India's hiring story in 2025 was less about speed, more about skills

India’s job market ended 2025 with strong but disciplined growth, as hiring rose 23% year-on-year before moderating in the second half, according to Foundit data. Employers prioritised productivity, leadership, and digital skills, while Tier-2 cities gained prominence. The outlook for 2026 points to steady, skills-led hiring across sectors and geographies.