New Delhi — Hiring for artificial‑intelligence (AI) roles in India grew 16 percent year‑on‑year in June, while the broader information‑technology (IT) job market contracted 3 percent, according to the latest JobSpeak report released by online recruitment platform Naukri.com.
The monthly report, which aggregates data from more than 1.5 million job postings on the portal, said AI‑related vacancies rose from 31,200 in June 2025 to 36,200 in June 2026. By contrast, total IT openings fell from 2.1 million to 2.04 million over the same period.
Naukri’s senior research analyst, Rohan Kumar, attributed the surge to “the rapid rollout of generative‑AI tools and increased investment in AI‑driven product development across sectors such as fintech, e‑commerce and health‑tech.” He added that many firms are expanding in‑house AI teams rather than relying on external consultants.
The report also highlighted a shift in skill demand. While traditional programming languages such as Java and .NET remain common, listings for machine‑learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) and data‑science competencies (Python, R, SQL) grew by double‑digit percentages.
Overall IT hiring, however, continued to feel the impact of cost‑cutting measures announced by several large technology services firms earlier in the year. The report noted that layoffs and hiring freezes at major players have led to a modest decline in entry‑level and mid‑tier positions, especially in legacy system maintenance and infrastructure services.
Analysis:
The divergent trends suggest that while the Indian IT sector faces headwinds from global economic uncertainty and corporate restructuring, AI talent remains a growth engine. Companies appear willing to allocate resources to AI even as they trim broader IT staff, likely driven by the perceived competitive advantage of AI‑enhanced products and services. This could widen the skills gap, pressuring educational institutions and training providers to expand AI‑focused curricula.
If the pattern holds, firms that fail to invest in AI capabilities may find themselves at a strategic disadvantage, while the demand for AI specialists could outpace supply, potentially driving up salaries and prompting increased recruitment from abroad. Policymakers may need to consider targeted upskilling initiatives to sustain India’s position as a global tech talent hub.
Sources
– The Hindu, “AI hiring outpaces overall IT recruitment in India, report shows,” June 2026, https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/ai-hiring-outpaces-overall-it-recruitment-in-india-report-shows/article71181709.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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