Bhartiya Urban to Expand Nikoo Homes with 5,000 New Units in Bangalore

Bangalore, April 29, 2025: After the phenomenal success of Nikoo Homes within Bhartiya City, Bhartiya Urban, one of India’s leading real estate developers, is all set to take its much-loved residential brand across Bangalore’s most vibrant and fast-growing neighborhoods. Over the next 15 months, the company plans to launch multiple new Nikoo Homes projects across North, South, and Central Bangalore, delivering more than 9 million square feet of thoughtfully designed living spaces and over 5,000 new homes.

This ambitious expansion reflects the rising demand for homes that combine contemporary design, community living, and modern luxury — the very ethos that Nikoo Homes has come to represent. The new expansion will offer luxurious and environmentally friendly houses designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding natural beauty, creating an environment that is both exclusive and inviting. Residents will enjoy access to premium facilities, including a grand clubhouse ‘The Black Swan Club’, swimming pool, fitness center, and much more, all designed to offer a fulfilling lifestyle.

“Nikoo Homes is more than just a residential concept—it’s a way of life, thoughtfully designed around the five pillars of family, community, culture, health, and learning. Our goal has always been to offer homes that bring together functionality, aesthetics, and a strong sense of community,” said Mr. Snehdeep Aggarwal, Chairman of Bhartiya Group. He further added, “With this expansion, we’re excited to extend that experience to more people in Bangalore, adapting to the evolving aspirations of modern urban dwellers.”


Nikoo Homes began as a bold vision within Bhartiya City — Bhartiya Urban’s flagship 125-acre integrated township near Hebbal. Designed to be a city with the warmth of a village, Bhartiya City is home to residences, tech parks, a shopping mall, The Leela Bhartiya City, and a world-class school. With nearly 17 million sq. ft. of built-up space, it is one of the largest integrated urban developments in India.

Within this ecosystem, over 6,600 families have chosen to live in Nikoo Homes — from smartly designed studios and lofts to spacious 4-bedroom homes. These homes offer a blend of style, function, and smart living — with parks in the sky, walk-to-work environments, and public spaces designed to bring people together.

By expanding Nikoo Homes as a distinct and independent brand, Bhartiya Urban is doubling down on its vision to make high-quality urban living more widely available across Bangalore’s key growth hubs.

Further announcements regarding project locations, launch timelines, and home configurations will be made in the coming months.

 

Grazia India’s April Issue Spotlights Six Talented Women Who Are Reimagining Indie Cinema

For Grazia India’s April Issue, with the magnetic Kriti Sanon on the cover, we delve into the evolving landscape of indie cinema through the lens of women who are rewriting its rules. This special feature brings together the stories, style, and spirit of Kani Kusruti, Richa Chadha, Shahana Goswami, Preeti Panigrahi, Anasuya Sengupta, and Nitanshi Goel—actors who are challenging conventions, breaking norms, and bringing deeply layered characters to life. Through stunning portraits and candid conversations, we celebrate their craft, choices, and the cinematic shift they’re championing— one film at a time.

Kani Kusruti finds that the true joy of acting is in the discovery of characters; she says, “We discover the characters when we play the part – that is the pleasure of acting.” While embodying Nurse Prabha in All We Imagine As Light, she emphasises that acting requires understanding the character, and not a personal connection. Deeply rooted in her Malayali identity, she embraces her unique style and is unapologetically herself both on- and off-screen.

Richa Chadha reflects on her evolution from being an actor to now also a producer, expressing, “It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to build something from the ground up.” Passionate about telling unique stories, she hopes to play more nuanced female roles, and dreams of backing diverse projects, exploring human relationships to dark and sharp-edged comedies.

Anasuya Sengupta, opening up on her Cannes Best Performance win for The Shameless, shares, “Now, I get to call myself an actor without any question.” She resonates deeply with her character Renuka’s revolutionary spirit, stating, “I read the script in one sitting and knew right away this is a character that I wanted to embody. I felt a sense of protectiveness toward the character and wanted to stand up for her.” With big dreams of starring in an action film, she is just getting started and excited for future projects.

