Only 9% of corporates say fresh college graduates are job-ready on Day 1, while 68% of students believe they are: HirePro Report
HirePro’s State of College Hiring in India 2026 report reveals a significant perception gap between employers and students on workforce readiness. While 68% of students believe they are job-ready from Day 1, only 9% of employers agree, highlighting a disconnect between self-perception and industry expectations. Based on insights from 10,000+ students, 80+ corporates, 100+ colleges, and 100+ campus recruiters, the report underscores the evolving expectations of campus hiring in the AI era.
The report also found that 96% of colleges believe employers have embraced skills-first hiring, whereas only 21% of corporates say they have fully moved beyond CGPA. Meanwhile, although 85% of employers prefer graduates with GenAI skills, only 12% currently use GenAI proficiency as a mandatory hiring criterion, reflecting a stronger emphasis on learning agility and long-term potential over existing AI expertise.
The findings highlight that while hiring is steadily moving toward a skills-first model, organizations continue to seek graduates who can demonstrate practical skills, adaptability, and business readiness alongside academic credentials.