World of Work

The rise of the gig economy in India has often been portrayed as a breakthrough solution to unemployment. App-based platform jobs — including ride-hailing, food delivery, and freelance digital work — promise flexibility, quick income, and easy entry into the workforce. On paper, these opportunities sound ideal for first-time workers entering urban labor markets or […]

In their Oxford Review of Economic Policy article, economists Dani Rodrik and Stefanie Stantcheva frame the central labour‑market issue as “the failure [of contemporary capitalism] to produce adequate numbers of good jobs to sustain a prosperous and growing middle class.” Against this backdrop, the Union Budget 2026 takes on heightened significance for employees and jobseekers alike. Beyond […]

Retail sector growth thrives on execution. When stores are fully staffed, managers can focus on customers, operations run smoothly, and sales targets are met. But when staffing gaps appear, even small ones, the impact is immediate: missed sales, overworked teams, and customer experience that suffers. That’s why understanding what is talent acquisition matters—not just as […]

India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. What began as cost-saving back offices has transformed into strategic innovation powerhouses, with the sector racing toward a USD 105–120 billion valuation by 2030. Hosting over 1,700 centres and employing nearly 1.9 million professionals, a number expected to surge past 2.8 million in the […]

“We overestimate what technology can do in the short run and underestimate what it can do in the long run,” observed futurist Roy Amara, summarising what is now known as Amara’s Law (Beck & Wade, 2004). Nowhere is this more evident than in the deployment of artificial intelligence today. Despite unprecedented investment and attention, AI […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming productivity across industries, promising efficiency, speed, and lower operational costs. However, when AI adoption is primarily used to replace low-skilled labour, it creates hidden economic and social costs. In India—where a large share of employment is informal, routine, and low-skilled—AI-driven automation disproportionately impacts bottom-of-the-pyramid workers. This article illustrates how early […]

India’s workforce challenge is no longer only about job creation. It is about building a workforce that is productive, stable, and capable of sustaining growth over time. While employers across sectors continue to expand hiring, they face persistent challenges around entry-level readiness, early attrition, and rising cost-per-hire. At the same time, female participation in the […]

By 2026, technology will no longer be perceived as a transformation initiative. It will simply define how work is executed. Technology is already being embedded into everyday roles across all sectors be it manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, BFSI, energy, or agriculture. Supervisors rely on real-time dashboards for daily tracking, planning decisions are increasingly supported by […]

Thirty-five years after India launched its landmark 1991 economic liberalisation, the reforms remain one of the most defining moments in the country’s modern history. By dismantling license controls, opening markets, and integrating India with the global economy, the reforms fundamentally altered how India grows, produces, and competes. Yet, despite undeniable gains, the liberalisation story is […]

What keeps an employee loyal to a company? Could it be Could it be that loyalty goes  beyond pay, promotions, and benefits and is anchored in purpose instead? Businesses are realising that attractive compensation packages and well-crafted policies are not enough to retain talent. It demands a workplace culture that fosters meaning, growth, and belonging, […]

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the life sciences sector, from reimagining drug discovery to reshaping clinical development, diagnostics, manufacturing and personalized medicine. The global artificial intelligence in life sciences market reached USD 2.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 16.7 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 21.5% during 2025–2033, according […]

Employee-driven development (EDD) — self-directed learning, clear career frameworks, stretch assignments, and internal mobility — is often presented as a silver bullet for retention. The short answer is: EDD is a powerful retention lever, but it cannot be left to operate alone. Over the past 3–5 years, India Inc. has seen attrition moderate from the […]