The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur hosted its annual human resources conclave, Samanvaya 2026, on October 31, bringing together industry leaders, senior HR professionals and management students to discuss changing workplace practices and the future of talent management.
The conclave featured two panel discussions on the influence of AI, changing employee expectations and evolving recruitment practices. The first discussion, titled ‘Beyond the 9-to-5: What Will Employment Even Mean by 2040?’, examined how organisations are adapting to technological changes and shifting workforce expectations. Amey Pachpute, Technology Product Manager at BlackRock and an alumnus of IIM Kashipur, moderated the session.
Panellists discussed the growing use of AI in recruitment, workplace flexibility and the skills expected from young professionals. Sankalp Nanda, Senior Manager (HR Rewards) at London Stock Exchange Group, observed that AI is encouraging candidates to develop deeper subject knowledge. Yogesh Khatale, Deputy General Manager – L&OD at Praj Industries, highlighted the continued importance of human judgement and problem-solving alongside technological capabilities.
Navneeth Sulakhe, Chief People Officer at SmartQ, spoke about aligning work with the interests of younger employees and adopting outcome-focused working arrangements. Other panellists discussed the importance of adaptability, empathy, practical competencies and greater participation of junior employees in organisational decisions.
The second panel, titled ‘Beyond the Checkbox: What Will Strengthen the Resume by 2040?’, focused on changing recruitment practices and the qualities employers look for in candidates. Moderated by Vikram Asopa, Search Specialist at Google, the session examined the growing importance of business understanding, problem-solving, professional experience and digital presence.
Panellists noted that employers increasingly look beyond academic qualifications and certifications when evaluating candidates. Arjun Mohan, AVP – HR at Mphasis, highlighted the importance of demonstrating how one’s work contributes to business outcomes. Avneet Singh, AVP – HR at Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, discussed how the growing use of AI by recruiters and job seekers is influencing candidate assessment.
Samskriti Ramgad, Vice President and Head – HR at BIG FM, emphasised hands-on experience for fresh graduates, while Shubham Tripathi, Head CoE – HR at R Systems, highlighted emotional intelligence, discipline and organisational culture as important considerations in recruitment.
The conclave concluded with an interactive session between the panellists and management students, providing an opportunity to discuss emerging workplace trends and professional expectations. Established in 2011, IIM Kashipur is an autonomous public management institution located in Uttarakhand. The institute offers management education and conducts research, with a focus on leadership development and sustainable business practices. It engages with industry through academic programmes, research initiatives and institutional events.
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