India's key employment trends in 2025 | Image: Unsplash
Recruitment in 2025 will see a shift, with recruitment being led by non-IT sectors, with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) increasing by 41% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the January-November period, according to a report by India's top job site.
These sectors, not IT, will drive India's job market growth in 2025
IT software employment fell by 2% in the first quarter (calendar year), while non-IT sectors such as hospitality recorded a 23% increase in the second half of the year. According to the Naukri report, employment in educational institutions also increased significantly, ending the year with a growth rate of 28%, while the real estate sector recorded a 17% increase in employment.
Meanwhile, jobs such as machine learning engineer and search engineer continue to see the hiring boom recorded in the AI/ML industry, ranking among the most popular jobs across all sectors.
Demand was heavily skewed toward high-value talent. Hiring for AI/ML roles offering salaries above Rs 20 million per year increased by 62% from October to November.
Overall employment averaged “about 6-7% year-over-year growth, with notable spikes in November (+23%), June (+11%), and September (+10%).”
This steady improvement reflects growing employer confidence and the gradual expansion of employment beyond traditional technology-driven demand.
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GCC employment stable in 2025, highest employment growth in Kolkata
“Global Capability Center (GCC) hiring remained largely stable in 2025, registering approximately 3% year-on-year growth in the second half. However, city-level trends showed sharp divergence,” the report said.
Kolkata recorded a strong 82 per cent growth in October-November, while Chennai and Hyderabad registered over 20 per cent growth reflecting selective expansion of certain talent hubs, it added.
Trends in new graduate recruitment in cities other than major cities
New hires gained momentum throughout the year, particularly in the second half of the year. “Recruitment of professionals with 0 to 3 years of experience turned from flat in JFM'25 to 11% year-on-year growth in October-November,'' mainly supported by non-IT sectors.
“Cities like Kolhapur, Guwahati, Patna, Mangalore and Udaipur have topped the list for new recruitment in various sectors, highlighting the gradual decentralization of entry-level opportunities beyond traditional metropolitan areas.
