Archives 2024

ISRO on Monday successfully launched its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer several insights into celestial objects like black holes.

ISRO’s ever reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its C58 mission, placed the primary X-Ray Polarimeter satellite XPoSat into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit as intended after lifting off at the pre-fixed time of 9.10 am from the first launch pad in Sriharikota.

As the 25-hour countdown concluded, the 44.4-metre-tall rocket lifted off majestically with thunderous applause from spectators who had descended here in large numbers at this spaceport situated about 135 km east of Chennai.

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space.

According to ISRO, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the space agency to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.

The X-Ray polarisation serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for examining the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources.

The primary payload of XPoSat is POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays) which is designed to measure polarimetry parameters by Raman Research Institute and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) built by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. The Mission life is about five years.

ISRO will also launch the state-of-the-art joint venture satellite with NASA — NISAR — in the first quarter of 2024. Built at a cost of $1.5 billion (nearly Rs. 12,500 crore), NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is targeted for launch onboard India’s GSLV rocket.

Data from NISAR will be highly suitable for studying the land ecosystems, deformation of solid earth, mountain and polar cryosphere, sea ice, and coastal oceans on a regional to global scale.

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XPoSat Mission launch: In yet another proud moment created by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a new satellite has been launched successfully. This project, dubbed as the XPoSat Mission was launched successfully today, the first day of 2024. And, even as ISRO ended 2023 with a huge number of successes, the most notable of them being the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the Aditya-L1 mission, the space agency registered yet another historic triumph by launching this critically important satellite. The satellite was hoisted into orbit aboard the PSLV-C58 rocket. The planned lifetime of XPoSat mission is about 5 years, according to ISRO. Among various other objectives, it will also study X-ray pulsars, black hole binaries, neutron stars, and Magnetars.

The launch came after an exhaustive 25-hour countdown that had commenced on Sunday at 8.10 am. ISRO had scheduled the lift-off at 9.10 am from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, located about 135 kms east of Chennai, on January 1.

Significantly, this was the 60th mission for the PSLV-C58 rocket. It carried as many as 10 other satellites that were to be deployed in low earth orbits.

The spacecraft carried two scientific payloads:

1.POLIX: This is an X-ray Polarimeter for astronomical observations in the energy band of 8-30 keV. The instrument is made of a collimator, a scatterer and four X-ray proportional counter detectors that surrounds the scatterer. This is the first payload in the medium X-ray energy band dedicated for polarimetry measurements.

2. XSPECT: It is an X-ray SPECtroscopy and Timing payload onboard XPoSat, which can provide fast timing and good spectroscopic resolution in soft X-rays. XSPECT would observe several types of sources viz X-ray pulsars, black hole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron star (NS) in LMXBs, AGNs and Magnetars.

2023 was all about artificial intelligence, chatbots and then some more AI. It is quite likely that 2024 could shape up on the same lines in tech town. Big tech companies have loaded their arsenal with AI tools and will unleash them in 2024. But it won’t be restricted to AI as smart glasses, headsets all will make a splash in the coming year.

Glass half full: See it with a tint of tech

Granted, smart glasses aren’t really new but the refinements expected in 2024 could make them something to watch out for.A lot of brands have experimented with smart glasses. There’s Amazon Echo Frames that has the power of Alexa whereas Meta’s partnership with Ray-Ban has been going strong. The Ray-Bans have a 12MP camera which allows you capture images and record videos. You can make calls, listen to music and do more with just the glasses.

Fitness rings: One ring to monitor it all

Fitness rings are the next evolution of wearable tech, ditching the wristband and still have the ability to track your every step, jump, and shimmy. Features like personalised workout routines, sleep monitoring, and much more. Domestic bigwigs like Noise, Boat have already thrown their hat in the ring (pun unintended) and we could see fitness rings become a common sight in 2024.

The end of passwords?

Yes, 2024 may just end up being the year when you finally say goodbye to the ever-infuriating password. Google has already introduced passkeys as has Apple. It is a matter of time before apps, websites and other services adopt passwords. High time as remembering that special character, symbol, upper-case, lower-case, more than 8 character and whatnot is getting taxing with every app you download.

Head (set) and go

Apple’s next big thing — Vision Pro — arrives early 2024 and is set to usher in a new era of computing. Whether the ‘masses’ embrace it or not is secondary but you can guarantee that dozens of Chinese knockoffs will arrive and could just end up making headsets more mainstream. Meta’s Quest headset is also set to get an overhaul in 2024 and that’s also because it faces immense pressure from Apple Vision Pro. The Vision Pro is exorbitantly priced — $3,499 — and will initially be made available only in the US but its impact will be soon worldwide on multiple levels.

