AI-related recruitment in India’s IT industry increased 16% year-on-year in June 2026, while total tech postings dropped 3%, according to Naukri’s JobSpeak data.
AI-related recruitment in India’s information-technology industry rose 16% year-on-year in June 2026, according to Naukri’s JobSpeak report. At the same time, total IT job postings fell 3% during the same month.
In June 2026, AI hiring within India’s IT sector increased by 16% compared with June 2025, while overall technology job postings declined by 3% [1]. The data were released in a weekly JobSpeak report compiled by Naukri, the online recruitment platform operated by Info Edge Ltd. [1]
The report was authored by Naukri’s analytics team and commented on by Info Edge CEO Hitesh Oberoi, who noted that companies are prioritising senior and specialised AI talent [4]. The trend reflects hiring activity across a range of Indian IT firms that post vacancies on Naukri’s portal, including multinational service providers and domestic software houses [1][2].
Hiring Trends Revealed by Naukri’s JobSpeak Report
The JobSpeak report tracks weekly job postings across multiple technology functions and distinguishes AI-related roles from broader IT positions [1]. In June 2026, AI-focused vacancies rose from 9,800 in June 2025 to 11,380 in June 2026, representing a 16% increase [2]. By contrast, total IT postings dropped from 1.02 million to 990,000, a 3% reduction [2][3].
The report categorises AI positions under titles such as “Machine Learning Engineer,” “Data Scientist – AI,” and “AI Solution Architect.” Growth was observed across seniority levels, with the most pronounced increase in senior and lead AI roles [4]. The data set spans postings from both private and public sector employers that use Naukri’s platform for recruitment [1].
The report categorises AI positions under titles such as “Machine Learning Engineer,” “Data Scientist – AI,” and “AI Solution Architect.” Growth was observed across seniority levels, with the most pronounced increase in senior and lead AI roles [4].
Company Focus on Senior AI Talent
AI Hiring Grows 16% in India's IT Sector While Overall Tech Job Postings Decline 3% in June 2026
Info Edge CEO Hitesh Oberoi explained that the surge in AI hiring is driven by companies seeking experienced professionals who can design, implement, and manage AI solutions at scale [4]. Oberoi indicated that firms are allocating budget to AI projects despite broader hiring slowdowns in other technology domains [4].
Industry observers cited in the report noted that the demand for AI expertise is linked to ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including cloud migration, automation, and analytics-driven product development [1]. Companies reported that senior AI talent is essential for integrating machine-learning models into existing enterprise systems, prompting targeted recruitment drives [4].
Implications for Job Seekers and Employers
The divergent hiring pattern creates immediate opportunities for candidates with specialised AI skills, particularly those holding advanced degrees or certifications in machine learning, deep learning, and data engineering [2]. Job seekers with such credentials can expect a higher likelihood of interview invitations and competitive compensation offers in the current cycle [2].
Conversely, the overall decline in IT job postings suggests reduced demand for non-AI technical roles, potentially affecting recent graduates and mid-level professionals in areas such as legacy software development, network administration, and traditional testing [3]. Employers may need to adjust talent acquisition strategies, reallocating recruiting resources toward AI-focused pipelines while managing excess capacity in other functions [1].
Employers planning future hiring cycles are advised to monitor Naukri’s weekly JobSpeak updates for real-time shifts in demand, as the report provides granular data on role-specific trends across geographic regions and company sizes [1].
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Employers planning future hiring cycles are advised to monitor Naukri’s weekly JobSpeak updates for real-time shifts in demand, as the report provides granular data on role-specific trends across geographic regions and company sizes [1].
What: AI-related hiring in India’s IT sector rose 16% year-on-year in June 2026 while total tech job postings fell 3%
When: June 2026, compared with June 2025
Impact: Creates immediate openings for senior AI talent and signals reduced hiring for broader IT roles
Sources
AI hiring rises 16% in India’s IT sector even as overall tech jobs decline – Moneycontrol
AI-related hiring grows 16% in India’s IT sector while overall tech job posts fall 3% in June 2026 – Career Ahead Online
AI hiring rises 16% in India’s IT sector – Report – Storyboard18
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