World · India Bureau
Fresher hiring plunges as India's job tenures shrink sharply
Recruitment of fresh graduates at global capability centres has halved year-on-year, while young workers face increasingly precarious employment with median tenures of just over a year, according to a new report.
LSN India ·
Fresher hiring across India's global capability centres (GCCs) has experienced a dramatic decline, falling to 15 per cent in 2025 from 28 per cent in the previous year, signalling a significant shift in employment patterns for the country's entry-level workforce.
The sharp contraction reflects broader changes in how Indian companies are structuring their talent acquisition strategies. Rather than investing in fresh talent pipelines, organisations are increasingly opting for experienced professionals who can contribute immediately to business operations. This trend has raised concerns about career pathways for recent graduates entering the job market.
Young workers aged 15 to 29 face particularly volatile employment conditions, with median job tenure standing at just 13 months. This brief tenure average indicates widespread job instability among India's younger workforce, suggesting workers are either being laid off frequently or moving between positions in search of better opportunities.
The employment landscape shift underscores mounting pressure on India's education and skills development sectors to prepare graduates for a more competitive and demanding market. Experts warn the trend could have long-term implications for workforce development and career progression if young professionals struggle to build sustained experience in their chosen fields.