AI: Of course, we had to include it

Artificial intelligence is no longer the stuff of sci-fi movies. In 2024, it will end infiltrating our lives in almost every walk of life. 2023 was perhaps just a trailer and the full movie is set to be released in 2024. Text to video is the one big leap AI will make in 2024. ChatGPT, Bard, Grok (yes, watch out for Elon Musk’s AI tool) and we will see a few more take big strides in 2024. AI will be the composer crafting the tech industry’s soundtrack in 2024

A new low-cost sensor made of metal oxide nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite can detect formalin adulteration in fishes at room temperature in a non-invasive way. The sensor shows long-term stability with a low detection limit.
Food adulteration is the practice of adding illegal or harmful substances to food to make it appear more appealing or to increase its shelf life.Formaldehyde is a colourless, pungent gas that is used in a variety of industrial processes, including as a preservative in some foods, commonly in fish in developing countries. However, the use of formaldehyde in food is illegal in many countries, as it is a known carcinogen.
Commercial formalin sensors for fish are primarily electrochemical-based or colorimetric-based. Electrochemical sensors are extensively used but are expensive. On the other hand, calorimetric sensors are less expensive. But both methods are invasive in nature. Moreover, low-level detection and selective detection are two major issues with these sensors. The development of 2D materials-based gas sensors has created a new avenue of effective detection of toxic vapors at room temperature. These sensors have the potential to detect the formalin evaporated from adulterated food products.
Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics Laboratory, headed by Dr. Hemen Kr. Kalita, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Guwahati University, Assam has developed a cost-effective formalin sensor using tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite that can effectively detect the presence of formalin in adulterated fishes.
Graphene oxide (GO), the oxidized form of graphene, exhibits high solution processability and ease of chemical modification with other materials such as metals, metal oxides, or polymers. However, the low electrical conductivity of GO posed a challenge and the scientists overcome this by developing the tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite (rGO- SnO2).
While reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been used to detect various toxic gases and VOCs, tin oxide (SnO2) has been extensively investigated for formaldehyde detection in pristine form and by incorporating it with various compounds, including graphene, due to its high stability and high sensitivity toward low concentrations of formaldehyde.
The researchers synthesized graphene oxide (GO) through process called wet chemical approach and tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite (rGO- SnO2) was synthesized by hydrothermal route followed by calcination of the obtained product. They found that the sensor made of tin oxide decorated reduced graphene oxide effectively sensed formaldehyde vapor at room temperature.
The sensor has been tested for adulterated fish at lab scale as well on fish available in the fish markets of the Guwahati region. The research for this supported by DST-PURSE (Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence) was published in the journal ACS Appl. Nano Mater. It was observed that the sensor could detect the presence of formalin in many fish sample units that are imported from regions outside the state of Assam. The crucial importance of this work is the non-invasive detection of formalin.
The designing of the prototype is in process in the lab which may be regarded as a breakthrough in the field of food adulteration. The prototype of this sensor will open new avenues for the development of affordable formalin sensor devices.

