68% of Indian professionals are in search of new jobs

New data regarding the careers and salaries of professionals in India has emerged. According to a survey by Business Standard, 68% of Indian professionals are looking for new jobs. The findings of this survey indicate that professionals do not merely want to change jobs, but they also expect a significant increase in salary. The survey revealed that 51% of professionals expect a salary hike of more than 31%. Additionally, the findings of this survey also suggest that professionals do not prefer a uniform workplace arrangement.

On the other hand, discussions regarding salary goals and standard of living for youth securing new jobs have also intensified. According to a report by Aaj Kal, a 22-year-old graduate from Kolkata has expressed his dilemma on social media regarding what the salary should be in a first job. This youth posted on the social media platform Reddit's r/personalfinanceindia, where he questioned how much money is sufficient to live a comfortable life across India. This youth completed his BTech in the Information Technology (IT) sector in the year 2026 and is currently searching for his first job.

Clarifying his requirements, the youth stated that he is not interested in spending excessively on clothes, shoes, expensive watches, or expensive food. His preference lies in gaming and the use of computers. He wants to earn in such a way that he can fulfill his hobbies, travel occasionally, and simultaneously save money for the future. He questioned how much income is necessary to fulfill hobbies and savings after deducting rent and daily expenses.

In the post, the youth mentioned an acquaintance of his who earns ₹21 lakh annually in Bengaluru. This individual studied at Manipal University and recently went to an exhibition to purchase a fountain pen worth ₹30,000. The acquaintance told the youth that some people in the IT sector in Bengaluru can earn up to ₹3 lakh per month and generally, people also increase their spending according to their income. This compelled the youth to think about the salary target for his first job.

Reddit users also gave various opinions on this subject. One user stated that the need for money is different for every individual. They further added that IT professionals earning ₹3 lakh per month are not common and such people fall into the top earners. According to another user, for a middle-class family, it may be possible to manage expenses, fulfill hobbies, travel occasionally, and save with a monthly income of ₹1 lakh. However, some people believe that no matter how much the income is, a person's needs and desires keep increasing constantly.

From this entire discussion, it becomes clear that the meaning of a good salary can be different for every individual. For some, managing household expenses is most important, while others wish to fulfill their hobbies along with savings and investments. In this context, how much salary should be received in the first job also depends on the city, cost of living, and personal requirements.

From a statistical perspective, this wave of job changes and expectations of salary hikes among Indian professionals is a reflection of the changing economic structure. On one hand, 68% of people are looking for new opportunities, while on the other hand, deep concern and planning are seen among the youth regarding the salary of the first job. This discussion also shows that today's youth value not just livelihood, but also quality of life and hobbies.