Preeti Panigrahi shares her experience of Girls Will Be Girls, saying, “I realised you could run a set without yelling at people, being mindful, and talking softly.” She embraced the emotional complexity of her character Mira, particularly the layered mother-daughter dynamic. With an eye on storytelling and direction, Preeti is all set to diversify her creative palette.

Shahana Goswami on playing the lead in Santosh, states, “You cannot be judgmental of a character you’re playing; you must play it with love.” She adds, “Santosh is fallible… but you’re still empathetic to her as a human being.” Goswami offers advice to aspiring actors, saying, “Live your life fully and be an observer of life,” and is excited for her upcoming role in Mahasangam.

Nitanshi Goel speaks abouther breakout role in Laapataa Ladies, “The most moving performances come from the simplest truths.” She draws inspiration from director Kiran Rao’s advice to “Stay connected to the why behind your character.” Now, Goel wants to take up roles that are complex, real, and resonate deeply. She’s excited for newer creative challenges and is exploring her love for dance.

In a space once dominated by familiar names and formulas, these women are scripting a new narrative—grounded, fearless, and unapologetically their own. With every film they take on, they are not just acting, but quietly rewriting the rules of Indian cinema.

 
 

Pioneer of Healthcare Quality in India Dr. Girdhar Gyani Honoured with Prestigious IMC Juran Medal

New Delhi, April 29, 2025 — In a landmark moment for Indian healthcare, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI), has been awarded the IMC Juran Medal, one of the most esteemed honours in the field of quality management. With this recognition, Dr Gyani joins an elite circle of Indian visionaries who have previously received the medal, including Mr Mukesh Ambani, Dr Devi Shetty, Mr Anand Mahindra, Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr Narayana Murthy, Mr Azim Premji, Dr Jamshed Irani, Mr K. Sivan, Mr N. Chandrasekaran, and Dr Sudha Murthy. Dr Gyani’s tireless efforts in promoting healthcare quality and patient safety have now been recognized on the global stage, marking a proud milestone not only for him but for the entire Indian healthcare community.

Often referred to as the Pioneer of Healthcare Quality in India, Dr Gyani has dedicated his life to building a healthcare system rooted in trust, transparency, and patient-centric care. He is the architect behind the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)—a landmark initiative under the Quality Council of India that brought international quality standards into Indian healthcare. Recognised globally by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), NABH has empowered healthcare organisations to prioritise clinical excellence and continuous improvement, ultimately raising the bar for patient safety and service delivery.

Today, as Director General of AHPI, Dr Gyani continues to lead with vision and purpose. AHPI represents over 20,000 hospitals across India and is committed to building capacity in national healthcare system that ensures universal access to safe, ethical, and affordable care. The association actively works with policymakers, state governments, and healthcare providers to shape reforms in areas such as infrastructure, insurance, medical regulation, and digital health.

Reflecting on the honour, Dr Girdhar Gyani said, “This recognition is not just a personal milestone—it is a tribute to the idea that quality and safety must be at the heart of healthcare. When we created NABH, the goal was to establish a framework that patients could trust. Through AHPI, that mission has evolved into a broader movement—one that focuses on advocacy, education, and equity in care. We are working to build a healthier India where no one is left behind, and every citizen has access to quality healthcare.”

Under Dr Gyani’s leadership, AHPI has grown into one of the most influential voices in Indian healthcare. It serves as a platform for collaboration, driving meaningful change by uniting providers and guiding them toward ethical, efficient, and patient-focused care.

Adding to the celebration, Mr Neeraj Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd CMD, Mukund Ltd, remarked, “Dr Gyani’s work is a masterclass in healthcare leadership. From setting national quality standards to empowering thousands of institutions, his vision has consistently emphasised people over process, ethics over expediency. The IMC Juran Medal not only honours his past achievements—it reinforces the critical role he continues to play in shaping the future of healthcare in India.”

This recognition reaffirms that healthcare transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires visionary leadership, system-wide collaboration, and a relentless focus on quality. Dr Gyani’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when those forces come together.

DP World and Delhi Capitals Launch Cricket-Inspired Campaign Film

Bengaluru, 29th April 2025: DP World, a leading global provider of smart logistics solutions, has unveiled an inspiring new campaign film in partnership with Delhi Capitals, celebrating the transformative power of cricket when driven by purpose. The film highlights how cricket can open doors, create opportunities and positively impact communities.

