Skills over degrees: Is India’s hiring system ready to make the shift?
HirePro’s State of College Hiring in India 2026 report reveals that while skills-first hiring is gaining momentum, the transition remains a work in progress. Only 21% of corporates have fully adopted skills-first hiring, while 51% still allow CGPA to influence hiring decisions. Another 42% are in transition, indicating that traditional credentials continue to play a significant role in campus recruitment.
The report also highlights a clear perception gap between academia and employers. While 96% of colleges believe corporates have already embraced skills-first hiring, employer responses suggest the shift is still evolving. At the same time, although 85% of companies prefer graduates with GenAI skills, only 12% currently use GenAI proficiency as a hard hiring filter; most organizations choose to train talent after hiring instead.
The findings underscore that India’s hiring landscape is moving toward skills-based recruitment, but organizations continue to balance practical capabilities with traditional academic indicators as they reshape campus hiring strategies.