Festive Season Hiring In India: Trends, Demands and Benefits

The festive seasons in India generate significant employment opportunities across various sectors, offering both short-term and long-term job roles. The growing prevalence of gig work, the adoption of virtual interviews, and the launch of exclusive e-commerce mega sales events have collectively contributed to the surge in festive hiring. A notable increase in demand for diverse job roles is observed in sectors such as retail, e-commerce, logistics, BFSI, and tourism.

This period presents attractive prospects for students seeking part-time employment, individuals interested in temporary full-time positions, and young professionals aiming to gain work experience and acquire new skills.

Festive Hiring Trends in India 2025

India’s festive season in the second half of 2025 is projected to generate over 2.16 lakh seasonal jobs, reflecting a 15–20% year-on-year increase in temporary and gig employment opportunities compared to 2024, according to a report by Adecco India. Among cities, Tier-I locations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai are expected to witness approximately a 19% surge in seasonal hiring. In contrast, Tier-II cities, including Lucknow, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Nagpur, and Bhubaneswar, are likely to experience a sharper rise of 42% compared to the previous year.

By industry, the e-commerce sector leads festive hiring with 35%, followed by logistics (15%), retail (14%), and quick commerce (11%). Compensation levels are anticipated to grow by 12–15% in metro cities and by 18–22% in emerging urban centres. Notably, women’s participation in seasonal hiring for short-term, flexible roles has increased by approximately 23% compared to 2024.

Several factors are driving this growth in festive hiring across India. Demand for gig roles has expanded beyond traditional manual labour to include positions such as content writers, event coordinators, and digital marketers. Employers are increasingly relying on mobile applications, video interviews, and online assessments to streamline the hiring process during the festive period. To manage compliance related to employment documentation and contracts more efficiently, companies are engaging staffing agencies for quick execution.

To attract talent, many organisations are strengthening their employer branding and offering incentives such as joining bonuses, performance-based rewards, and flexible shift options, particularly for field-based roles. Mega festive promotional events such as Big Billion Days(Flipkart), Prime Day(Amazon), along with Dussehra, and Diwali offers continue to drive seasonal hiring activity in India.

Top Seasonal Job Roles by Industries

The table below highlights the approximate demand for top seasonal jobs and gig roles across key industries in India, including Retail, E-commerce, Logistics, BFSI, and Tourism, as per data derived from Naukri.com in July 2025, prior to the onset of the festive season, marked by Raksha Bandhan on August 9th, 2025. This demand is further projected to extend during Diwali, Dussehra, Navratri and Ganesh Chaturthi. 

Benefits for Job Seekers

1. Easy Entry and Quick Hiring
   Festive season jobs—particularly in sectors such as retail, logistics, e-commerce, and customer service—are typically entry-level roles that require minimal experience, making them accessible to freshers and early-career professionals. The hiring process for these positions is often quick, taking place just a few weeks prior to the festivals.
2. Flexible Timing and Immediate Income
   These roles frequently offer flexible work schedules, allowing individuals to manage their job alongside household responsibilities, academic commitments, and other obligations. Additionally, many of these positions provide immediate payouts on an hourly or weekly basis, making them ideal for meeting short-term financial needs.
3. Skill Development Opportunities
   Temporary festive jobs offer valuable opportunities for individuals to develop skills in areas such as customer service, time management, supply chain operations, order fulfillment, and digital payment systems. These competencies are increasingly important in today’s job market and enhance long-term employability.
4. Expanded Employment Across Geographies
   The festive season significantly boosts employment opportunities even in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, thus expanding job availability beyond metropolitan areas. Many companies evaluate the performance of temporary staff and  offer permanent roles, thereby supporting career advancement and providing good job security.

As India’s festive season continues to evolve into a dynamic economic driver, the surge in seasonal and gig employment reflects the growing adaptability of both employers and job seekers. With increased hiring across Tier-I and Tier-II cities, rising compensation trends, and expanding opportunities in sectors like e-commerce, logistics, and retail, festive hiring has become a critical avenue for income generation, skill development, and long-term career advancement.

If you’re exploring short-term gig roles or aiming to gain industry-relevant experience, now is the ideal time to tap into India’s festive job market—explore opportunities, apply early, and take a sustainable step towards building your future. 

Frequently Asked Questions