As per ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey, India’s hiring outlook for the third quarter of 2025 (July 2025 to September 2025) is at an impressive 42%.
For the survey, ManpowerGroup gathered insights from over 3,100 employers across India to gain an in-depth understanding of the hiring trends within the country. About 54% of employers in India plan to hire in Q3, and 32% expect no change, but 12% predict reductions.
At 42%, the seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlooks (NEO) for Q3 of 2025 in India are the second highest among the countries featured in the survey, second only to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India’s NEO has changed by 12 points year-over-year. While this is 1 point less than last year, India still ranked second among the countries, with Israel topping the chart at 13 points.
39% of employers in India are also planning on expanding their workforce to meet the demands of technological advancements. This puts India in second place once more, trailing behind the United Kingdom’s 51%.
“As we enter Q3 2025, India’s employment outlook remains robust. The remarkable rise in Energy & Utilities hiring points to strategic investments and sectoral confidence in a transforming economy,” said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East. “We’re also seeing a decisive shift towards building agile, digitally skilled teams, especially in sectors impacted by aging workforces and global trade uncertainty.”
Talking about specific industries, Energy and Utilities was recorded at 50%, which is the highest amongst all sectors. The 18-point increase quarter-to-quarter, as well as year-to-year, highlights the country’s plans for energy transition, infrastructure expansion, and policy momentum in the green energy space. India’s sectoral NEO for Energy and Utilities is more than 36 points whenc compared to the global average.
Other impressive sector-wise NEOs in India include Information Technology at 46% and Industrials and Materials at 45%, highlighting India’s strides towards digital transformation and manufacturing growth. Company expansion (44%) remains the leading reason for increased hiring, while economic uncertainty (38%) is driving staffing cuts. In fact, 90% of companies cite global trade uncertainty as a hiring influencer, most notably in Energy and Utilities (94%).
Geographically, the NEO for the north region is at 46%, followed by the east at 44%, the west at 41%, and the south at 36%. The hiring intent is strongest among large organisations (1,000–4,999 employees) in India at 52%.
Among the employers interviewed in India, 67% believe that the aging workforce is reshaping HR strategies, especially in IT (73%) and Energy and Utilities (72%). 82% of firms are increasing investment in automation, especially those affected by aging and trade pressures.