Why notice periods are long
Longer notice periods are standard in Indian employment, typically 60 to 90 days for experienced professionals, written into employment contracts. They give employers time to transition work and backfill, and they are a normal, expected part of changing jobs.
This means the gap between an accepted offer and a start date is much longer than in the US. It is not a red flag, it is the system working as designed.
How it affects your hiring
Plan start dates around it: a candidate who accepts today may start in two to three months. Build that into project timelines and headcount planning, and keep candidates warm through the notice period so they do not get counter-offered away.
It also affects offer strategy, candidates on long notice are often interviewing elsewhere, so a fast, decisive process wins.
Practical tactics
Notice-period buyouts (the new employer effectively compensates for a shortened notice) are common for in-demand candidates. Staggered or phased starts, regular check-ins during notice, and early onboarding paperwork all reduce drop-off. NexHires manages this window so your hire actually shows up.