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Google leans on returning talent to strengthen AI push in 2025
Google is increasingly turning to its former employees to meet rising demand for advanced artificial intelligence (AI)skills, with returning professionals making up a notable share of its AI hires in 2025. Nearly one-fifth of new recruits for critical AI roles this year are alumni who previously worked at the company, reflecting a deliberate shift in [...] The post Google leans on returning talent to strengthen AI push in 2025 appeared first on HR Katha .
CaratLane builds HR by asking what employees struggle with
Most fast-growing companies approach talent management predictably. As headcount expands, HR departments implement structured frameworks borrowed from larger organisations—standardised performance reviews, formal career paths, branded leadership programmes. Systems arrive to manage complexity that growth has created. CaratLane, a Tata-owned online and omnichannel jewellery retailer employing thousands across design, technology, retail, and manufacturing, claims a different [...] The post CaratLane builds HR by asking what employees struggle with appeared first on HR Katha .
Beatification: Elevating role models at work
What is beatification? Beatification, in HR terms, is the process of recognising and honouring employees who exemplify company values—elevating them as role models to inspire the wider workforce. By putting certain individuals on a pedestal, organisations signal what behaviours, achievements and attitudes they value most. The term comes from the Catholic Church, where beatification means [...] The post Beatification: Elevating role models at work appeared first on HR Katha .
Prateek Shrivastav is head-HR, PCB, R&D, organisation effectiveness COE, Unilever
Unilever has elevated Prateek Shrivastav to head-human resources, personal care business, R&D, and organisation effectiveness CoE. Till now, he was head HR, R&D, organisation effectiveness, workforce transformation and people analytics Shrivastav’s association with Unilever began 11 years ago when he joined as a management trainee under the Unilever Future Leaders Programme, back in May of [...] The post Prateek Shrivastav is head-HR, PCB, R&D, organisation effectiveness COE, Unilever appeared first on HR Katha .
Marico promotes Arnab Das to EVP-HR, India business
Arnab Das has been elevated from head HR-India business to executive vice president-human resources, India business, Marico. Das has spent 15 years with the company, having joined way back in 2011, as manager-remuneration and HR operations. Just over four years into this role, he was promoted to ‘Marico Young Board Member’ in 2015. April of [...] The post Marico promotes Arnab Das to EVP-HR, India business appeared first on HR Katha .
Sarang Brahme begins 2nd innings at Capgemini, as director-talent attraction
Sarang Brahme has joined Capgemini for a second stint. While he was programme manager-candidate experience and employer branding when he moved on from Capgemini in 2022, he has now returned as director-talent attraction. Backed by over two decades of experience, Sarang Brahme is a commerce graduate who began his professional journey as executive-Web promotions at [...] The post Sarang Brahme begins 2nd innings at Capgemini, as director-talent attraction appeared first on HR Katha .
Clariant elevates Priya Thaman as CHRO
Clariant has named Priya Thaman as chief human resources officer (CHRO), following her tenure in the role on an interim basis. The confirmation comes after a phase focused on execution, continuity, and progress across the company’s global people and culture agenda. During the interim period, Thaman worked closely with CEO Conrad Keijzer, the executive leadership [...] The post Clariant elevates Priya Thaman as CHRO appeared first on HR Katha .
LTIMindtree appoints Antony Dinesh as head-HR for the Americas
LTIMindtree has roped in Antony Dinesh as its new head-human resources for the Americas. The move comes as the IT services company continues to expand its footprint across North and South America, a region that remains critical to its global growth and client-delivery strategy. Based in New Jersey, Dinesh will spearhead the people function across [...] The post LTIMindtree appoints Antony Dinesh as head-HR for the Americas appeared first on HR Katha .
herSTORY: Rajita Singh, CPO-India, head-HR, global delivery
The warrior princess Known to be fearless, Rajita Singh learnt to speak up, stand her ground and take on tough conversations early on. Little wonder that she was called Xena the Warrior Princess. And yes, she wore the title like a crown, although she wondered whether she needed to loosen up or soften a bit [...] The post herSTORY: Rajita Singh, CPO-India, head-HR, global delivery appeared first on HR Katha .
Saint-Gobain Group in India has a new head of talent acquisition in Akash KJ
Akash K J is now head of talent acquisition, Saint-Gobain Group in India. He was earlier head of human resources, Saint-Gobain Weber India, from October of 2023 to June of 2025. This alumnus of the University of Madras and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM_A), interned with Radisson Blu, Minda SAI, and Bajaj Auto [...] The post Saint-Gobain Group in India has a new head of talent acquisition in Akash KJ appeared first on HR Katha .
