Skills over degrees: A major shift is visible in the Indian blue-collar job market; now, you can get a job even without being a '10th pass'..

A significant shift is underway in India's blue-collar and grey-collar hiring landscape. Employers are now prioritizing practical skills, work readiness, and on-the-job experience over formal education or degrees. According to a recently released report, candidates without any formal educational qualifications are now being preferred in several key sectors. The report, "The Ascendancy of Skills in Indian Blue-Collar Hiring," by the blue and grey-collar hiring platform WorkIndia, reveals the surprising fact that "less than 10th grade" education has emerged as the most preferred qualification in job postings. This marks a shift from traditional education-based filters to skills-based hiring.

How is the country's labor market changing?
India's labor market is undergoing a significant transformation. According to Nilesh Dungarwal, Co-founder and CEO of WorkIndia, employers are now prioritizing skills, reliability, and job readiness over formal degrees. Explaining this shift, Dungarwal said, "This transformation is making blue-collar hiring far more inclusive, creating meaningful opportunities for millions of Indians who may not have formal education but possess the skills necessary to power the country's economic engine."

What is the role of metros and smaller cities in hiring?
An analysis of hiring data reveals that blue-collar job creation is no longer limited to large metropolitan areas. While Delhi currently leads with 26 percent of job postings, demand is rapidly shifting towards Tier-II and Tier-III cities. This decentralization is evidence that blue-collar job opportunities are becoming more accessible to workers across the country, with local opportunities emerging even in smaller towns. The report is based on data and inputs from 992,213 employers and 10,176,783 employees on the platform during 2025. What does the report say about regional trends and the female workforce?
The report also shares significant data on gender-based hiring patterns across different sectors:

Delivery Sector: This sector continues to show the highest preference for male candidates.

Telecalling: The telecalling sector leads in the recruitment of female candidates.

Operational skills have become the primary basis for hiring in high-volume and frontline sectors.

What will change on the employment front in 2026?
WorkIndia estimates that as companies expand their business operations in 2026, their focus will be on speed, efficiency, and workforce flexibility. This new model of blue-collar hiring in India is not only breaking traditional employment norms but also opening new avenues for skilled workers. The removal of the formal education barrier is giving a large segment of the country's population a chance to participate in the mainstream economy.

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