The film brings together an impressive lineup of global cricket stars including KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc, alongside women’s cricket trailblazers Meg Lanning, Alice Capsey, and Sarah Bryce. It marks the latest milestone in DP World’s partnership with both the Men’s and Women’s Delhi Capitals teams, underscoring a shared commitment to inclusivity and impact through sport.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of local neighbourhoods across India, the film vividly captures  DP World’s grassroots commitment to making cricket more accessible. A standout scene features young aspiring players being mentored by life-sized holographic projections of their cricketing idols blending inspiration with innovation to deliver a personal, powerful training experience.

Hemant Kumar Ruia, Executive Vice President, Head of DP World India said, “India is central to DP World’s global operations, both in scale and strategic importance. Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of millions here, and through our Beyond Boundaries Initiative, we are using the power of cricket to connect with communities in India. We are providing access to cricket by providing grassroots clubs with cricket kits, equipment, and facilities through repurposed logistics containers. Our partnership with Delhi Capitals reflects a shared commitment to enabling this access, nurturing local talent, and fostering a spirit of inclusion. This film captures our unifying purpose, showcasing how we are supporting cricketing talent at the grassroots level, while building relationships that matter, both on and off the field.”

As part of its global Beyond Boundaries Initiative, DP World is converting 50 repurposed shipping containers into fully equipped cricket facilities for grassroots clubs worldwide. Each container is stocked with professional-grade kits including bats, helmets, gloves, pads and kit bags. The containers are also multipurpose to suit the local community’s needs, serving as pavilions and dressing rooms – all with the ambition of making the game more accessible.

Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has seen DP World roll out five repurposed containers across key Indian cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi, along with the distribution of 1,250 cricket kits to aspiring players in India. In 2024, the Delhi Capitals team supported the unveiling of containers at Delhi’s Aerocity Ground, reinforcing the commitment to bringing the game closer to communities and nurturing the next generation of talent.

Palo Alto Networks Bolsters SASE Capabilities for Modern Workplace

MUMBAI, India, April 29, 2025 — Palo Alto Networks®,, the global cybersecurity leader, today announced its latest advancements in Prisma® SASE, the industry’s most comprehensive secure access service edge (SASE) solution, including the unveiling of Prisma Access Browser 2.0, the world’s only SASE-native secure browser. Prisma Access Browser 2.0, along with Endpoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and expanded cloud presence with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), are new Prisma SASE capabilities designed to secure generative AI (GenAI) usage, improve user experience and enhance operational resilience in the modern workplace.

Eighty-five percent of work today is happening in browsers, leading to potential data exposure and monitoring gaps. Palo Alto Networks 2025 Unit 42 Incident Report found that almost half (44%) of security incidents involved malicious activities initiated or enabled through employees’ browsers, such as phishing, URL redirect abuse and malware downloads.

“A secure browser extends SASE protection to where knowledge workers spend most of their time, securing third-party access, supporting BYOD, and reducing an organization’s reliance on legacy infrastructure like VDI,” said John Grady, principal analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, now part of Omdia. “Palo Alto Networks unique approach of integrating its Prisma Access Browser with Prisma SASE helps organizations extend the same protection from advanced threats, user experience monitoring, and GenAI app protection from the network into the browser, ensuring users are protected, efficient, and productive.”

Uniquely the combination of Prisma SASE with Prisma Access Browser delivers safe, fast, policy-driven access to everything the modern workforce needs — without compromising experience or security. To further enable enterprises to browse securely from any device or any location, Prisma Access Browser 2.0 includes the following new capabilities:

  • Safely enabling GenAI use and protecting data in real time: Prisma Access Browser 2.0 now helps secure GenAI adoption with real-time visibility, access control and user coaching to accurately secure sensitive data at the last mile (e.g., clipboard, print, screenshots, typing), with LLM-powered context-based classification preventing unintentional leaks or breaches.
  • Defending against new sophisticated web attacks: Prisma Access Browser 2.0 delivers new protection powered by Precision AI® to detect evasive and targeted attacks such as AI-generated cloaking and SaaS-hosted phishing attacks in real time. This includes attacks such as evasive AI-generated code and malicious injections into compromised websites, which cannot be reliably detected outside of the browser.
  • Delivering a reimagined user experience: Prisma Access Browser 2.0 delivers maximum performance for modern web and SaaS applications, yet still provides users with the ability to easily launch legacy infrastructure such as VDI applications from the same browser for a unified experience.

