Despite some signs of improvement in the job market in early 2023 and 2024, fresh graduates across India continue to feel the burdening pressure of job search

Campus placements, once a reliable way to land a job, have become harder to crack. Fewer companies are participating, and those that do are looking for top-tier candidates with special skills or experience.

On top of that, overall hiring has dropped in key sectors like IT, engineering, and finance. Economic uncertainty, global challenges, and company restructuring have led to fewer job openings, and companies are being more selective, often choosing experienced candidates over fresh graduates.

As a result, many graduates are left without job offers after finishing their studies.

They expect me to know everything for 3.5 LPA, that too in a metropolitan city. How am I supposed to know angular, JS, java, springboot, deep learning and DSA? Why would anyone join this firm at all?
– Yeshwanth (Bangalore)

Furthermore, the overall number of hirings has drastically reduced compared to previous years. A combination of economic uncertainty, ongoing global challenges, and corporate restructuring has led to reduced hiring budgets and slower growth in key sectors like IT, engineering, and finance. Companies are now more cautious in their recruitment processes, opting to hire fewer, more experienced candidates rather than taking a chance on fresh graduates.

Companies have unrealistic expectations from freshers. Often, it is the capitalistic mindset of Indian startups that fuels these drives. Apart from this, supply demand logistics have also begun to impact the hiring process.

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Too many people in the fresher market

India sees almost 10 lakh JEE aspirants every year. The Indian job market does not have the capacity to employ all graduates. Combined with this is the low quality of education which does not impart any useful skills at all. Along with the recent threats of a looming recession and the terrible firing process that took place in the previous year, the IT job market has toughened its hiring process to select only the best of all students.

Earlier, the companies which used to bulk-hire students in our college have now greatly reduced their numbers. They have gone down from 400 to barely 60. Other companies which visit our campus hire only 3-4 people at a time.
-Preethika (Engineering student, Chennai)

Former grads still unemployed

Early 2024 graduates have still not found their employment.

Many sectors, such as engineering and management, have become oversaturated, with an influx of graduates leading to intense competition. This saturation makes it harder for freshers to stand out, especially when they lack strong networks or specialized skills.

I spent 15 lakhs for a private college. I did get a 4 LPA job, but they said that the role was redundant and I am no more needed. I feel cheated. My campus says it’s the industry slowdown while they did not allow me to sit for further placements.

-Manish (Name changed), Delhi

Many companies in India bulk hire fresh graduates, advertising large-scale recruitment drives and promising attractive career opportunities. However, once hired, these students often find that the roles they were recruited for are either non-existent, misrepresented, or have been downsized.

In some cases, companies backtrack on offers or force employees into roles with little relevance to their skills, leaving students in a lurch.

This deceptive practice not only wastes students’ time and effort but also takes advantage of their desperation to secure a job in a competitive market.

Offer letter delays are significant

After successfully clearing interviews and receiving verbal or email confirmations, candidates often face prolonged waiting periods before they receive their formal offer letters. This delay can range from weeks to months, leaving applicants in limbo, unable to make any concrete career decisions.

In some cases, companies cite internal processing issues, funding delays, or organizational restructuring as reasons for the hold-up, but these excuses often feel like a way to hedge against hiring commitments.

These delays not only disrupt the candidate’s job search but also impact their confidence and ability to plan for the future, especially when other opportunities are being put on hold.

The light ahead

Despite all these challenges, certain government schemes have have shown the light ahead for fresh graduates

The PM Internship Scheme 2024 is a powerful opportunity for young graduates to kickstart their careers. By offering 1.25 lakh internships in top companies across 24 sectors, the program provides hands-on experience and exposure to real-world industries. With a focus on youth from low-income backgrounds, the scheme offers not just practical skills but also a monthly stipend and financial support.

Apart from this , the emergence of startups in India presents a better opportunity for freshers in the long run.

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