Jul 28, 2025
The job market will remain dynamic in 2025-26 and beyond. In 2025, despite global tech layoffs, many sectors are expanding – from AI and cloud computing to clean energy and healthcare. Industry reports and news are also highlighting massive hiring goals and emerging skills gaps in key sectors.
For example, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Alphabet (Google) will expand its engineering workforce through 2026 to pursue AI, self-driving, and content growth. Likewise, India’s IT giants (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, etc.) have set ambitious fresher hiring targets – planning to recruit 80,000+ new grads by FY2026.
Recent research (World Economic Forum, Robert Half, Bloomberg) confirms that technical skills are in heavy demand. Roles like AI/ML Engineer, Data Scientist/Analyst, Cloud Architect, Cybersecurity Specialist, and DevOps Engineer top the charts. For example, a Robert Half report lists “AI or machine learning engineer,” “big data specialist,” “data engineer,” and “DevOps engineer” among the fastest-growing tech roles. The World Economic Forum likewise notes surging demand for “big data specialists,” “fintech engineers,” and “AI & ML specialists” as leading future jobs. In short, data, cloud, and AI skills – along with software development and network security – are must-haves. Employers across industries (tech, finance, healthcare, retail, etc.) are boosting pay and training, knowing these technical skills top “skills of the future”.
Global Tech Giants (US, Europe)
Many large technology companies continue to hire aggressively for 2025–26. Alphabet/Google (global HQ in USA) is one prime example: despite industry fears of AI displacing jobs, CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed Google will “grow from our current engineering base even into next year” and keep hiring software and AI engineers through 2026. Roles in demand at Google include Software Engineer, AI/ML Researcher, Data Scientist, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, and Site Reliability Engineer. Candidates typically need strong CS or EE degrees (often Master’s/PhD for research roles) and experience in AI, big data or distributed systems. Google is known for high compensation packages (often including stock grants and bonuses) and perks like health benefits, free meals and flexible work options.
Example: Google (Alphabet) – Offices worldwide, including major campuses in Mountain View (USA), Bangalore and Hyderabad (India). Hiring for SDEs, machine learning researchers, data engineers, AI product managers, etc. Requires strong coding/AI skills (often advanced degrees); offers competitive salaries and equity.
Amazon is another top employer globally and in India. The company just announced a large new investment – over $233M in India in 2025 to expand tech and logistics infrastructure – which translates into hiring thousands for roles in AWS (cloud computing), software development, data science, automation, operations, and e-commerce logistics. For instance, Amazon’s Indian arm currently advertises 1,000+ openings across software, data science, marketing, HR, legal, and operations. Typical roles at Amazon include Cloud Solutions Architect (AWS), Data Scientist, Software Development Engineer, Operations Manager, and Logistics Coordinator. Freshers often qualify for entry-level tech or operations roles with a bachelor’s degree in engineering/CS or related field; experienced hires need domain expertise. Amazon India pays roughly ₹6–30 LPA (₹0.6–3.0 million) depending on role and experience, and offers benefits like health insurance and stock options. Globally, Amazon’s tech division (AWS) also pays top-of-market for cloud and AI skills.
Microsoft and Meta (Facebook) remain active recruiters for 2025–26, especially in cloud/AI teams. Microsoft is focusing on Azure cloud, AI-powered productivity tools, and cybersecurity. Roles include Cloud Engineer, AI Research Scientist, Software Engineer, and Cybersecurity Analyst. Meta is rebuilding after cuts and hiring for AI research, AR/VR (metaverse), and content infrastructure. Pay scales at these firms are very high (often exceeding ₹25–30 LPA for entry-level Indian positions in engineering).
Apple is steadily hiring hardware and software engineers (silicon chip design, iOS/mobile dev, services). Tesla – a leader in electric vehicles and energy – is expanding roles globally in EV/robotics engineering, energy storage, software for autonomous driving, and solar technology. For example, Tesla’s gigafactories and R&D labs need engineers and supply-chain experts.
Indian Tech & IT Services
In India specifically, the largest IT services companies are gearing up for massive hiring. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra and LTIMindtree have pledged tens of thousands of campus recruits. Industry reports state that TCS plans to hire over 40,000 campus freshers for FY2026, Infosys 15–20K, and Wipro about 10–12K. These roles span software development (web/mobile apps, enterprise software), business/process analysts, cloud services, and digital transformation. There is special emphasis on AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and analytics skills. For fresh graduates, companies offer entry programs (e.g. TCS Ninja/Digital) with intensive training. Experienced professionals are hired into project lead and domain-expert roles (e.g. cloud architect, AI consultant, tech project manager). Salaries at entry-level in these IT firms remain around ₹3–6 LPA (often called the “Ninja” package), though management or digital tracks pay more. Companies offer perks like training stipends, project bonuses, and global project opportunities. Notably, the Indian IT sector’s collective hiring target is ~82,000 new graduates by 2026, reflecting renewed business spending in BFSI, retail and overseas markets.
