By Admin 
Degree vs Skill: Whereas earlier getting a good job was considered to mean obtaining a degree from a big college, now the world of jobs is changing rapidly. New technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and changing industry needs have also changed the way companies recruit. Now it is not only seen from which college the candidate has studied, but it has become more important that how well he can do the actual work. This is the reason why today companies have started giving more importance to the skill, project experience and practical knowledge of the candidate along with degree. Recent surveys and industry reports also point towards this change. In such a situation, let us know what is changing in the world of employment.
What is changing in the world of jobs?
According to hiring platforms and industry reports, about 80 percent of employers in India are now adopting the skills-first hiring model. This means that during recruitment, the technical ability, practical skills and experience of the candidate are being considered first, whereas the degree is not getting the same priority as before. In another survey, 82 percent of Indian professionals agreed that now companies are giving more importance to candidates with the right skills than degrees. Now, to get a job, it is not enough to just complete studies, but learning the necessary skills has also become equally important. In 2026, many companies in India are adopting hybrid evaluation model for recruitment. In this model, both degree and skill are given importance, but both have different roles.
What does the degree prove?
The degree shows that the candidate has completed his studies from a recognized institute. This is considered to be proof of his basic knowledge, discipline towards studies and ability to learn for a long time. Degree is still a part of initial screening in many companies.
Why are skills becoming more important?
In the last step of recruitment, companies see how well the candidate can actually do the work. He should have such skills that he can handle the work from day one. Therefore, now the importance of technical ability, project experience and practical knowledge is continuously increasing.
Also read – Job Interview Tips: What is the biggest reason for getting rejected in a job interview, what do HR professionals say?
What came out in the report?
According to the 2026 India Employability Report, about 68 percent of India’s startups and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) have removed the minimum CGPA condition during recruitment. Instead, priority is now being given to skill based assessments and tests. This means that now good marks alone are not a guarantee of a job. Companies are paying more attention to testing the skills of the candidate.
Which skills are in increasing demand the most?
In today’s time, companies are giving priority to such candidates who have technical skills like Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, cyber security, digital marketing, cloud computing and design. Along with this, the demand for information related to sustainability (ESG) and soft skills like communication, problem solving, teamwork as well as taking right decisions is also increasing rapidly. In the changing job market, there are more employment opportunities for candidates who have technical knowledge along with practical experience and strong soft skills.
Also read – Recruitment on many posts including SI, Constable, Jail Warder, more than 7 thousand posts are being filled in this state.
Education Loan Information:
Calculate Education Loan EMI