“In the AI-first era, safeguarding customer data and intellectual property is paramount,” said Aathir Ahad, CISO, Wipro Limited. “Prisma Access Browser aligns with our Zero Trust strategy and our commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for rapid threat prevention, enhanced user experience, and robust data & privacy protection.”

“Secure browsers are absolutely essential for the modern workforce because today’s work is increasingly remote, cloud-based, and data-intensive,” said Anand Oswal, SVP and GM of Network Security, Palo Alto Networks. “This shift demands a unified, modern approach to security — a SASE natively integrated secure browser — that uniquely safeguards productivity, helps ensure resilience, and does so with a seamless user experience, making it the optimal choice for securing today’s dynamic work environments.”

Additional new advanced features to Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE include:

  • Endpoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) — to improve shadow data discovery and data classification accuracy as well as provide proactive measures against insider threats to safeguard sensitive information.
  • Extend App Acceleration to Branch — to expand support for new productivity apps and extend enhanced user-to-app performance to the branch with integration into Prisma SD-WAN.
  • Next-Generation Unified SASE Agent — to simplify the IT experience with a unified, next-generation agent for SASE use cases.
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) — to broaden the global reach of Prisma SASE and build on the ability to deliver cloud resiliency and industry-leading uptime.

“Our long-standing collaboration with Palo Alto Networks helps organizations across the world securely accelerate their cloud journey,” said Karan Batta, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “By leveraging OCI to run Prisma SASE globally, Palo Alto Networks can provide its customers with operational resiliency, high performance, and an exceptional user experience. In addition, Prisma SASE helps our customers protect their OCI environments against emerging and sophisticated cyber threats.”

CrowdStrike Delivers Industry-First Managed Security Across Third-Party Data

April 29, 2025 – CrowdStrike introduced Falcon® Adversary OverWatch Next-Gen SIEM, the first and only solution to bring managed threat hunting to third–party data. This breakthrough innovation extends the visibility of CrowdStrike’s elite threat hunters into unmanaged attack surfaces adversaries have long exploited. By leveraging third–party data ingested by Falcon® Next-Gen SIEM, CrowdStrike delivers 24/7 expert detection beyond endpoints, identity and cloud environments to stop breaches across every attack surface.  

Adversaries strike from all angles, and once inside, they move laterally with alarming speed. Groups like FAMOUS CHOLLIMA embed malicious insiders to operate from within. Others, like OPERATOR PANDA exploit unmanaged infrastructure, edge devices and siloed systems like firewalls, VPNs and email gateways – where traditional tools lack visibility. By extending managed threat hunting to third–party data, CrowdStrike delivers faster detection, broader coverage and even greater speed in stopping breaches.

“Today’s adversaries move incredibly fast and thrive on the complexity of modern environments.  They exploit the sprawl of IT and security tools to give them an edge, while defenders are left to stitch together disjointed data to try and find signals in the noise,” said Adam Meyers, head of counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike. “With OverWatch now hunting across third–party data, we’re eliminating the blind spots that adversaries rely on, delivering unified visibility, expert-led detection and the early insight needed to stop breaches.” 

Transform the SOC with Falcon Adversary OverWatch and Next-Gen SIEM

CrowdStrike’s latest innovations set a new standard for modern security operations. Powered by the AI-native CrowdStrike Falcon® cybersecurity platform, Falcon Adversary OverWatch uses deep adversary expertise and industry-leading threat intelligence to rapidly uncover evasive threats. Falcon Next-Gen SIEM unifies native and third–party data, real-time intelligence and AI-driven automation to deliver comprehensive visibility, high-fidelity alerts and machine speed response. New innovations include:

 

