The latest data from foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), India's leading jobs and talent platform, predicts a 9% hiring growth in the country in 2025. IT, Retail, Telecommunications and BFSI sectors are the primary drivers of this growth.
With a 10% growth in 2024 and 3% MoM growth in November, the forecast indicates that hiring is set to retain its momentum, with a predictable hiring environment.
Emerging technologies and evolving business priorities will further shape India’s job market in 2025. Innovations such as edge computing, quantum applications, and cybersecurity advancements are set to transform industries like Manufacturing, Healthcare, and IT.
Meanwhile, the rise of retail media networks and AI-driven workforce analytics will reshape talent needs in e-commerce, HR and digital services. Organisations will look for professionals skilled in digital marketing, ad management, and HR analytics.
Speaking on the forecasted numbers, Anupama Bhimrajka, Vice President - Marketing, foundit, said: “As we enter 2025, India’s job market looks set to broaden its horizons, with a projected 9% growth in hiring. Companies are not only looking for seasoned professionals but also broadening their search beyond established hubs. We believe this approach will create a healthier, more diverse environment— allowing businesses to access new talent pools and build a workforce aligned with future needs.”
The IT sector is set to drive 15% growth in hiring in 2025, driven by the expansion of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and multi-cloud adoption. Businesses are prioritising operational agility and sustainability through energy-efficient data centres, green IT practices, and refurbished hardware solutions.
The Retail Sector is predicted to achieve 12% growth in hiring, reflecting rising demand for both traditional and tech-enabled roles. The sector’s growth is driven by the resurgence of experiential brick-and-mortar stores and growing consumer spending in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The Telecom Sector’s 11% forecasted growth is driven by advancements in AI, 5G, and IoT, with demand for skills in edge computing, SDN (software-defined networking), NFV (network function virtualisation) and cybersecurity.
Bengaluru to lead city-wise growth with a 10% projection. Its robust IT ecosystem, coupled with advancements in AI, 5G, and cloud technologies, continues to drive hiring. Demand will remain strong across tech startups, global IT firms, and digital services.
Coimbatore is set to emerge as a key player with 9% growth, reflecting its evolution as an industrial and IT hub. The city is seeing rising demand for skilled professionals in manufacturing, engineering, and IT-enabled services, supported by its expanding business ecosystem.
Hyderabad’s diversified industries, particularly IT and pharmaceuticals, will fuel its 8% growth. Investments in tech innovation, AI research, and life sciences will drive demand for highly skilled professionals.
Chennai’s 6% projected growth reflects increasing hiring in automotive R&D, cloud services, and infrastructure development.
EMERGING TRENDS SHAPING INDIA’S JOB MARKET IN 2025
Technology advancements will drive demand for specialised talent, creating opportunities across industries:
Edge Computing and IoT: Industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and telecom will adopt edge computing to power real-time IoT applications. Engineers and analysts skilled in managing connected devices and infrastructure will play a critical role.
Quantum Computing: As industries move from research to real-world use, sectors such as healthcare, finance, and logistics will seek quantum developers, cryptography experts, and researchers to solve complex challenges.
Retail Media Networks: With retail media expected to grow into a $100 billion market, companies will hire digital marketers, programmatic ad managers, and strategists to tap into advertising opportunities on e-commerce platforms.
Cybersecurity and Zero-Trust: The rise of AI, IoT, and cloud systems will fuel demand for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and data privacy experts to safeguard evolving digital infrastructures.
AI-Driven HR Insights: Tools like blockchain-based skills passports and AI-driven analytics will help businesses better match employee skills with job demands, ensuring smarter workforce decisions.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
India’s Job Market Showed Robust Growth In 2024 Across Sectors and Cities When Compared to 2023, Despite Seasonal Disparities.
Key industries such as Manufacturing (+30%), Consumer Electronics (+29%), and Real Estate (+21%) drove momentum, supported by rising industrial activity, digital adoption, and urbanisation. Meanwhile, cities like Coimbatore (+27%) and Jaipur (+22%) led regional growth, reflecting the diversification of hiring across geographies.
FUNCTION-WISE HIRING TRENDS
Medical roles led function-wise growth at 17%, reflecting the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals and advanced medical expertise. Marketing & Communications (+16%) saw rising demand as businesses focused on digital engagement and content-driven strategies.
IT roles (+6%) remain essential across industries, particularly for skills in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
CITY-WISE HIRING TRENDS
Coimbatore (+27%) led the cities with its growing prominence as an industrial and business hub, followed by Jaipur (+22%), which benefits from growth in IT, education, and healthcare sectors.
Bangalore (+20%) continued to dominate with its robust IT ecosystem and strong demand in startups and digital services. Delhi-NCR (+17%) showcased a diversified job market, spanning IT, real estate, and finance.
Hyderabad (+15%) strengthened its position as a key hub for IT and life sciences, while Chennai (+9%) saw stable growth in manufacturing and IT.
Pune (+6%) continued to attract talent in IT and education, while Mumbai (-4%) reflected slower growth especially in BFSI and media sectors.