Top Firms: TCS (Global HQ: India; offices worldwide) – roles: Software Developer, System Analyst, AI/ML Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst. Requires B.E/B.Tech or MSc in CS/IT. Known for large-scale campus programs and job stability.
Infosys (Global) – roles: Engineer, Data Scientist, DevOps Engineer, Business Analyst. Recruiting ~15K freshers now with skills in cloud and digital.
Wipro, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, LTIMindtree – similar hiring in software dev, telecom/IT projects, and customer engagement roles. HCLTech in Noida expects increased hiring in FY26 after slight cutbacks earlier.
Many Indian product startups are also hiring aggressively. Companies like Flipkart (Walmart), Ola, Byju’s and PhonePe (fintech) have large technology teams. Roles include Backend/Full-Stack Developer, Product Manager, Data Engineer, Mobile Developer, and UI/UX Designer. For example, Flipkart’s Bangalore campus often recruits fresh CS grads for software roles, while PhonePe and Razorpay (Bengaluru) look for engineers in payments/security and growth.
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Finance & Fintech
The finance sector remains a major employer worldwide and in India. Traditional banks (JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citi, HSBC, etc.) are hiring in technology and operations, not just teller jobs. There’s strong demand for Quantitative Analysts, Software Engineers (for trading and risk systems), Data Scientists, Cybersecurity Analysts, and Risk/Compliance Officers. For example, JPMorgan has a 63,000-strong tech workforce (a third in India) and heavily recruits software engineers to build AI and cybersecurity tools. Pay in investment banking is very high (often ₹25–50 LPA base for MBAs, plus bonuses) and banks offer cutting-edge projects (AI in finance, blockchain pilot programs).
Fintech companies (payments, neo-banks, lending platforms) are exploding in India. Major names include Paytm, PhonePe, Razorpay, CRED, Groww, PolicyBazaar, and Zeta. These firms hire software and product engineers along with finance experts. In-demand roles are Fintech Product Manager, Blockchain Developer, Mobile Payments Engineer, Fraud Analyst, and Financial Software QA Engineer. Blockchain developers especially are sought for crypto/web3 initiatives and secure transaction platforms. Rozgar.com notes “Roles in demand: Blockchain Developers, Fintech Analysts, Product Managers” in India’s fintech sector. Fintech startups often offer equity or ESOPs, which can be lucrative; base salaries range widely but often exceed ₹15–20 LPA for senior tech roles. Regulatory and KYC compliance roles (risk analyst, AML specialist) are also growing.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Healthcare and life sciences is another fast-growing field. Large pharmaceutical firms and hospital networks are hiring globally. In India, companies like Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Biocon, Serum Institute, Zydus Cadila, and Bharat Biotech are expanding R&D and manufacturing. Key roles include Pharmaceutical Research Scientist, Clinical Data Analyst, Quality Assurance Engineer, and Regulatory Affairs Specialist. In biotech and medical devices, roles like Biomedical Engineer and Bioinformatics Specialist are rising.
Hospitals and healthcare providers (e.g. Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, Max Healthcare) and health-tech firms (Practo, 1mg, PharmEasy, CureFit) need tech talent too. They hire Healthcare IT engineers (for EMR systems), Telemedicine Coordinators, Medical Device Engineers, and Health Data Analysts. For instance, Rozgar lists “Telehealth Coordinators, Biomedical Engineers, Healthcare Analysts” as emerging roles. Skills in AI/ML are valuable for medical imaging and diagnostics (e.g. radiology AI), and data analysis skills are needed for population health and insurance analytics. Compensation tends to be lower than in pure tech (e.g. ~₹8–15 LPA for a data scientist in pharma), but specialized healthcare roles command premiums.
Clean Energy & Sustainability
The renewable energy sector is booming worldwide, driven by climate targets and investment. Top companies hiring include Tesla (EVs/solar), Vestas (wind turbines), Siemens Gamesa (wind), Orsted (offshore wind), and Indian leaders Adani Green Energy, ReNew Power, Tata Power Renewable Energy, Hero Future Energies, etc. In India, government push (National Green Hydrogen Mission, solar farm projects) is accelerating growth.
Key job roles are Solar/Wind Energy Engineer, Energy Storage Engineer, Electrical Engineer (renewables), and Grid Integration Specialist. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) roles are also up: “Sustainability Manager,” “ESG Analyst,” and Carbon Markets Specialist. For example, Rozgar highlights “Solar Energy Technicians, ESG Analysts, Sustainability Managers” as popular roles. In the auto sector, new EV battery engineers and power electronics specialists are in demand (e.g. Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra hire EV/software engineers). Clean energy jobs often involve field work (solar/wind site design) or project management; pay is competitive especially in corporate green teams (₹10–20 LPA for engineers, often with bonuses and travel allowances).
