Career Advice

How to Become an HR Executive in India

Published on Jan 03, 2026 by Lakshita Sharma

Aspiring to become an HR Executive in India is a dream for many students and freshers, but the most prominent issue they face is the lack of proper guidance. Many questions like "What is the qualification requirement?", "Can one become an HR Executive without experience?", "What are the requirements of HR professionals in India?" confuses them. Due to these questions and queries, the primary issue these aspirants face is either opting for the wrong career options or overlooking lucrative opportunities related to Human Resources.

The positive side is that you can attain the position of an HR Executive in the Indian market, provided you possess the required skills and planned strategy in the best possible manner, even as a fresher. HR is considered to be one of the fastest-growing fields in the Indian job market.

This blog is posted based on current research carried out on the requirements of the human resources profession, trends, and recruitment practices in India, so this blog will serve as a credible resource for students, fresh graduates, and job changers.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn who an HR Executive is, the required qualifications, essential HR skills, salary in India, step-by-step career roadmap, and how to apply for HR Executive jobs. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to start your HR career confidently.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• In India, being an HR Executive is possible even as a fresher if one has appropriate skills and support.
• HR is an emerging field that has job prospects in various sectors in the Indian market.
• Communication skills, HR knowledge, and management skills for people are required.
• Having a clear step-by-step roadmap will help guide you in starting and pursuing your HR career.

What is HR?

HR stands for Human Resources. It is the department in charge of employees. It deals with recruitment, training, employee wages, and employee issues. Its most important task is searching for the right people, developing them, and building a positive work environment. In India, it focuses on employee satisfaction, performance, and adherence to the law so as to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.

What does a Human Resource Executive do?

The Human Resource Executive manages day-to-day HR activities in a company. They undertake the task of recruitment, onboarding employees, payroll, and attendance. They assist in training and development, resolve employee problems, and keep records. This position ensures a smooth flow of HR functions, employee satisfaction, and adherence to company policies and labour laws.

Roles and Responsibilities of an HR Executive

Below is the list of main duties and responsibilities of the HR Executive in managing employees successfully.

• Post job ads, screen resumes, and interview candidates.
• Assist new employees in integrating seamlessly and be aware of company policies.
• Manage salary information, leaves, and attendance.
• Deal with any internal problems and create a positive working atmosphere.
• Organise skill development programs.
• Employee records. l
• Maintain employee records.
• Help in appraisals of employees.

What are the Qualifications Required to Become an HR Executive?

To become an HR Executive, some education qualifications, skills, and experience are required as essential launching credentials for any successful career in HR.

Bachelor’s Degree: In Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Commerce, or Psychology.

Master’s Degree (Optional): MBA in HR, preferably for better growth opportunities.

Certifications (Optional): Courses in Human Resources, like SHRM and HRCI, or online HR Certifications

Internship Experience: Freshers can get hands-on knowledge through internships in the HR field.

What skills are required for an HR Executive?

To become an HR Executive, it is necessary to possess good communication skills.

• Communication Skills: For effective communication with employees and management.
• People Management: Management of employees to create a positive working culture.
• Problem-Solving Skills: This skill is required to handle
• Computer Skills: Familiarity with MS Excel, MS Word, and HR applications.
• Organisational Skills: To be able to manage files and records as well as
• Time Management: For efficient management of multiple HR tasks.

What Are the Different HR Job Roles in India? Roles, Salary & Skills

In India, there are various HR job roles that offer different responsibilities, salary packages, and skill requirements across industries.

