India Inc employees can expect average pay hikes of 9.1% in 2026, up from 8.9% in 2025, with real estate and NBFCs leading at around 10%. Attrition levels have also declined to a five-year low of 16.2% in 2025, reflecting more targeted hiring and employee engagement efforts.
Indian salaries are set for a 9.1% rise in 2026, a significant jump compared to global economies. Real estate, NBFCs, and manufacturing sectors are expected to lead these increases. Employee attrition is also declining, nearing pre-pandemic levels. Companies are adapting to new wage codes, with many restructuring compensation. This growth reflects India's strong economic fundamentals and sustained talent demand.
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is set to hire retired officers and government employees. This move aims to fill over 4,000 vacancies across various departments. Initially, the investment division will be strengthened. Retired officials from institutions like SBI, RBI, and LIC will be engaged. This initiative will enhance the organisation's capacity to manage its growing subscriber base and corpus.
India's semiconductor sector is seeing a hiring surge. Companies are actively recruiting for chip design and manufacturing roles. Demand for skilled professionals in areas like VLSI and AI accelerators is high. This expansion is driven by government initiatives and growing industry needs. The sector is focused on building advanced capabilities.
The institute’s 2026 final placements saw the highest India-based package exceed international offers, with more than 580 roles for 559 students across consulting, finance and tech.
The Quess Pulse Report shows that 70 per cent of jobs are now in non-metro India, with tier III cities alone accounting for 40 per cent of employment and tier II hubs a further 29 per cent compared with 31 per cent in tier I.
India Inc. anticipates a 9.1% salary increase in 2026. Global Capability Centres will lead with 10.4% growth. Financial services and e-commerce also show strong projections. Attrition is stabilizing. Companies are shifting to skills-based pay, with emerging tech roles commanding premiums. Long-term incentives are becoming more prevalent. CEO compensation is rising, with a focus on performance-linked pay.
Formal employment is shifting beyond metros, with tier-3 cities leading organised workforce deployment in H1 FY26. Tier-3 cities accounted for 40% of jobs, followed by tier-1 at 31% and tier-2 at 29%, according to the Quess Corp Pulse report.
India Inc. anticipates a 9.1% salary increment in 2026, with Global Capability Centers leading at 10.4%. Attrition is normalizing, though voluntary exits remain high. Organizations are increasingly adopting skill-based pay and sharpening performance-linked variable pay, while strategic use of Long-Term Incentive Plans is crucial for talent retention.
The provisional answer key for GATE 2026 has been released by IIT Guwahati on its official website. Candidates can now access and download the key to review their responses and estimate scores. An objection window is open for candidates to challenge any discrepancies with valid proof.