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Xiaomi held its electric vehicle technology launch event and officially unveiled its first ever EV car. During the launch, the Chinese smartphone maker announced EV’s five core technologies – E-Motor, Battery, Xiaomi Die-Casting, Xiaomi Pilot Autonomous Driving, and Smart Cabin. Xiaomi EV‘s first product – the highly anticipated Xiaomi SU7, has been “pre-launched,” with its design, performance, range, safety, and other details making global debut.Positioned as a “full-size high-performance eco-technology sedan,” Xiaomi SU7 aims to push the limits of performance, ecosystem, and mobile smart space. Here are the five core EV tech from Xiaomi that are set to debut with the company’s first-ever vehicle.
Smart electric vehicles are trending towards integration of the automotive industry with consumer electronics and intelligent ecosystems. Integrating full-stack technologies is a necessary step for the industry’s evolution. Lei Jun stated that by integrating industrial manufacturing, smart software, and AI, Xiaomi EV will completely redefine the automotive industry, marking a significant leap in its technological landscape.
Xiaomi EV is committed to a bottom-up approach, starting from developing foundational core technologies and in-depth independent research in key technology sectors. Xiaomi EV has invested over 10 billion CNY in the initial research and development phase. The R&D team comprises over 3,400 engineers and over a thousand technical experts in critical domains both in China and abroad. This conference unveiled breakthroughs in the development of Xiaomi EV’s five core technologies. In key sectors such as E-Motor, Battery, Xiaomi Die-Casting, Xiaomi Pilot Autonomous Driving, and Smart Cabin, numerous Xiaomi EV’s self-developed technologies have become first-of-kind globally or domestically.
E-motor
At the conference, Xiaomi showcased its independently developed and manufactured E-motors, HyperEngine V6/V6s, and HyperEngine V8s. The three E-motors, employing innovative technologies such as Bidirectional Full Oil Cooling Technology, S-shaped oil circuit design, and staggered silicon steel laminations design, rival the performance of traditional large V8 and V6 powertrains from the era of internal combustion engines, pushing the industry’s performance boundaries to new heights.
Notably, HyperEngine V8s, with a maximum speed of 27,200 rpm, 425kW output, and 635N·m peak torque, sets a global record for E-motors. To enable the industry-exceeding standard of 27,200 rpm, HyperEngine V8s employ the industry’s first ultra high-strength silicon steel plate with a tensile strength of 960MPa, boasting strength that surpasses mainstream industry offerings by more than two-times.
For cooling design, HyperEngine V8s adopts a Bidirectional Full Oil Cooling Technology and an S-shaped oil circuit design. For the stator, a dual-cycle oil circuit is employed, increasing the heat dissipation area by 100% and achieving a cooling effect of up to 20°C. Meanwhile, the rotor section utilises a patented S-shaped oil circuit, increasing the heat dissipation area by 50% and achieving a cooling effect of up to 30°C. Additionally, the stator silicon steel laminations feature a “step-like” staggered design, further increasing the effective heat dissipation area by an additional 7%.
HyperEngine V8s is in development and set to be mass-produced and implemented in Xiaomi EVs in 2025.
Xiaomi’s self-developed HyperEngine V6/V6s E-motors boast an industry-leading rotational speed of 21,000rpm, surpassing the most powerful mass-produced electric motor globally. Among them, the HyperEngine V6 super motor has a maximum power of 299PS and a maximum torque of 400N·m, while the HyperEngine V6s super motor achieves a maximum power of 374PS and a maximum torque of 500 Nm.
Battery
Xiaomi has also self-developed CTB Integrated Battery Technology through innovative Inverted Cell Technology, multifunctional elastic interlayer, and a minimalistic wiring system; it features a battery integration efficiency of 77.8%, the highest of CTB batteries worldwide, a 24.4% overall performance improvement, and a height reduction of 17mm, with a maximum battery capacity of up to 150 kWh and theoretical CLTC recharge range exceeding 1200 km.
To ensure stable performance during long-range travel, Xiaomi employs industry-leading safety design standards. The downward-facing pressure relief valve swiftly releases energy in extreme situations, maximising passenger cabin safety. A 14-layer robust physical protection system includes three layers of top support, three layers of side protection, and eight layers of bottom protection.
In terms of heat dissipation, a dual-side water cooling solution implements heat dissipation plates on both long sides of the battery cells, achieving a cooling area of 7.8m²—four times the industry average.
The sides of the battery cells feature 165 pieces of aerogel insulation material, capable of resisting temperatures up to 1000°C.
Xiaomi EV is equipped with a self-developed Battery Management System (BMS) with ASIL-D, the highest functional safety level. This BMS includes three independent thermal runaway monitors and alarms, along with an around-the-clock early warning system. Each Xiaomi battery boasts industry-leading reliability and undergoes the most stringent battery safety tests, including 1050+ safety verifications and 96 times the international standard of durability testing duration.
Xiaomi Die-Casting
Xiaomi has unveiled its self-developed Xiaomi Die-Casting T9100 cluster and proprietary die-casting alloy material, Xiaomi Titans Metal, making it the only domestic automaker simultaneously self-researching both large die-casting and materials.
Xiaomi Die-Casting T9100 covers an area of 840m², with a total weight of 1050t and locking force reaching 9100t. Xiaomi has developed a foundation model quality judgement system that can complete inspections of individual pieces within 2 seconds, offering an efficiency ten times higher than manual inspection. The application of this cluster enables a remarkable achievement for Xiaomi EV, with the rear underbody integrating 72 components into one, reducing welded joints by 840, decreasing overall car weight by 17%, and significantly reducing production hours by 45%.
In material research and development, Xiaomi has developed Xiaomi Titans Metal, a high-strength, high-resilience, heat-treated die-casting material. Xiaomi’s self-developed “Multi-Material Performance Simulation System” selects the optimal alloy formula from 10.16 million possibilities, ensuring a perfect combination of strength, resilience, and stability.
While the industry focuses on the tonnage of die-casting clamping pressure, Xiaomi is steadfastly pursuing a full-stack self-researched path. From materials and equipment clusters to finished castings. Xiaomi has completed nearly all aspects of the large die-casting industrial chain.
Xiaomi Pilot Autonomous Driving
In the field of intelligent software technology, Xiaomi has showcased its unique advantage as a global technology leader, driving the integration of the automotive and consumer electronics industries with intelligent ecosystems. In terms of autonomous driving, Xiaomi has pioneered three key technologies: Adaptive BEV Technology, Road-Mapping Foundational Model, and Super-Res Occupancy Network Technology.
Adaptive BEV Technology is an industry-leading innovation that invokes different perception algorithms based on scenarios. The perception grid has a minimum granularity of 5cm and a maximum of 20cm, with a recognition range extending from 5cm to 250m. This technology ensures wider visibility in urban scenarios, extended vision in high-speed scenarios, and more precision in parking scenarios.