E-commerce & Digital Retail
Online retail continues to expand. E-commerce giants Amazon (again), Flipkart, Myntra (Walmart India), BigBasket (online grocery), Reliance JioMart, and niche players like Nykaa (beauty) or Meesho are hiring for roles beyond delivery. They need Supply Chain Analysts, Operations Managers, Data Scientists, Digital Marketers, and UX/UI Designers. Digital merchandising and content creation (video/photo) are also hot skills. Rozgar identifies roles like “E-commerce Specialists, Growth Marketers, Product Photographers” in this sector.
For example, Amazon’s new $233M India investment covers tech and logistics: it will fund fulfillment center tech upgrades, delivery network improvements, and safety apps for drivers. That means many openings for Logistics Engineers, Automation Technicians, and Fulfillment Software Engineers. Flipkart (Bengaluru) similarly hires software and operations staff in large numbers. Fresh graduates with any business or engineering degree can land entry roles in supply chain or business analysis, while experienced hires are sought for product management, data analysis, and technical project leadership. E-commerce firms typically offer market-level pay; tech roles can be ₹15–25 LPA, while fresher ops roles might be ₹5–10 LPA, plus incentives.
Consulting & Professional Services
Major consulting and professional services firms are perennial recruiters. The Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and strategy firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) are hiring Management Consultants, Technology Consultants, Data Analysts, and Audit/Finance Analysts. These roles often blend sector knowledge with tech: e.g. cybersecurity consulting, fintech advisory, or cloud transformation projects. Such firms conduct campus hiring for fresh MBAs/engineers and also recruit experienced specialists (e.g. cloud architects, AI consultants) with annual increases in demand. Pay is high in consulting (often >₹20 LPA for new MBAs) and perks include global travel, training programs, and steep learning curves. Digital consulting is especially hot, as companies seek guides to implement AI, digitize processes, or roll out new platforms.
Emerging & Other Sectors
Beyond the above, other fast-growing areas include:
EdTech & Online Learning: Companies like Unacademy, Coursera, UpGrad hire for roles in Instructional Design, Content Development, Learning Analytics, and Tutoring. Rozgar notes “Learning Experience Designers, Online Trainers, Content Developers” as roles to watch. Demand for STEM/skill-training content creators has spiked.
Media, Gaming & Entertainment: OTT platforms (Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar), gaming studios (Ubisoft, Zynga) and digital media houses are hiring Video Editors, Game Designers, Animation Artists, Community Managers, and Content Strategists. While smaller than tech, these creative roles are growing with the gaming and streaming boom.
Logistics & Delivery: With e-commerce and D2C brands, logistics firms (Delhivery, Blue Dart) recruit Warehouse Managers, Route Planners, and Supply Chain Analysts. Smart warehousing and AI route-optimization are key skills.
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Trending Job Roles (2025–26)
Across companies and industries, the most in-demand roles for 2025–26 include (but are not limited to) the following:
AI & Machine Learning Specialists: Engineers and researchers who build AI applications (computer vision, NLP, recommendation engines). Everyone from Big Tech to healthcare to auto needs them.
Data Scientists & Data Engineers: Professionals who collect, analyze and model data for business insights. As WEF notes, big data roles are surging globally. Industries like finance, healthcare, retail, and government all want data skills.
Cloud/DevOps Engineers: Experts in AWS, Azure, GCP and software delivery pipelines. Cloud computing is a backbone of modern business, so roles like Cloud Architect and DevOps Engineer top the charts.
Cybersecurity Specialists: Demand for information security roles (Network Security Engineer, Penetration Tester) is very high, as every sector faces cyber threats.
Software Developers (Full-Stack, Mobile, Embedded): Core dev roles remain vital. Firms need developers to build apps, websites, and backend systems. Especially sought are full-stack engineers who handle both front-end and back-end.
Blockchain & Web3 Developers: With fintech and supply chain exploration, blockchain developers are gaining popularity (e.g. for crypto projects, tokenization, secure ledgers). (Rozgar specifically highlights blockchain devs in fintech.)
Sustainability/ESG Experts: As companies focus on climate goals, roles like ESG Analyst, Sustainability Manager, and Renewable Energy Engineer are emerging fast. These jobs are new but growing.
Healthcare Tech Roles: Telehealth specialists, bioinformatics analysts, and medical device engineers are in demand as healthcare digitizes.
Business Analysts & Project Managers: In both tech and non-tech firms, the demand for smart problem-solvers and coordinators (with tech affinity) remains high. Digital transformation initiatives create many such roles.
