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ANNUAL INSIGHTS REPORT · FY 2025–26

The State of
On-Demand Talent

Enterprises are redesigning how work gets done. Independent professionals are now embedded into transformation, leadership, and execution mandates once reserved for full-time teams.

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CONTEXT

A shift in how organisations access capability

Traditional workforce models were designed for stability. Businesses today operate in an environment defined by continuous transformation, compressed timelines, and rapidly evolving capability needs. Organisations are redesigning how execution happens — moving beyond static workforce structures and increasingly building around flexible access to specialised expertise.

What was once considered an alternative talent model is now becoming a strategic capability layer embedded into core business priorities.

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A note from the editor

A market in motion

This report is grounded in a close reading of consultant registrations, shifting client demand across sectors and capabilities, and the market patterns taking shape over time. Yet the real value of data lies not in what it records, but in what it reveals — where demand is beginning to outpace supply, which capabilities are rising in importance, and how client priorities are evolving. What follows is a considered view of a market in motion, shaped by the interplay between talent and opportunity, and between today's needs and tomorrow's direction. We hope it offers clarity, perspective, and a more confident way to navigate the flexible talent economy.

- Neeti Goel, Head, Flexing It Talent Network

THREE DEFINING SHIFTS · FY 2026

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intellgience
01

The independent talent ecosystem is maturing rapidly

The ecosystem is evolving into a reliable, scalable operating model for accessing specialised expertise across industries and functions.

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intellgience
02

On-demand talent is becoming a strategic workforce lever

Flexible talent is increasingly embedded into transformation agendas, operational priorities, and business-critical execution mandates.

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intellgience
03

Enterprises are redesigning deployment models

Organisations are building leaner, specialist-led execution structures to improve agility, accelerate delivery, and access niche expertise faster.

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ECOSYSTEM SNAPSHOT

Where adoption is accelerating

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Top industries sourcing on-demand talent

Industrials (30%), Consulting (20%), FMCG (18%) lead demand — sectors navigating transformation, supply chain disruption, and workforce change simultaneously.

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A maturing, senior talent pool

60% of the talent pool comprises mid-to-senior professionals with 9–15+ years of experience. 1 in 5 new registrations in FY26 were senior consultants.

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AI is moving from exploration to execution

10% of all projects are linked to AI mandates — implementation, automation, analytics. The question is no longer "should we use AI?" but "how do we make it work?"

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Global deployment is expanding

25% of projects delivered remotely. Global enterprises and GCCs are increasingly leveraging India-based professionals for regional and global mandates.

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