The job market has witnessed double-digit growth in hiring intent at 11 per cent, up from 9.75 per cent in the previous year. According to the India Decoding Jobs 2026 Report, launched by digital recruitment platform Taggd, the year 2026 is emerging as the year of experienced professionals.
The report was published with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), sectors such as BFSI, manufacturing, and infrastructure are set to drive hiring momentum. In this edition of the report, insights from nearly 300+ talent leaders across 21 industries were captured with a data-backed view of India’s job and talent story.
Devashish Sharma, Co-Founder and CEO, Taggd, said, “This resurgence marks a shift from recovery to reinvention, powered by digital acceleration, formalisation, and regional expansion.” As per the report, AI is transforming how organisations hire, with 60 per cent of recruiters using it for resume screening and 45 per cent for interview automation.
Preference for mid-level to senior-level employees
The report mentioned that companies are increasingly prioritising mid- and senior-level talent for those with 6–15+ years of experience. In addition, Tier II cities account for 32 per cent of projected jobs in 2026, as organisations, especially GCCs, tap into new regional talent hubs for both cost efficiency and emerging skill sets. Female hiring is projected at 30 per cent in FY 2026-2027, consistent with 2025 levels but lower than 36 per cent in 2024, as per the report.
POV of Industry and hiring AI-skilled talent
The report added that employers are actively scouting for candidates in high-demand roles, including AI/ML engineers, solutions architects, and digital and data specialists, in addition to expertise in GenAI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
(With PTI Inputs)