Originally published on AI Tech Connect.
Why 2026 fresher hiring is skills-first The most useful thing you can understand about the 2026 entry-level market is that the gate has moved. A decade ago the gate was the degree and the campus brand; today it is proof of work. A TeamLease EdTech survey of India's first-half 2026 hiring cycle put employer intent to hire freshers at roughly 73% — strong demand by any measure — but the same surveys are unambiguous about who captures it: candidates screened on projects, portfolios and demonstrable ability, not on qualifications alone. Career platforms covering the Indian fresher market make the same point more bluntly: employers now prioritise demonstrated ability over credentials for entry AI roles, and a certificate proves you can follow instructions while a deployed project proves you…
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