1. HR Executive

Role: Recruitment, onboarding, payroll support, employee coordination

Salary: ₹2–4 LPA (India)

Skills: Communication, MS Excel, HR basics, people management

2. HR Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Executive

Role: Hiring candidates, screening resumes, and conducting interviews

Salary: ₹2.5–5 LPA

Skills: Recruitment skills, sourcing, communication, negotiation

3. HR Generalist

Role: Handle end-to-end HR activities like hiring, payroll, and compliance

Salary: ₹3–6 LPA

Skills: HR operations, labour laws, multitasking, documentation

4. Payroll Executive

Role: Salary processing, attendance, PF/ESI management

Salary: ₹2.5–5 LPA

Skills: Payroll software, Excel, compliance knowledge

5. HR Coordinator

Role: Support the HR team, maintain records, and employee communication

Salary: ₹2–3.5 LPA

Skills: Organisation, communication, basic HR knowledge

6. HR Operations Executive

Role: Daily HR processes, attendance, employee records, policy support

Salary: ₹2.5–4.5 LPA

Skills: HR operations knowledge, Excel, coordination

7. Training & Development Executive

Role: Employee training programs, skill development sessions

Salary: ₹3–6 LPA

Skills: Training skills, communication, planning

8. Employee Relations Executive

Role: Handle employee grievances, engagement activities

Salary: ₹3–5 LPA

Skills: Conflict management, communication, problem-solving

9. Compliance / HR Legal Executive

Role: Labour law compliance, PF, ESI, statutory work

Salary: ₹4–7 LPA

Skills: Labour laws, documentation, attention to detail

10. HR Analyst

Role: HR data analysis, reports, workforce planning

Salary: ₹5–10 LPA

Skills: Data analysis, Excel, HR analytics tools

Best Platforms to Apply for an HR Job in India: Freshers & Experienced

Both freshers and experienced candidates can apply to these portals.

• Jobipo – Direct HR contact, fresher-friendly HR jobs
• Naukri.com- the largest job portal for HR roles in India
• LinkedIn Jobs – Professional HR Roles & Networking
• Monster India – Corporate HR and mid-level jobs
• Apna App - Entry-level and fresher HR jobs

How to Become an HR Executive in India: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here is the step-by-step roadmap to becoming an HR Executive, which will guide you throughout your entire HR career.

Step 1: Complete Basic Education

Students can complete their graduation in any stream; however, those with a degree in BBA, BCom, Psychology, or HR will be given preference.

Step 2: Know HR Fundamentals

Understand recruitment, HR operations, payroll, attendance, and labour laws.

Step 3: Acquire Fundamental Competencies in HR

Develop communication, people management, MS Excel, and problem-solving skills.

Step 4: Do an HR internship or certification

Acquire relevant experience through internships or short courses in HR.

Step 5: Create an HR Resume

Produce an ATS-friendly resume, incorporating HR keywords and skills.

Step 6: Apply for HR Jobs

Apply on Jobipo, Naukri, Indeed, LinkedIn, and similar portals regularly.

Step 7: Prepare for HR Interviews

Practice common HR Executive interview questions and real scenarios.

Step 8: Start and Grow Your HR Career

Start as an HR Executive/Recruiter and grow into an HR Generalist or HR Manager role.

FAQs

Q1. Can I become an HR Executive in India as a fresher?

Yes, with basic knowledge in HR and an internship or certification, Freshers can also become HR Executives.

Q2. What qualifications/criteria need to be possessed to become an HR Executive in India?

A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is sufficient, while an MBA in HR is an added advantage.

Q3. What skills do I need for the HR Executive position?

Important skills are Communication, People Management, MS Excel, Recruitment, and HR Operations.

Q4. The beginning pay scale for an HR Executive is how much in India?

The starting salary can vary from ₹2 to ₹4 LPA based on the firm and location.

Q5. Which job portals are best for HR Executive jobs in India?

The most preferred job portals in relation to HR job vacancies are Jobipo, Naukri, and Indeed.

Final Thoughts

Becoming an HR Executive in India is one of the best career choices for students, freshers, and people looking to transition to the field. With the right education and skill sets in the area of human resources, experience, and preparation, it is possible to switch to the human resource field without having the relevant experience. Human Resources is one of the fields that is on the upswing and has great stability in terms of long-term prospects.