  • Expert-Led Threat Hunting Across all Attack Surfaces: Integrates real-time, 24/7 threat hunting from Falcon Adversary OverWatch with first–party endpoint, identity, cloud and third–party data from Falcon Next-Gen SIEM. Expands coverage across unmanaged infrastructure that adversaries often exploit to expose hidden threats. 
  • UEBA and Case Management for Falcon Next-Gen SIEM: Analyzes user behavior with advanced machine learning to uncover insider threats and stealthy adversaries once they’re on the network. With AI-driven risk scoring, entity resolution and automated workflows, security teams can reduce false positives, connect related activities across data sources and investigate in a centralized platform to respond faster.
  • Unified Identity Security and Next-Gen SIEM: The powerful combination of Falcon® Identity Protection and Falcon Next-Gen SIEM enables security teams to detect and prioritize identity-based threats in real time, while Falcon Fusion SOAR automates Active Directory actions – like disabling compromised accounts and MFA enforcement – to respond at machine speed.
  • CrowdStrike Pulse Services: To help customers drive SOC transformation, CrowdStrike Pulse Services reduces active risk with targeted offerings such as ransomware readiness planning, high-value asset protection strategies and cyber resiliency uplift. Delivered through modular, expert-led engagements, Pulse helps teams improve response times and build more resilient operations.

CrowdStrike Unveils AI Innovations to Advance Next-Gen SOC

CrowdStrike unveiled Charlotte AI Agentic Response and Charlotte AI Agentic Workflows, marking a leap forward in modern SOC operations. Combined with the previously announced Charlotte AI Agentic Detection Triage, Charlotte AI transcends “ask-and-respond” copilots, delivering autonomous reasoning and action on first- and third-party data. The AI-native CrowdStrike Falcon® platform is now cybersecurity’s intelligent reasoning AI platform, drawing conclusions without human prompts and taking action with bounded autonomy.

Building on Charlotte AI innovation, CrowdStrike extends the power of agentic AI to cybersecurity services. Falcon® Complete Next-Gen MDR with Charlotte AI utilizes the triage decisions of CrowdStrike’s elite analysts to accelerate investigations – creating a powerful, one-of-a-kind feedback loop that supercharges human and AI performance. The winning combination of CrowdStrike’s Charlotte AI agentic model, Next-Gen MDR and CDR, as well as the underlying Falcon platform, delivers the industry’s most advanced AI-native SOC. For the first time, security teams can combine AI-powered real-time detection, expert-informed investigation and automated response within one native architecture. From analyst productivity to full-cycle response, CrowdStrike is redefining how AI protects the modern enterprise. 

“There’s a profound difference between adding AI features and fundamentally transforming how cybersecurity works. Charlotte AI goes beyond augmenting humans with suggestions – it actively investigates, reasons and responds autonomously within expert-defined guardrails,” said George Kurtz, founder and CEO of CrowdStrike. “Our agentic AI innovation represents a fundamental shift from reactive to proactive security – furthering CrowdStrike’s mission of stopping breaches.”

 New Innovations: 

Charlotte AI Agentic Response: Exponentially increases analyst productivity by automatically asking and answering the investigative questions a seasoned security analyst would pose, accelerating root cause analysis, mapping lateral movement and guiding next steps. This translates to hours of time saved weekly across repetitive alert investigations.

 Charlotte AI Agentic Workflows: Delivered through Falcon Fusion SOAR, these drag-and-drop, LLM-powered workflows enable analysts to insert and activate AI reasoning directly within automated playbooks. For example, a workflow can automatically determine whether a device should be contained based on company policies, then generate appropriate communications for different audiences – executive summaries, technical updates or customer advisories – with automatic translation for global teams.

 Falcon Complete with Charlotte AI: Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR analysts now leverage Charlotte AI to triage alerts and accelerate analysis, combining expert human oversight with intelligent automation to stop breaches more efficiently.

 Charlotte AI Agentic Detection Triage for Identity: Now extended to Falcon® Identity Protection, allowing analysts to prioritize and act on high-risk identity threats alongside endpoint and cloud alerts, reducing noise and surfacing real attacks faster.

 Expanded Protection Across the Digital Estate

CrowdStrike also announced new Falcon platform capabilities that extend protection across critical infrastructure and enhance organizational resilience:

 Falcon® for XIoT with ExPRT.AI: Now validated by 12+ leading ICS vendors, this solution delivers real-time, adversary-driven risk insights, enabling organizations to focus on actively exploited vulnerabilities to protect operational technology and IoT systems without disruption.

