India set for hiring boom in 2026 as companies focus on campus and diversity

Indian companies are preparing for a major hiring boom in 2026, with staffing firm TeamLease projecting that 10-12 million jobs will be added next year, up from an estimated 8-10 million in 2025.

The surge reflects growing optimism in Corporate India, driven by recovering sectors, digital transformation, and an emphasis on diversity and inclusion in recruitment. HR leaders across firms like EY, Godrej Consumer Products, Diageo, and Tata Motors say that campus hiring and workforce diversity will be among their top priorities.

Campus recruitment back in focus

EY India, one of the country’s largest professional services firms, plans to hire 14,000-15,000 people in the fiscal year ending June 2026. “Campus hiring has always been an important pillar of hiring at EY,” said Arti Dua, Chief HR Officer, highlighting the renewed focus on entry-level talent from universities.

Similarly, other companies are targeting digital, engineering, and technical skill sets among fresh graduates, combining traditional recruitment with specialised programs in emerging technologies.

Diversity and skill-based hiring

Alongside campus recruitment, companies are focusing heavily on workforce diversity and inclusivity.

• Diageo India plans to expand recruitment in digital, supply chain, and emerging skills, while actively increasing female representation in its workforce.
• Tata Motors is targeting hires in battery technology, hydrogen fuel, software-defined vehicles, engineering, and R&D roles, driven by the company’s shift toward electric and green mobility.
• Godrej Consumer Products aims to increase the representation of persons with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ employees, and women to 33% by FY27, up from 31% currently.
• Motilal Oswal Financial Services is hiring across all business lines, including technology, data science, and AI support, while also prioritising female leadership in its workforce.

According to HR experts, this trend represents a broader shift in Corporate India toward equitable hiring, with companies balancing skill-based recruitment and inclusive workforce policies to stay competitive in a changing economy.