New Balance onboards Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor as its first Indian brand ambassador
New Balance, the global sportswear brand, has onboarded Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor as its first Indian brand ambassador as it continues to expand in the Indian market. "Janhvi Kapoor’s rise in the film and fashion world exemplifies individuality, resilience, and a fearless commitment to personal expression. Beyond her fearless independence, Janhvi’s versatility as an actor, her influence among youth, and her advocacy for self-confidence and authenticity perfectly align with New Balance’s mission of empowering people to own their unique journeys on and off the field," the company said in a statement. Speaking about the relationship Janhvi Kapoor said, “I’ve always admired New Balance for its dedication to innovation and celebrating individuality. It’s a brand that encourages you to own your story, and that’s something I deeply connect with. For me, fashion and fitness have always been about staying true to yourself — New Balance allows me to express that confidence and authenticit...
JSW Group reinforces HR leadership with key appointments
JSW Group has announced significant leadership appointments within its human resources function as part of its broader effort to build a resilient, future-fit organisation. The diversified conglomerate has strengthened its people leadership to support scale, performance and long-term capability across its businesses. The Group has appointed Sandeep Batra as president and chief human resources officer [...] The post JSW Group reinforces HR leadership with key appointments appeared first on HR Katha .
Women, early-career talent fuel 29% rise in job applications in 2025
Job applications in India surged 29% year-on-year in 2025, with over 9 crore applications recorded. This growth was fueled by increased participation from women and early-career professionals, alongside expanding service-led hiring and the mainstream adoption of digital recruitment tools. Women's applications saw a significant 36% rise, particularly in finance, administrative, customer experience, and healthcare support roles.
Hiring gains breadth as applications rise across India's cities and sectors
Job applications on Apna.co surged 29% year-on-year in 2025, driven by increased participation from women and early-career professionals. Service-led hiring expanded across all city tiers, with employers posting 1.4 million jobs. Women's applications jumped 36%, and median salaries rose 22%, indicating improved labor force participation and a shift towards formal employment.
Bharti Airtel appoints Shashwat Sharma as new CEO in top-level management changes
Bharti Airtel's management changes are effective from 1 January 2026 for a period of five years, subject to shareholder approval.
India streamlines visa processes for foreign professionals, engineers needed by domestic firms
The move is expected to help companies that import machinery from countries such as China
Insurance year-ender 2025: GST relief lifts demand, but cost pressures set the agenda for 2026
India’s insurance sector saw steady premium growth in 2025, driven by GST removal, digital onboarding, and regulatory reforms, but faces margin pressure from medical inflation and competition.
End of ‘right to work’? Critics warn VB-G RAM G dilutes employment guarantee framework
Opposition leaders and rights activists caution that the proposed VB-G RAM G Bill, which replaces MGNREGA, could weaken India’s rural safety net by shifting funding responsibility to states and moving away from a legally enforceable, demand-driven employment guarantee, despite higher promised workdays.
SBI YONO 2.0 Launch: State Bank of India Reportedly Targets 20 Crore Users, Plans to Hire 6,500 Staff
SBI YONO 2.0 was launched in India on Monday by the State Bank of India (SBI). The new platform integrates the financial institution's mobile banking app and its internet banking portal into a single backend architecture, allowing it to share resources while offering seamless switching between the two. Additionally, it also has enhanced security features and simpler KYC and e-KYC processes. This comes nearly eight years after the launch of YONO, SBI's first banking platform.
Unemployment rate falls to 4.7% in November, lowest since April: Government survey
The PLFS stated that the overall Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 55.8% in November, the highest level recorded since April.
India Inc sees surge in professional CEOs earning million-dollar salaries
Amid growing global business uncertainty, Indian companies are increasingly appointing professional CEOs to lead growth, offering million-dollar salaries to navigate complex challenges. In BSE 200 firms, the number of professional CEOs earning over $1 million (₹8 crore) rose nearly 71% to 145 in FY25, while promoter-led CEOs remained largely stable at 65.
Delhi HC upholds CAT orders allowing B.Ed. (Special Education) candidates for TGT/PGT posts
The Delhi High Court has declined to interfere with a series of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) orders that recognised candidates holding B.Ed. (Special Education) as eligible for appointment to Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) and Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) posts, noting that the recruitment advertisements never excluded them from consideration.
SPJIMR students bag highest offer of Rs 75 lakh per annum, average salary of Rs 33.75 lakh per annum
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's SPJIMR has announced impressive placement results for its Class of 2026. Students secured an average salary of Rs 33.75 lakh per annum. The institute reported 100% placements for its largest batch. Consulting emerged as the top recruiting domain. The highest salary offered was Rs 75 lakh per annum.