MUMBAI, Dec 31: The Indian IT landscape is set for significant growth in the coming years, with new job opportunities in emerging technologies projected to increase by 20 percent by 2025, according to a report by Human Resources (HR) platform FirstMeridian Business Services released on Tuesday.
Reflecting on 2024, the report highlighted a 17 percent rise in new employment opportunities within the Indian IT and tech sectors, fueled by rapid digital transformation and a growing demand for specialized emerging tech roles.
“Following a slow first half, the sector regained its momentum. As we look towards 2025, we can expect these trends to persist, with an average 20 percent increase anticipated for roles such as application developers, software engineers, DevOps engineers, AI, ML, and Cyber Security,” stated Sunil Nehra, CEO of IT Staffing at FirstMeridian Business Services.
Additionally, Nehra noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI), which emerged as a crucial trend in 2024, is slated to gain further traction in 2025.
The sector is gearing up for impressive expansion, with high demand projected for roles including data analysts, data engineers, and data scientists. Notably, the Gen-AI industry is expected to generate 1 million new job opportunities by 2028, substantially contributing to the nation’s GDP.
Salaries for Gen-AI positions such as Generative AI engineers, Algorithm engineers, and AI security specialists are anticipated to see a 25-30 percent increase compared to the previous year, signaling a robust upward trend in mid-level compensation.
As companies innovate and expand, this recruitment surge will bolster new projects, improve digital infrastructures, and ensure alignment with technological advancements. For example, Global Capability Centers (GCCs) have generated over 600,000 jobs between 2018-19 and 2023-24.
By 2030, GCCs are expected to employ between 2.5 to 2.8 million professionals. Furthermore, other sectors like BFSI and Telecom are also likely to ramp up their recruitment of IT and tech specialists in 2025.
“As we advance into an evolving IT environment in 2025, there will be a critical emphasis on tech upskilling to develop a strong talent pool. It’s expected that many large corporations and mid-sized firms will slightly boost their upskilling budgets by roughly 15-20 percent in 2025,” Nehra mentioned.
He also indicated that individuals will increasingly take the initiative for their own upskilling in preparation for promising new-age technology roles.
The emerging sector of the Indian IT gig economy is projected to triple in size, employing 24 million people by 2030.
This demand is anticipated to maintain a 1:1 ratio between tier I and II cities.
This growth highlights an increasing reliance on flexible talent solutions to meet the shifting demands of the tech industry.
“Businesses are progressively engaging gig workers for their specialized skills and adaptability, which is steering hiring trends toward niche technical roles and project-based engagements, positioning the gig economy as a vital component in shaping the future of IT talent,” Nehra remarked.
While the Indian IT ecosystem has largely stabilized, it still faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers in emerging fields like AI and cybersecurity, as well as the effects of global economic fluctuations.
“Although initiatives like Digital India and Skill India are advantageous, further strategies to enhance talent skills and value in the face of cost constraints are critical for navigating the next phase of technological advancement,” he added. (PTI)
