AI‑driven recruitment has added more than 80,000 positions in India from 2022‑2026, while recorded layoffs total just under 32,000. The data comes from a Nomura Holdings analysis released in August 2026.

The report indicates that AI‑related hires in India reached 83,100 between 2022 and August 2026, outpacing 31,921 documented layoffs and attrition during the same period [2]. The findings were published amid a broader wave of technology sector reductions that saw 120,000 global tech jobs cut in 2026, with India projected to lose up to 35,000 positions [1].

Nomura’s study draws on hiring data from major Indian IT firms, multinational technology companies operating in the country, and a survey of 1,200 enterprises that have integrated generative AI tools [2][4]. The analysis links the hiring surge to AI adoption, while noting that 65 % of surveyed firms reported reduced hiring volumes after deploying generative AI solutions [4].

Scale of AI‑Related Hiring vs. Layoffs

The Nomura report quantifies AI‑related hiring as 83,100 new positions from 2022 through August 2026, a figure that includes roles in machine‑learning engineering, data science, AI product management, and AI‑enabled process automation [2]. By contrast, the same timeframe recorded 31,921 layoffs and attrition events across the Indian technology sector [2].

The hiring increase coincides with a period of heightened global tech layoffs. In 2026, worldwide technology firms announced 120,000 job cuts, driven largely by AI‑induced efficiency gains, and Indian IT services companies were expected to shed as many as 35,000 jobs [1]. Despite these cuts, the net effect in India remains a positive hiring balance due to AI‑specific recruitment.

Regional distribution data shows that the majority of AI‑related hires occurred in metropolitan hubs such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune, where large IT service providers and multinational R&D centers are concentrated [2]. Smaller tech clusters in Tier‑2 cities also reported growth, reflecting the diffusion of AI projects beyond traditional centers [2].

Smaller tech clusters in Tier‑2 cities also reported growth, reflecting the diffusion of AI projects beyond traditional centers [2].

Drivers of the Trend

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Adoption of generative AI platforms, including large language models and automated code‑generation tools, has accelerated across Indian enterprises [4]. A survey of 1,200 companies found that 65 % reduced overall hiring after integrating these tools, citing decreased demand for entry‑level programmers and repetitive‑task roles [4].

At the same time, firms have created new positions to develop, maintain, and govern AI systems. The report identifies three primary driver categories: (1) AI product development, (2) AI‑augmented service delivery, and (3) AI governance and ethics compliance [2]. Companies such as Infosys, TCS, and Wipro announced dedicated AI units in 2023‑2025, each hiring specialists to support internal automation initiatives [3].

The broader macro‑economic environment also contributed. India’s IT sector, projected to reach a $283 billion market size by the end of 2026, has prioritized AI as a growth lever to sustain export revenues amid slowing demand for traditional outsourcing services [3]. This strategic shift has encouraged both private and public investment in AI talent pipelines.

Impact on Education and Workforce

The hiring pattern signals an immediate need for AI‑focused curricula in Indian higher‑education institutions. Universities such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have expanded AI and data‑science programs, enrolling an additional 12,000 students in 2025‑2026 [3]. Vocational training providers report a 48 % rise in enrollment for short‑term AI certification courses during the same period [3].

For current employees, the data suggests heightened risk for roles centered on repetitive coding, testing, and basic data entry, which AI tools can automate [4]. Conversely, professionals with expertise in AI model development, prompt engineering, and AI ethics are experiencing increased demand [2][3].

Impact on Education and Workforce The hiring pattern signals an immediate need for AI‑focused curricula in Indian higher‑education institutions.

Employers are adjusting recruitment strategies to prioritize AI competencies. Job postings on major Indian platforms showed a 42 % increase in required AI‑related skills between 2024 and 2026 [2]. Companies are also investing in internal reskilling programs, with 58 % of surveyed firms allocating budget for AI upskilling of existing staff [4].

Impact on Readers

Students and educators should align coursework and training with AI skill requirements to improve employability in a market where AI‑related roles are expanding faster than overall tech employment [3]. Employees in roles vulnerable to automation may consider transitioning to AI‑adjacent functions or pursuing reskilling opportunities offered by their employers [4].

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Corporate HR leaders can use the Nomura data to calibrate hiring plans, balancing reductions in low‑value positions with targeted recruitment for AI talent. Policymakers may also reference the findings when designing workforce development initiatives aimed at mitigating displacement while fostering AI innovation [1].

Key Facts

What: AI‑related hiring in India (83,100 positions) exceeds recorded tech layoffs (31,921) from 2022‑2026.

Impact: Students, educators, and workers must prioritize AI skills; employers adjust hiring and reskilling strategies.

When: Data covers 2022 through August 2026; report released 7 August 2026.

Impact: Students, educators, and workers must prioritize AI skills; employers adjust hiring and reskilling strategies.

Sources

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• AI‑related hiring is outpacing job losses in India, so far—Nomura report – ThePrint
• 120,000 tech jobs cut in 2026 as AI drives Big Tech’s reset; India’s IT could be next – Economic Times
• AI Revolutionizes India’s Workforce: Job Displacement and New Opportunities – Economic Times (GCC)
• AI is crushing these job roles first; new study reveals how you can … – LiveMint