CrowdStrike Pulse Services: New expert-led services help security teams operationalize agentic AI through modular engagements that assess readiness, align workflows and fine-tune policies, accelerating security maturity with targeted guidance.

Oxford International Invites Indian Students to Apply for University of Roehampton’s July 2025 Session

Bengaluru 29th April 2025: The University of Roehampton London, in collaboration with its esteemed international partner Oxford International Education Services (OIES), a division of Oxford International Education Group, rolls out admissions for the July 2025 intake across a wide range of postgraduate programmes. Courses available in this special July intake include MBA (Early Career & Healthcare Management), MSc Data Science, Cyber Security, Project Management, Digital Marketing, Banking and Finance, and Global Logistics. These programmes are designed to equip students with future-ready skills and strong industry connections in a globally competitive environment.

Situated on a picturesque 54-acre parkland campus in southwest London—just 30 minutes from Central London—the University of Roehampton offers a unique blend of serene academic surroundings and immediate access to the bustling professional landscape of the UK capital. Its modern campus boasts cutting-edge facilities while preserving the charm of traditional British architecture, making it an ideal destination for international students.

With over 180 years of academic heritage, Roehampton is celebrated for its academic excellence, inclusive community, and strong student support. It is ranked in the top 15% of universities worldwide by the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024, and consistently features among the top 10 universities in London. It also holds the distinction of being the 6th best university in the UK for student satisfaction. Home to a vibrant student body representing over 140 countries, Roehampton offers an immersive global learning experience, combining world-class teaching with real-world relevance.

Speaking on the launch of the July intake, Mohit Gambir, Managing Director of Oxford International Education Services, said, “The University of Roehampton has built a reputation for delivering quality education with strong industry links and a student-first approach. For Indian students looking to fast-track their international education, the July 2025 intake offers not just flexibility and scholarships, but access to a vibrant London campus that blends academic excellence with real-world relevance.”

Oxford International Education Services, with over 50,000 successful student admissions to date, specializes in helping universities expand their global footprint and connect students to direct degree programmes, vocational training, and pathway options.

The induction for the July 2025 intake begins from 25 June 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to take a virtual tour of the campus and learn more about student life at Roehampton by visiting the university’s official website.

India’s job market stays strong, eyes freshers and tech for FY26

Bangalore, 29th April 2025: India’s job market is ending the financial year on a high note. Despite global headwinds, employers in India are doubling down on hiring, especially tech talent and freshers. According to Indeed’s latest ‘Hiring Tracker’, 82% of employers actively hired between January and March 2025, and increased overall hiring by 3% compared to October and December 2024. 

“The job market is evolving, and employers are moving ahead with cautious optimism. While fresher hiring remains steady and tech roles continue to grow, especially in areas like software development, data analytics, and AI, there’s also a clear need to bridge the skills gap. As we enter FY26, companies are being more deliberate about who they hire and how they build future-ready teams,” said Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India

Freshers take the spotlight as FY26 planning kicks off

As companies locked in budgets and future-facing teams, fresh graduates emerged as the most in-demand talent, accounting for 53% of new hires last quarter. The top roles driving this demand were Software Developers (29%), Data Analysts and Scientists (26%), and Sales Executives (23%).

Employers are increasingly seeking freshers trained in Data Analytics, AI/ML, Cybersecurity, and Software Development — indicating that India’s hiring momentum is closely tied to the tech and AI boom. From AI developers to Cybersecurity specialists, employers are building teams that can future-proof their business, and freshers are leading the charge.

The skills gap challenge: Fresh talent, but not job-ready

Despite a strong interest in fresher hiring, many employers are grappling with a persistent skills gap. 38% of employers cited this as their top concern. While fresh graduates bring enthusiasm and adaptability, many lack the hands-on, practical experience that’s essential in today’s fast-evolving workplace.

Beyond technical skills, employers are also finding that new hires often fall short of workplace readiness. From communication to collaboration and time management, 27% of employers report that freshers need more support to adjust to professional environments. On top of that, 25% struggle with bridging the gap between candidate expectations and what companies can realistically offer, especially when it comes to compensation.

