India’s fresher hiring market is shifting towards skills-first recruitment, with employers placing greater emphasis on practical capability, digital fluency and proof-of-work than academic qualifications alone, according to the latest report by TeamLease EdTech.

The TeamLease EdTech Career Outlook Report for HY1 2026 found that employers are increasingly hiring candidates based on adaptability, technical skills and real-world application rather than marksheets and resumes.

The report identified seven key skills shaping fresher employability in 2026.

AI fluency and automation readiness emerged among the most sought-after capabilities as organisations integrate AI-led workflows across functions including marketing, operations and customer support. Roles such as AI Marketing Associate and AI Chatbot Support Engineer are seeing increased demand, with employers seeking candidates familiar with automation tools, campaign execution and digital workflow management.

Cybersecurity and digital risk awareness also remain major hiring priorities as businesses expand their digital operations. The report highlighted rising demand for Cybersecurity Analysts, with employers focusing on skills including threat analysis, networking fundamentals and security systems.

Cloud and DevOps skills are becoming mainstream entry-level requirements, particularly across IT and telecom sectors. Roles such as Cloud Operations Associate and Junior DevOps Engineer are witnessing strong demand in cities including Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. Employers are prioritising skills in scripting, Linux, automation, CI/CD fundamentals and cloud platforms.

Marketing recruitment is also becoming increasingly data-driven. The report noted growing demand for Digital Campaign Analysts, Ads Operations Executives and Digital Marketing Executives, particularly in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. Campaign analytics, web analytics, marketing automation and performance optimisation are among the most sought-after skills.

Beyond technical expertise, employers are increasingly prioritising learning agility, problem framing and digital fluency as core workplace skills. The report stated that organisations are seeking adaptable talent capable of operating in technology-enabled environments.

Data and business intelligence skills are also driving fresher hiring across consulting, BFSI, e-commerce and operational functions. Roles such as Business Intelligence Analyst are in demand, with employers looking for candidates with data visualisation, programming and analytics capabilities.

The report further highlighted a shift towards proof-of-work and portfolio-based hiring models. Employers are increasingly assessing candidates through projects, internships, hackathons, apprenticeships and real-world problem-solving rather than relying solely on degrees or resumes.

According to the report, recruitment models are moving from degree-based filters towards skills, behaviour and continuous assessment. It also pointed to the rise of apprenticeships, innovation labs and industry-linked learning ecosystems as new pathways into employment.

The report found that employer intent to hire freshers rose to 73 per cent in HY1 2026, with the strongest opportunities available to candidates combining technical expertise with practical exposure and adaptability.

The survey was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026 with inputs from 1,051 employers across industries.

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