicated that AI-led productivity is changing the business model, with revenue growth and headcount growth being de-linked. The last couple of years, we have been challenging our teams on how you can deliver twice the revenue and half of the people, said HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar in February.

Despite recent layoffs impacting software engineers, Microsoft's Aparna Chennapragada insists coding remains vital. She views AI as an evolution, not a replacement, suggesting engineers will transition into software operators. While AI automates tasks, particularly in idea generation, project management roles may shift towards taste-making and editing, reflecting Microsoft's investment in AI infrastructure.

HUL Managing Director Rohit Jawa's remuneration increased by 3.75% to Rs 23.23 crore in FY25, 146.47 times the median employee remuneration. The company's annual report highlighted an 8.46% decrease in permanent employees, with 6,604 on the rolls. HUL divested its water business, Pureit, and decided to demerge its ice cream business amidst a challenging operating environment and evolving consumer landscape.

India's employment market anticipates a workforce expansion of 2.8% in the first half of FY26, a decrease from the previous period's 7.1%. Economic factors are driving companies to prioritize cost efficiency and skills-based growth. Flexi-staffing and the gig economy are gaining traction, with automotive, EV, e-commerce, and tech startups leading workforce growth.

The UPSC has introduced a new application portal effective May 28, 2025, streamlining the registration and application process for its various examinations. This portal replaces the old OTR module and features a universal registration system to save applicants time.

The field of product management is evolving due to AI, complex customer needs, and rapidly changing business environments. This transformative programme by Indias premier B-school will prepare every product manager for future success.

What will distinguish leaders of tomorrow is not their awareness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) but a foundational knowledge to ask questions of AI systems, deploy them strategically, and weigh in on the ethical ramifications. An online Leadership with AI programme, which integrates GenAI and Agentic AI, could be a step forward in the AI-led leadership race.

As Generative AI tools transform the marketing landscape, businesses must reimagine how they engage audiences across digital platforms. Heres how ISBs Online Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing equips professionals to lead in this new paradigm.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) are upending product management as we know it. From ideation and automating behavioural data to iteration and changing team dynamics, heres how the emerging technologies are changing the scope of this field, and what you can do to stay ahead of the curve.

India's booming electronics manufacturing sector, a Make-in-India success, faces a critical manpower shortage across all levels, especially in the AI-driven smartphone industry. A projected 10 million skill gap looms by FY28, driven by technology adoption and the end of PLI benefits.

A new survey reveals a significant disparity in mental health consultations. Women in corporate India are three times more likely than men to seek support. The report by ekincare highlights a generational shift. Gen Z employees are more open to mental health services. Personal stress is the primary driver for consultations. Healthcare and pharma sectors show the highest engagement.

The Central Apprenticeship Council has decided to increase the minimum monthly stipend for apprentices under PM-NAPS and NATS schemes, raising it from Rs 5,000-Rs 9,000 to Rs 6,800-Rs 12,300. This revision, adjusted biennially based on CPI changes, aims to benefit both industry and young people.

A recent report indicates a shift in employee priorities, with 74% favoring stronger long-term benefits over a slightly higher salary. The study, encompassing 1,139 employees, reveals that only 32% feel their current benefits adequately support their financial well-being. Flexible work options and performance-based incentives are also highly valued for their positive impact on financial stability.

Formal job creation under the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) rose 5.79% month-on-month in March 2025, reaching 1.63 million new employees compared to 1.54 million in February, according to provisional payroll data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Udayan Dutt, previously VP-HR at Reckitt Benckiser, will assume the role of president-group HR at RPG Group on June 2, 2025. He succeeds S Venkatesh, with Harsh Goenka's active involvement in the selection. Dutt brings over 25 years of HR experience, including a decade at Unilever, to further enhance RPG's people-centric culture.

A new report reveals that many Indian employees engage in training only when required. The study highlights a gap between company offerings and employee needs. Many workplaces lack a formal skilling strategy. Srikanth Iyengar of upGrad Enterprise warns of a serious skilling gap. Generational learning preferences are often ignored. Employees cite irrelevance, limited access, and lack of time as barriers.

The Centre on Wednesday invited applications for the post of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) in the Central Information Commission, the transparency body responsible for appeals and complaints under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The commission is currently headed by Heeralal Samariya, who will complete his term later this year.

A recent LinkedIn report reveals that while a significant 67% of Indian professionals are receptive to new job opportunities, they struggle to identify suitable job titles or industries for their search.

For professionals aiming to advance into leadership roles, a strategic marketing programme is more than just upskillingit is about staying relevant in a market where digital and data-driven approaches are reshaping traditional marketing boundaries. Heres how IIM-Cs Strategic Marketing for Leaders: Leveraging AI for Growth goes beyond conventional marketing education, offering an integrated approach that enables professionals to lead in an AI-first business landscape.

