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India’s Festive Hiring Expected to Rise 15–20 Percent
A report says Indian companies may hire many more people during the 2026 festive season.
Hiring could rise by 15–20%.
Around 2–2.5 lakh temporary and gig jobs may be created.
These jobs are expected mainly in the second half of the year.
Companies are starting to plan earlier than before.
They are building groups of possible workers 12–14 weeks before demand peaks.
Businesses are also looking beyond traditional hiring locations.
The report says some seasonal workers may later find longer-term employment opportunities.
Festive hiring in India is expected to increase by 15–20% in 2026.
The season could generate about 2–2.5 lakh seasonal and gig opportunities.
Most opportunities are expected during the second half of 2026.
Employers are planning workforce needs 12–14 weeks before the festive peak.
Companies are shifting from last-minute recruitment toward predictive, structured and technology-enabled hiring.
- Who
- Indian employers and workers seeking seasonal or gig opportunities; the findings were compiled by NLB Services.
- What
- Festive hiring is expected to rise 15–20%, potentially creating 2–2.5 lakh seasonal and gig opportunities.
- Where
- India.
- When
- During the 2026 festive season, particularly in the second half of the year; employers are planning 12–14 weeks before the peak.
- Why
- Businesses are preparing for concentrated festive demand and seeking to reduce pressure from compressed hiring cycles.
Key facts
- Expected hiring increase
- 15–20% during the 2026 festive season
- Potential opportunities
- Around 2–2.5 lakh seasonal and gig jobs
- Timing
- Second half of 2026
- Workforce planning
- Employers are beginning planning 12–14 weeks before the festive peak
- Hiring approach
- A shift from last-minute recruitment to predictive and structured talent strategies
- Recruitment methods
- Greater use of technology-enabled, flexible and ready-to-deploy talent
- Data source
- NLB Services
Quotes
Varun Sachdeva
Senior vice-president and APAC head at NLB Services
“Employers are hiring earlier, looking beyond traditional talent hubs and increasingly relying on technology-enabled, flexible and ready-to-deploy talent. What was once a short-term response to seasonal demand is becoming a strategic opportunity to access new talent pools, assess capabilities at scale and create pathways to longer-term employment”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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