New Delhi, April 15 -- Appraisal season in India has become more complicated than ever. For a few weeks each year, organisations assign ratings, revise compensation, and signal future expectations. This year, those conversations feel different. Layoffs across sectors, cautious hiring, and rapid shifts driven by technology have made careers less predictable than before.

At the same time, a younger workforce is entering with very different expectations. They are less willing to wait, quicker to question, and more open to change. In this environment, appraisals are no longer just about performance. They have become emotional flashpoints. Some feel recognised, others overlooked, and many feel uncertain. Beneath all this lies a more important...