Online upskilling courses from IITs and IIMs are gaining popularity among early-career professionals seeking industry-relevant skills. These programmes, covering AI, big data, and more, blend academic knowledge with practical application. The trend is driven by rapid technological advancements and the need for professionals to continuously update their skills to remain competitive and employable.

India's IT sector has witnessed a surge in exports and executive salaries, but entry-level engineers from non-premium colleges face stagnant starting pay, hovering around 3-4 lakh annually. Oversupply of graduates and declining billing rates contribute to this disparity, while companies focus on skill-based compensation and training investments. GCCs are emerging as a potential game-changer, offering higher salaries for specialized roles.

Senior leaders are now spending more time weighing risks and responsibilities of new roles amid a volatile business environment. Resilient demand for seasoned C-suite professionals is also working in their favour despite an overall soft job market. For a CEO or CXO in their mid-40s, the next ten years are criticalreset years, said D Shivakumar, former CEO at PepsiCo, and currently operating partner at Advent India.

Whether they are disgruntled with performance appraisals, or anticipating the next one, laid off, or just trying to figure out how they can align with bosses and peers professionals are increasingly turning to astrologers and tarot readers. Although the trend encompasses the gamut, from entry level to leadership, more of mid-senior talent tends to seek counsel from crystal gazers, said experts.

Indian IT firms like Infosys and Wipro have seen median salary increases of 30% since FY21, while Tech Mahindra's pay remained flat recently. Global firms Cognizant and Accenture experienced more moderate hikes. However, the growth rate of annual increments is showing a cooling trend across the industry, influenced by factors like growth and attrition.

For professionals ready to recalibrate their leadership trajectory, the IIMK Senior Management Programme (SMP) arrives at an opportune time. Its an opportunity to level up in both relevance and resilience, blending digital fluency, especially AI literacy, with strategic decision-making skills to align leadership ambitions with the future of business. Heres why it matters.

Despite global economic uncertainties, the demand for consultants and project-based talent witnessed a significant surge of 38% in FY25, surpassing previous years' growth. Technology continues to lead the demand, followed by strategy, business development, and finance. Consultant sign-ups have also soared, with a notable increase in younger professionals valuing independence and project variety.

The job market is evolving too fast for five-year career predictions. Experts say AI, climate tech, space tech, and bioengineering will reshape entry-level roles. Skills in data science, automation, IoT, sustainability, and digital transformation will be key across sectorsfrom agritech and pharma to banking, manufacturing, auto, FMCG, and e-commerceas new jobs replace older ones.

Blue-collar wages in India are growing at an annual rate of 56%, supported by strong demand and performance-based incentives, according to Deloitte's Blue-Collar Workforce Trends 2025 report released on Thursday. Hiring intent for such roles increased by 10% in 2025, driven by sectors like manufacturing, automotive, e-commerce, and logistics.

India's blue-collar sector grapples with a significant talent shortage, marked by rising attrition and increased demand for skilled labor. Companies are increasingly relying on temporary employees and third-party vendors to manage costs and maintain workforce flexibility. Automation and AI are reshaping blue-collar jobs, leading to increased productivity norms, while wages remain relatively low for a majority of workers.

A recent report reveals a significant gender gap in India's private sector workforce, with women holding only one-third of entry-level positions and 24% of managerial roles. Systemic barriers hinder women's entry, advancement, and retention, leading to lower promotion rates and higher attrition compared to men. This imbalance impacts India's economic growth potential, emphasizing the need for gender equity.

Ahmedabad's Ishani Debnath has made history by achieving a perfect score of 500 in the CBSE grade XII examinations, securing the top position in both India and worldwide in the Humanities stream. As a student of Delhi Public School, Bopal, she attributes her success to a disciplined study routine and the support of her family and teachers.

A growing number of Indian accountants are shifting away from traditional corporate paths, with 63% now aspiring to become entrepreneurs, according to ACCAs Global Talent Trends Survey 2025. The survey, which covered over 10,000 professionals across 175 countries, reveals evolving career goals driven by a desire for flexibility, purpose, and global opportunities.

CBSE Class 10 and 12 board results for 2025 are expected between May 13th and 15th, with over 44 lakh students awaiting their scores. The UMANG app, a Government of India initiative, offers a convenient and secure platform to access digital marksheets and certificates.

Attention students, the Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET) hall tickets will be available on May 12, 2025. Candidates can download it from cet.apsche.ap.gov.in using their credentials. The exam is scheduled from May 19 to May 27, 2025. Agriculture stream exams are on May 19 and 20.

The Board of Secondary Education Haryana is expected to release the Class 10 and 12 Board exam results for 2025 soon on bseh.org.in. Students can access their results by entering their roll number. This year, Class 10 exams were conducted from February 28 to March 19, and Class 12 exams from February 27 to April 2, 2025.

The Maharashtra State Board is expected to release the SSC 2025 exam results in May, accessible on official websites. Students can check their results by logging in with their details. In 2024, the overall pass percentage was 95.81%, with girls outperforming boys and Konkan division achieving the highest pass rate.