“STEM Freshers Hiring Declines as Companies Prefer Skilled Talent: TeamLease Report”

Hyderabad, Jan 27: Domestic companies are being cautious when it comes to hiring fresh graduates, especially those from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. According to a report by staffing and recruitment services firm TeamLease, hiring of STEM freshers is declining, with companies preferring candidates who are already equipped with job-ready skills.

• In 2024–25, around 200,000 to 220,000 STEM freshers were hired.
• For 2025–26, the number is expected to shrink to 150,000.
• This indicates that companies are focusing more on skilled professionals.

Experts and startup founders note that fresh graduates are now expected to work with cloud platforms, data pipelines, automation, and AI tools. Hiring such skilled candidates is seen as critical.

TeamLease CEO Neeti Sharma stated that companies are preparing to hire 70–74% of freshers in the current financial year. Startups, in particular, are opting for leaner teams but continue to recruit, especially those with AI and data analytics expertise.

Hiring trends over the years:

• 2021–22: 400,000 STEM freshers hired
• 2022–23: 230,000
• 2023–24: 150,000
• 2024–25: 200,000+ (a 15–18% improvement due to demand for AI/cloud skills)

Salary Trends

• Average annual salary for STEM freshers in 2024: ₹3 lakh
• Average annual salary in 2025: ₹4 lakh
• Growth is particularly strong in software engineering and data roles, driven by demand for AI and data talent.

In short: STEM freshers without specialized skills are finding fewer opportunities, while those trained in AI, cloud, automation, and data analytics are seeing better hiring prospects and higher pay.