New Delhi (IANS): India’s overall technology job market — spanning permanent, temporary, and contractual roles — is projected to expand by 12–15 per cent in 2026, creating nearly 1.25 lakh new employment opportunities, according to a report by workforce solutions provider Adecco India.
The report noted that the talent gap widened sharply to 44 per cent in 2025, driving median salary packages up by 18 per cent compared to 2024 and intensifying competition for skilled professionals. Demand for artificial intelligence (AI), data and cybersecurity roles surged 51 per cent as these functions transitioned from experimental initiatives to core business requirements.
It further revealed that around 40 per cent of large enterprises have already operationalised generative AI pilots, signalling a shift toward large-scale deployment. Hiring demand rose by nearly 45 per cent for machine learning engineers, data engineers and full-stack developers with AI integration capabilities, while compensation for specialist roles increased by 15 per cent. Global Capability Centre (GCC) hiring also climbed 20 per cent year-on-year.
Campus recruitment witnessed a 12 per cent rise over 2024, driven largely by startups in deep tech, fintech, health tech and SaaS segments. Although funding remained selective, companies with clear AI, platform or cybersecurity strategies continued to expand their engineering and data teams.
As enterprises move from controlled pilots to full-scale implementation, hiring for niche and high-skill roles is expected to accelerate in 2026, the report said.
“This gradual uptick reflects a sector moving from restraint to renewal, setting the stage for a more decisive recovery in 2026 as the talent gap continues to widen,” said Sanketh Chengappa, Director and Business Head – Professional Staffing at Adecco India.
He added that sectors such as BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics are leading the shift, together accounting for nearly 38 per cent of tech-driven hiring. “Looking ahead to 2026, we expect this momentum to strengthen further,” Chengappa said.
The report also highlighted that hiring in non-tech sectors gained traction as industries moved beyond basic digitisation and began embedding AI and data capabilities into core operations. In the GCC space, non-tech organisations across government, financial services, aviation, energy and retail recorded hiring growth of about 30 per cent, reflecting faster implementation of national digital and cybersecurity mandates.
