74 per cent of Indian employers uncover identity fraud in hiring, says HireRight

MUMBAI: In the race to hire the right talent, employers are finding that not every candidate’s credentials pass the reality check. Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of Indian HR and recruitment decision-makers said their organisations uncovered identity fraud among candidates or employees in 2025, the highest proportion among the markets surveyed, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by background screening provider HireRight.

The findings highlight the growing emphasis on workforce trust as Indian businesses adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment and compete for specialised skills. The survey covered more than 1,000 senior HR and recruitment decision-makers across multiple global markets, examining hiring challenges, workforce screening and the impact of AI.

India also recorded the highest levels of AI adoption by HR teams and acceptance of candidates using AI during recruitment, according to the survey.

More than half (52 per cent) of Indian employers expect AI to lead to additional hiring as businesses seek employees with new skills to support an increasingly technology-enabled economy.

Yet finding the right people remains a challenge. A third of respondents (33 per cent) cited finding qualified talent as a key recruitment hurdle expected this year. Another 31 per cent pointed to attracting candidates willing to work full-time or in hybrid roles, while 30 per cent identified integrating technologies such as AI into recruitment processes as a challenge.

Disha Joshi, senior director of international go-to-market at HireRight, said recruitment would increasingly focus on identifying capabilities, verifying candidate information and making confident decisions quickly as employer requirements evolve.

For Indian businesses competing for in-demand talent, she added, combining technology with reliable workforce data would become increasingly important.

Employers are turning to background screening to address risks that go beyond a candidate’s CV. According to the survey, 39 per cent of Indian respondents cited brand reputation as a concern screening could help mitigate. Workplace safety and behaviours that conflict with corporate values were each identified by 36 per cent.

Accuracy emerged as the leading consideration when selecting a screening provider, with 49 per cent of respondents prioritising the quality of results. Candidate experience followed at 36 per cent, while 32 per cent highlighted speed.

Screening is also extending beyond permanent employees. More than nine in 10 respondents (93 per cent) said contingent workers were screened before starting work.

The figures point to a balancing act for HR teams: hiring quickly enough to compete for talent while checking identities, qualifications and employment histories carefully. As AI becomes more embedded in recruitment, employers must also consider how to maintain reliable checks without adding unnecessary friction for candidates.

Joshi said businesses expanding across borders and navigating increasingly complex employment regulations would need to combine local market expertise with globally consistent hiring standards.

For Indian employers, the message is clear: as recruitment becomes more technology-driven, verifying who is behind the application is becoming as important as finding the right skills.