IT Hiring in 2026 Shows Strong Demand for Experienced Professionals

The domestic IT sector is showing signs of gradual recovery this year, according to a latest report. IT hiring in 2025 reached 1.8 million jobs, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year. These findings were highlighted in the “IT Workforce Trends in India 2025” report released on Monday. The study was jointly conducted by talent solutions provider Quess Corp and Workforce. The share of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India’s IT hiring has increased significantly. From 15 percent in 2024, GCCs accounted for 27 percent of total IT recruitment this year. While hiring picked up in select roles within product companies and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) firms, IT services and consulting witnessed only marginal growth. Meanwhile, hiring growth among startups slipped to single digits due to reduced funding.

Experienced professionals continued to be in higher demand compared to freshers. Candidates with 4 to 10 years of experience accounted for 65 percent of total IT hiring in 2025, up from 50 percent in 2024. Entry-level hiring stood at 15 percent, while contract roles accounted for around 10–11 percent of total recruitment. There was strong demand from employers for digital skills such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The report projects that IT hiring momentum will continue in 2026 as well. Recruitment is expected to expand beyond Tier-II cities, with demand remaining concentrated in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data specialist roles. The need for IT professionals is set to rise across sectors including BFSI, SaaS, telecom, and manufacturing. Companies are also expected to prioritize capability-led growth over headcount expansion in the coming year.

At the same time, job applications recorded a sharp increase. The total number of job applications crossed 90 million this year, representing a 29 percent rise compared to last year, according to the “India at Work 2025” report released by job portal Apna.co. The surge was largely driven by increased participation from women and freshers. Applications from women grew by 36 percent year-on-year, particularly for roles in finance, administrative services, customer experience, and healthcare support. Applications from freshers also rose by 10 percent on an annual basis, the report noted.