Digital Marketing & E-commerce Roles: SEO/SEM specialists, social media managers, and product merchandisers are needed for online retail growth.
UX/UI Designers: As companies digitize customer experiences, designers who craft user-friendly apps and websites remain essential.
Industry reports emphasize continuous learning, so candidates who upskill in AI, cloud, or data (via courses or projects) stand out. Soft skills – communication, adaptability, and teamwork – are also crucial across all roles, as cross-functional projects abound.
Qualifications & Candidate Profiles
Fresh Graduates: In tech and consulting, campus hiring drives entry-level recruitment. Companies look for CS/Engineering graduates (for tech roles) or BBA/MBA (for finance/consulting roles), often with strong academics and internships. Standard aptitude tests and coding challenges are common screening steps. Many IT firms have “sprout” or “ninja” programs to train freshers. Even non-engineering grads can enter fields like finance or marketing in banking/fintech with relevant internships.
Experienced Professionals: Mid-career hires usually need 3+ years of relevant experience. For tech, this means solid coding or data projects; for consulting, strategy or domain expertise; for healthcare, clinical or biotech experience. Certifications help (e.g. AWS/Azure, Cisco, CFA/FRM). Leadership or team skills become important for senior roles (project leads, managers). Across industries, domain knowledge plus tech skills is a potent combo (e.g. healthcare + data analytics, manufacturing + IoT).
Many companies offer internal training (e.g. Google’s ML Crash Course, financial bootcamps at banks) and encourage certifications. For all roles, digital literacy and English proficiency (in multinational settings) are basic requirements.
Perks, Salary Trends and Work Culture
Compensation and perks vary widely by industry:
Big Tech: Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple are known for very competitive pay (often ₹25L+ for Indian engineers, plus bonuses and stock awards). They provide extensive perks: comprehensive health plans, subsidized food/commutes, generous leave policies, and flexible work (many have hybrid models now). For example, Amazon has raised wages (above ₹15,000/month min in India) and offers standard benefits to all employees. These firms also invest in career development (internal courses, “Career Day” events).
Fintech & Startups: Early-stage startups may offer lower base salaries but compensate with equity (stock options). Well-funded fintechs like CRED or Razorpay pay market rates (₹10–20L+ for engineers) and fast career growth. Many also have perk stacks (remote work, snacks, regular parties).
Traditional IT Services: Indian IT companies have more modest pay. New graduates at TCS/Infosys often start around ₹3.5L–₹4L per annum (“Ninja”/“Digital” packages). Mid-level IT engineers might earn ₹7–12L. Salaries have been flat in recent years, but there are performance bonuses and benefits (PF, insurance, training). These firms tout global project exposure and stable jobs as perks.
Banking & Finance: Investment banks and consulting firms pay premium salaries (frequently ₹20L+ for MBAs, plus lucrative bonuses tied to performance). Even backend tech and operations roles at big banks typically earn above software-industry levels. Benefits include retirement plans, health insurance and (sometimes) global travel.
Consulting: Big4/strategy firms pay ~₹15–25L for new MBA grads and increase steeply with seniority. They offer fast promotions, tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees, and extensive training. Travel can be high, but these jobs are prized for resume-building.
Other Sectors: Healthcare and education roles generally pay less than tech/finance, but government incentives (especially in healthcare) and specialized skill premiums apply. E-commerce logistics roles often include travel allowances.
Overall, employers cite talent shortages in tech and digital domains, so many are boosting perks like sign-on bonuses, flexible schedules, and reskilling programs to attract and retain staff.
Looking Ahead – Skills and Strategies
The consensus from analysts is clear: technical fluency and adaptability are key. The WEF’s Future of Jobs report notes that AI, big data, networks, and cybersecurity skills are rising faster than any others. Workers who can combine these with strong critical thinking will be most sought-after.
For job-seekers in 2025-26: focus on the fastest-growing skills. This means learning programming (Python, Java), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), data visualization (Tableau, PowerBI), and cybersecurity tools. Equally, soft skills – creativity, communication and project management – remain invaluable in hybrid roles (e.g. AI product manager, BI consultant). Fresh graduates should leverage internships and competitions (hackathons, case contests) to get noticed. Experienced pros should highlight any AI/data projects or leadership of digital initiatives.
In summary, growth industries and roles include: IT services and product tech, finance and fintech, digital healthcare, renewable energy, e-commerce supply chain, and consulting. Top companies in these sectors – global tech giants, major banks, healthcare conglomerates, renewable energy firms, and consultancies – are actively hiring, for both entry-level and advanced roles. They seek talented people with the latest technical skills and domain knowledge. Candidates who stay updated on trends (e.g. generative AI, green technology) and continue learning will find many opportunities in 2025–26.
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