Aon plc, a global professional services firm, announces the findings of its Campus Study Report 2025-26, marking its fourteenth year. The report reveals a resurgence in campus hiring, emphasizing strategic skill alignment and long-term retention.
Drawing on responses from over 220 organisations about their campus recruitment practices, the report provides in-depth analysis of campus hiring trends, including compensation, recruitment, onboarding experiences, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and culture.
The report highlights a positive shift in business sentiment, with 73% of organisations anticipating moderate to high growth. Key sectors driving this optimism are financial institutions, life sciences and consumer goods. This is reflected in stronger hiring intent compared to 2024. Sectors such as information technology, industrial and materials, and healthcare are experiencing growth. Over 40% of surveyed companies plan to expand their workforce by more than 10% in FY26, signalling a broader job market recovery.
Despite this rebound, compensation growth remains modest across tiers and qualifications. Organisations are focusing on performance incentivisation through variable pay, ranging from 10 to 12%. While MBA and engineering graduates have seen slight increases in total cost to company (TCC), the rise is primarily driven by variable pay and joining bonuses rather than fixed pay. For instance, 67% of organisations offer short-term incentives or variable pay to MBA graduates.
Roopank Chaudhary, Partner and Head of Data Solutions, Aon India said, “India’s campus hiring is evolving. Organisations are moving from mass recruitment to focusing on candidates with the right skills, early engagement, and long-term retention. By prioritising skill alignment and developing talent through internships and workshops, companies can attract, nurture, and retain a workforce that meets their business needs and is ready for the future.”
The study further reveals that organisations are increasingly prioritising culture alignment, recognising its role in employee retention and performance. 53% of respondents see a direct correlation between performance and culture. Nearly 90% of organisations assess cultural fit during hiring, often through HR interviews and behavioural assessments.
Diversity, especially with regards to gender, has become a focus area for nearly half of the surveyed organisations, with 50% setting gender ratio targets across talent cohorts. Over 30% of organisations visited colleges outside their preferred list to fulfil gender ratio requirements.
Internships have emerged as a strategic pipeline, with over 70% of organisations offering pre-placement interviews or offers to high-performing interns.
Saachi Verma, Associate Director, Talent Solutions for India, Aon said, “Campus hiring is no longer just about filling roles—it’s about shaping the future of the organisation. While there is a clear focus on strategic hiring, diversity, equity and inclusion and early attrition management, organisations must prioritise building a strong learning and development program that aligns with the expectations of new roles. To attract and retain top talent, companies must design compelling employee value propositions that go beyond compensation—building a robust learning and development program to make their workforce future ready.”
