AI Hiring Surges in India’s IT Sector While Overall Recruitment Declines
BENGALURU, July 3 – A recent survey indicates a significant rise in hiring for artificial intelligence (AI) positions within India’s IT sector, outpacing overall recruitment figures in June. This shift highlights how companies are adapting to rapid technological changes.
The data from job portal Naukri’s monthly JobSpeak report reveals that AI job postings increased by 16% compared to last year. In contrast, total IT job opportunities fell by 3%. The report analyzed job listings from over 150,000 companies.
India’s IT industry, valued at $315 billion, is facing challenges as clients are cutting back on technology spending amid a tough economic backdrop. Additionally, the rise of AI is reshaping traditional business models, adding pressure to the sector.
Hitesh Oberoi, CEO of Info Edge, which runs Naukri, remarked on the significance of the rising AI hiring trend. He stated, “This divergence shows where tech companies are still willing to invest. AI is becoming a key focus area, particularly with the growing demand for senior and specialized talent.”
Tata Consultancy Services, the top software exporter in India, hinted at a slowdown in hiring, aiming for a balance between human employees and AI agents within its workforce. In the past year, Tata has reduced its staff by over 12,000 jobs, bringing the total net decline to more than 23,000 as of March 2026.
Overall, AI and machine learning job opportunities across 14 different sectors saw a 25% increase, with the insurance and consumer goods industries experiencing the highest growth in hiring during this period.
(Reported by Sai Ishwarbharath B in Bengaluru)