The Road-Mapping Foundational Model revolutionises traditional methods of perceiving road conditions. This model not only recognizes them in real time and intelligently switches to a more reasonable driving trajectory but can also navigate smoothly in complex intersections without relying on high-definition maps thanks to learning from complex intersection scenarios and experienced driver habits.
In terms of obstacle recognition, Xiaomi’s Super-Res Occupancy Network Technology achieves unlimited categories of recognition for irregular obstacles. Compared to traditional networks that interpret obstacles as blocks, Xiaomi’s innovative vector algorithm simulates all visible objects as continuous curved surfaces. This improves recognition accuracy to as low as 0.1m. Additionally, Xiaomi’s self-developed one-click noise reduction feature eliminates the impact of rain and snow on recognition, significantly reducing the probability of misidentification.
In addition to the Road-Mapping Foundational Model, Xiaomi has also independently developed the world’s first production-ready “End-to-End Sensing and Decision-Making AI Model” for automated parking. This model allows for real-time observation and dynamic adjustment when parking in challenging scenarios, such as parking facilities that include elevators.
On the hardware front, the system is equipped with top-of-the-line configurations, including two NVIDIA Orin high-performance chips with a combined computing power of 508TOPS. Perception hardware includes one LiDAR, eleven high-definition cameras, three millimetre-wave radars, and twelve ultrasonic radars on the Xiaomi SU7 Max model. With top-tier configurations and full-stack in-house research, Xiaomi’s intelligent Autonomous Driving system is set to join the industry’s top echelon by 2024.
Smart Cabin
Xiaomi EV Smart Cabin adopts a “human-centric” interaction architecture and features a 16.1-inch 3K central console, a 56-inch HUD head-up display, a 7.1-inch rotating dashboard, and two seat-back extension mounts that allow for the mounting of two tablet devices. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 8295 in-car chip with AI computing power of up to 30 TOPS, enabling an ultimate interactive experience with the linking of five different screens.
The interactive experience of Xiaomi Smart Cabin is similar to tablets, allowing users to quickly adapt without the need for a learning curve. The system operates exceptionally smoothly, with the vehicle OS launching in 1.49 seconds after the door is unlocked. Additionally, it offers seamless cross-device connection between smartphones and the EV. For example, when the phone is brought into the cabin, the console automatically displays an icon, enabling easy access to the phone’s interface with a single touch.
The in-car OS seamlessly integrates mainstream applications, including the whole Xiaomi tablet application ecosystem, with gradual adaptation to over 5000 applications. Smartphone applications can be conveniently pinned to the car console, instantly transforming them into in-car applications. In terms of hardware integration, Xiaomi SU7 supports over 1000 Xiaomi smart home devices for effortless integration with the vehicle, enabling automatic discovery, password-free access, and the ability to set up automation scenarios, creating a robust CarIoT ecosystem. The car interior also has dedicated pin-point expansion connections, supporting plug-and-play functionality for a wide range of devices. To meet the needs of users, Xiaomi EV fully supports CarPlay, the mounting of iPads and iPad accessories, and applications on the rear extension mount.

