AI Hiring Sees 25% Surge; Jaipur and Coimbatore Rise as Talent Hubs, TechGig

India’s tech recruitment landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by an accelerating demand for artificial intelligence (AI) talent and the emergence of new hubs for entry-level hiring.

According to Naukri’s latest JobSpeak report, hiring for AI and machine learning roles increased 25% year-on-year, reflecting substantial investments in generative AI, automation, and data-driven technologies.

This growth in AI hiring contrasts with a moderated overall information technology (IT) hiring environment. Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Info Edge, noted this divergence, stating that AI hiring within the IT sector specifically grew 16% year-on-year in June. This indicates where tech companies are prioritising their investments and where core capabilities are shifting.

Geographical Shift in Fresher Hiring

The report also highlights evolving geographical hiring patterns, with Jaipur and Coimbatore recording strong growth in fresher recruitment. This signals a broadening of talent sourcing strategies beyond traditional metropolitan tech hubs, as employers seek to build entry-level talent pipelines in emerging cities.While Global Capability Centres (GCCs) experienced a 1% decline in overall hiring, the report indicates that certain cities continue to attract investments in global capability operations, outperforming the broader market.

This suggests a more selective approach to recruitment, with an increasing emphasis on specialised digital capabilities and business-critical skills across industries.