Yet, most companies still view freshers as long-term investments. What’s clear is that employers are becoming more discerning. They’re looking for candidates who not only have the right technical know-how in areas like AI, software development, and data analytics but also demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn on the job.

Freshers’ viewpoint: High hopes, tough competition

On the other side of the table, freshers are navigating their own set of challenges. While many are eager to upskill and prove themselves, competitive pay remains a sticking point. A large share of job seekers say they’re unwilling to settle for low compensation, and employers are taking notice. In fact, 72% of employers say fresher salaries have increased year-on-year. However, nearly 60% admit that the hike has been modest, capped at 5%.

Adding to the pressure, 39% of freshers say the sheer volume of competition makes it hard to get noticed.

“For every job today, there are six freshers vying for the role, and in tech, seven freshers compete for one role. That’s a sign of a young, ambitious workforce ready to work. Now, it’s time for the ecosystem to rise to the challenge. With the right push from new-age tech companies and innovation-led sectors like AI and cybersecurity, we have a real opportunity to turn this energy into impact,” added Mr Kumar.

Employers came close to meeting the salary expectations of the class of 2025 this quarter, offering an average starting salary of ₹3,50,000 LPA against freshers’ hopes of ₹3,80,000 LPA. Around 58% of employers offered packages in the ₹300,000 – 500,000 LPA range, aligning closely with the expectations of 67%. However, despite this near-match, 72% of freshers said they would not compromise on their salary demands, even if attractive learning or growth opportunities were available, underlining once again that pay remains their top priority.

This disconnect between employer expectations and job seeker needs is shaping how talent engages with opportunities. In fact, 62% of job seekers say they are more likely to apply to roles that clearly outline compensation, responsibilities, and work culture.. For employers looking to attract top talent, greater transparency and well-defined expectations may be key to building a stronger talent pipeline in FY26.

Outlook for FY26

The outlook for FY26 is cautiously optimistic. Over 34% of employers surveyed for Indeed Hiring Tracker Q4 FY’25 said they plan to hire freshers in the coming April-June 2025 quarter. Demand remains strong for fresh graduates and tech talent, especially in areas like AI, data, and cybersecurity.

Remo D’Souza Teases Major Twists on Realme Hip Hop India S2

MUMBAI, India–April 29, 2025: Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, has been topping the charts with India’s first and only hip–hop-based dance reality show, Realme Hip Hop India Season 2. With raw talent, fierce battles, and mind-blowing performances, the show has been making waves week after week, even consistently securing its spot in the Top 3 of Ormax’s ‘Most-watched Streaming Originals in India’ list. Steering the ship this season is the dance maestro Remo D‘Souza, along with the ever-glamorous Malaika Arora. Together, they continue to mentor and encourage contestants through each battle and beat. As the stakes climb higher, the duo teases even more unexpected twists in the upcoming episodes that promise to leave viewers floored.

Each episode of Realme Hip Hop India Season 2 is packed with unpredictable challenges that push contestants beyond their comfort level. Talking about what lies ahead in the coming episodes, Remo D’Souza shared, “All I can say is, expect the unexpected. This season, we’ve added a few curveballs and introduced new layers that do not just test contestants’ technique but also their mental and emotional strength. There are rounds that challenge their ability to adapt, improvise, and collaborate on the spot. From surprise eliminations to high-stakes dance-offs and fresh entries that shake up the competition, it’s going to keep both the dancers and the viewers on their toes.”

Malaika Arora echoed his sentiment, adding, “Let’s just say this season of Realme Hip Hop India is far from predictable. From the first episode itself, we, as judges, have been equally surprised as the contestants.  Every challenge, every twist, and every new round is designed to push them harder, challenging their strength, imagination, and will. In each challenge, the task is different, and before you even think you’re onto it, something new catches you off guard. They’re thrilling, emotional, and will keep your mind guessing every single step of the way.”

 As rivalries heat up and emotions run higher than ever, Realme Hip Hop India Season 2 continues to rewrite the rules of competition. New episodes drop every Thursday, only on Amazon MX Player, accessible on the Amazon Shopping App, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Connected TVs.