 A new crop of artificial intelligence startups has shaken up Silicon Valley — and the wider business world — throughout this year, but there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: Big Tech still wields power. In the wake of Microsoft Corp.’s $10 billion investment in OpenAI in January, other tech giants raced to partner with leading AI startups through funding and cloud computing deals. Salesforce Inc. led a round in Hugging Face at a $4.5 billion valuation. Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. invested billions in OpenAI rival Anthropic. And Nvidia Corp. seemed to back almost every AI startup of note. 

The net effect is that many of the most promising AI startups now depend heavily on the old guard of dominant tech companies for their financing and infrastructure needs. That dynamic is starting to draw the attention of regulators.

Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI is facing fresh scrutiny from UK and US competition regulators. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission has been tasked by the Biden administration with promoting “a fair, open, and competitive AI ecosystem.” The agency has previously requested public comment about whether large cloud computing contracts are anti-competitive.

“What regulators might be concerned about is that the story of Big Tech’s strategic investment in AI startups could have the potential to become the story of Big Tech’s AI monopoly,” said Ngor Luong, senior research analyst who focuses on AI investment trends at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. 

For AI companies, these deals with Big Tech can serve as a vital lifeline. It’s extremely costly and computationally intensive to build large language models, the technology that underpins AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Large tech companies are in the small camp of businesses with the infrastructure and funds to support these efforts.

For Big Tech companies, these deals can serve as a means to cement their grip on a competitive and rapidly evolving market after some were caught off guard by the massive success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT a year ago. These partnerships can also help tech giants bolster demand for their products, whether it’s the chips sold by Nvidia or cloud-computing services from Microsoft, Google and Amazon. 

In a blog post this month, Nvidia said it has made “more than two dozen investments” this year. “These partnerships stimulate joint innovation, enhance the NVIDIA platform and expand the ecosystem,” the company said.

In addition to OpenAI, Microsoft has invested in Inflection AI and Adept, among other billion-dollar AI startups, but these deals are much smaller than the $13 billion it has committed so far to the ChatGPT-maker. 

Microsoft’s unique relationship with OpenAI was put on full display in November when Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman was briefly ousted from the startup. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella played a key role, along with other investors, in forcing the board to reverse its decision. At one point Microsoft said it would hire Altman and his OpenAI colleagues to form a new Microsoft AI unit.

In response to regulators’ concerns, Microsoft emphasized that it doesn’t own a traditional stake in OpenAI. “It is important to note that Microsoft does not own any portion of OpenAI and is simply entitled to a share of profit distributions,” the company said last week. 

While Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet have all been very active this year in backing AI startups, two other Big Tech companies have largely stayed away from such deals: Apple Corp. and Meta Platforms Inc. 

Apple Inc. has built its own large language model called Ajax and rolled out an internal chatbot dubbed “Apple GPT.” Meta, meanwhile, has an open source large language model and has struck partnerships with other Big Tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon.

Apple rolled out the iOS 17.2.1 software update last month to deliver “important bug fixes.” While rolling out the update, this is what Apple said in most countries. However, soon after the update was released, the Cupertino-based tech giant said that the update “addresses an issue that can cause the battery to drain faster under certain conditions,” in both China and Japan.Now, a new report claims that iOS 17.2.1 did more than fix a battery-draining bug.
How the latest update is affecting users
According to a report by BGR, the latest update has also broken iPhone connectivity. The report claims that some users took to Apple’s Support Community Discussions platform to complain that their iPhones were no longer able to connect with their cellular provider after their devices were updated to iOS 17.2.1.
One iPhone user the update released to fix the battery from draining was causing their battery to drain. He wrote: “After updating my iPhone last night to 17.2.1 I can no longer connect to my network provider. Tried the resets and still it does not work! Very frustrating. Trusted Apple and iPhone for years, now not so sure.”
Another user on the same site said: “After installing this update I’m facing heating and battery draining issues on my iPhone 15. Do we have any solution to this ?”
This suggests that some iPhone 15 series handsets are also suffering from the “thermal issues” and are overheating once again.
Temporary workarounds to fix the issues
The report also suggest some workaround which have been mentioned by iPhone users on the Apple Support Community Discussions website:

Users can also try installing the iOS 17.3 beta version which has also been rolled out. Since the iOS 17.3 public beta release was released before iOS 17.2.1, installing this version may rid users of the connectivity bug.
How to download the latest iOS 17.3 public beta version
Firstly, go to beta.apple.com. Tap the beta sign-up button and sign in using your Apple ID and password. Then go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap on the Beta Updates box near the top of the display. Select iOS 17 Public Beta and you will receive the latest iOS 17.3 public beta version to install.
However, before installing the iOS 17.3 public beta, users should remember that beta releases are unstable and they need to stay in the beta program until the final version of iOS 17.3 is released.

