Month-over-month hiring in February 2025 sees a growth of 10%: Report

According to the latest report by foundit (formerly Monster APAC & Middle East), hiring in India grew by 10% in February 2025 compared to February 2024, primarily driven by increased fresher recruitment. The shift towards skills-based hiring is evident, with job listings prioritizing competencies over qualifications rising from 4% in 2023 to 14% in 2025. Fresher hiring grew by 6% MoM, with the Information Technology (IT) hardware and software sector leading the demand, doubling its share from 17% in 2024 to 34% in February 2025. However, sectors such as Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) and Business Process Outsourcing/Information Technology-Enabled Services (BPO/ITeS) saw a decline in fresher hiring. 

Beyond major metropolitan areas, Tier 2 cities such as Nasik, Jaipur, Surat, Coimbatore, Indore, Kochi, Thane, Vadodara, Chandigarh, and Nagpur have emerged as key hiring hubs for freshers. The animation and gaming sector recorded a 15% YoY hiring growth, while medical and healthcare saw an 8% increase. Among cities, Pune led in MoM hiring growth at 6.7%, followed by Ahmedabad at 6.3%, indicating strong regional expansion. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of foundit, Mr. V. Suresh, emphasized that acquiring in-demand skills, earning certifications, and building strong portfolios will be crucial for fresh graduates to differentiate themselves in an evolving job market. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.