A new employment survey by Apna.co shows that India's job market will continue to expand through 2025, with over 9 billion job applications recorded and 1.4 million job openings by employers in the year. The findings are part of the platform's India at Work 2025 report, which analyzes employment and job search patterns across regions, sectors and demographic groups.
The study noted that overall job applications increased by an estimated 29% year-over-year. This increase is primarily due to the increased participation of women and early career professionals as service-driven employment expands beyond metropolitan centers and into tier 2 and 3 cities. Digital recruitment tools also played a big role, helping employers and candidates connect more effectively across locations.
Employer demand has increased as well. Approximately 14 million jobs were posted on the platform in 2025, an increase of 15% year-on-year. Small and medium-sized enterprises accounted for a large proportion of these vacancies, reflecting the increasing digitization and formalization of employment practices. Companies also expanded their hiring in markets outside metropolitan areas, particularly in the service and support sector.
One of the key trends identified in the study is the sharp increase in women's participation. During the year, women filed more than 3.8 billion claims, a 36% increase over the previous year.
Applications from women in tier 2 and tier 3 cities have steadily increased and the gap with metropolitan markets has narrowed. The report also points to a 35% increase in applications from women for management and leadership roles, suggesting a gradual strengthening of career advancement pathways across sectors such as finance, healthcare, education, retail and e-commerce.
New hires continued to form the bulk of the applicant pool. More than 2.2 billion applications were received from first-time job seekers, an increase of approximately 10% compared to 2024. Interest was highest in managed services, customer experience, finance and digital operations, while demand for voice-intensive and field-intensive roles decreased. The uptake of new applications is more widespread in non-metropolitan cities, highlighting the increasing availability of entry-level opportunities outside of major urban centers.
The report also documents the increasing use of artificial intelligence in recruitment. The platform has conducted over 73 million AI-based interview sessions, totaling over 1.9 billion minutes. Employers using AI-enabled screening and phone tools were able to reduce manual interactions, saving recruiters nearly four years of cumulative call time, according to the report. Adoption was particularly pronounced among companies hiring at scale in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
Overall, the India at Work 2025 study presents a holistic picture of the job market shaped by widening geographical distribution, increased participation of women and youth, and deeper integration of technology into the recruitment process.
Key findings from the study:
• More than 9 billion job applications will be recorded in 2025, an increase of 29% year-on-year
• Employers posted 1.4 million jobs, up 15% year over year.
• Women submitted 3.8 billion applications, 35% more applications for leadership and management positions.
• Over 7.3 million AI interview sessions conducted, significantly reducing the workload of recruiters