 Data-driven hiring ways, inclusive and diversity-focused practices and nearly double-digit salary hikes are likely to leave their stamp on the human resource landscape in 2024 as companies continue to scout for the right talent amid economic uncertainties. Over the last few years, the expectations of candidates and employers have changed dramatically. Employees want workplace flexibility, a greater emphasis on diversity, and impartial hiring processes, while companies are eager to provide fair, engaging and streamlined candidate experiences to attract and retain top talent, according to experts.

Designing comprehensive well-being programmes, including flexible work arrangements, inclusive culture and work-life balance policies will be among the priorities for companies.

Experts said that data-driven hiring will be one of the key trends that will redefine the HR landscape.

AI-powered tools will revolutionise HR practices by automating repetitive tasks and providing personalised employee experiences, they added.

“As we move to 2024, increased focus on managing an inclusive and equitable organisation is likely to take centre stage,” said Sudakshina Bhattacharya, President and CHRO of HDFC ERGO General Insurance.

The year 2023 was challenging in terms of employment outlook across multiple industry sectors. Edtech employees suffered the most, led by Byjus, followed by many other companies in the same vertical.

The IT sector also remained cautious, and many large companies were laying off employees all through the year. Alongside sectoral issues, many employees were also not sure of how AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) technology will impact their employment and careers.

“While the Indian economy is going strong and IT is one of the major levers for this growth, the global outlook seems a bit low currently and might impact overall hiring in the IT sector.

“However, an interesting trend in terms of IT-related hiring in tier II and III towns is going to pick up in 2024. This will be part of the overall cost optimisation, especially in the wake of global economic outlook and margins pressure,” said Achal Khanna, CEO – SHRM India, APAC and MENA.

According to industry players, skill-based hiring continues to gain prominence, focusing on candidates’ specific skills and competencies rather than traditional qualifications.

AI and automation-related hiring will increase across industries, especially in IT, auto, financial services and manufacturing in 2024.

“Going ahead, in 2024, companies must play a role by connecting talent with opportunities, irrespective of college tags, fostering partnerships that transcend boundaries for mutual growth,” said Ankit Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Unstop, a community engagement and hiring platform for students and freshers.

Meanwhile, when it comes to appraisals, companies in India are expected to give a salary raise of 9.8 per cent in 2024, slightly lower than the actual salary increase of 10 per cent in 2023, as companies across industries are still closely monitoring their cost structures.

According to Willis Tower Watson’s latest ‘Salary Budget Planning India Report’, the median salary increase in India is forecast to rise by 9.8 per cent in 2024, close to the actual salary increase of 10 per cent in 2023.

“The careful approach towards hiring and spending is likely to continue for the next few quarters as the companies are focusing on improving employee utilisation due to weakening demand, especially by IT companies in response to sluggish revenue growth across the industry,” said Jasvinder Bedi, Managing Partner of Biz Staffing Comrade Pvt Ltd.

Startups have been the worst hit this year since the highs of aggressive hiring in the past. Even well-funded companies have taken a cautious stand on hiring now.

Another factor that has been impacting jobs is automation.

According to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, corporate India’s hiring sentiment for the next three months is one of the highest across the world, with 37 per cent of employers planning to increase their staff strength amid buoyant domestic demand conditions.

As per the survey, India and the Netherlands reported the strongest net employment outlooks at 37 per cent, followed by Costa Rica and the US at 35 per cent in second place, and Mexico at the third position with 34 per cent of the net employment outlook. The global average stood at 26 per cent.

The factors that support the bullish hiring plans of companies include buoyant domestic demand, private investments, and stability in the political arena, experts said, adding that employee well-being, recruitment for skilled roles and adopting AI and technology seem to be the top three in the chart of priorities of corporate India.

In terms of sectors, industries pivotal to core infrastructure and essential goods and services like power and energy, fast-moving consumer durables, and healthcare and pharmaceuticals, show a pronounced incremental replacement hiring in the October-March 2023-24 time frame.

Also, a combination of fierce competition and potential investments in renewable energy is driving replacement hiring in the power and energy industry.

Additionally, sectors like retail and education services look to get back to normalcy after losing a considerable chunk of their workforce.

The retail industry is set to add 23.25 million square feet in mall space during the 2023-24 financial year. The hiring spans across both permanent and contractual workforce as the sector makes efforts to adjust for the attrition faced by them in recent times.