2024 has been a dynamic year for the Indian IT industry which witnessed an aligned impact of both domestic and global economic transitions, technology transformation, and shift in the workforce. The industry has gained back momentum in H2 2024 and is gearing up for a promising 2025 on multiple fronts.
In the coming years, fresher hiring in the Indian IT sector is poised for significant growth, with an anticipated increase of 15-20% in job opportunities across various industries. At the same time, the demand for highly specialized tech roles, including artificial intelligence, machine learning (ML), data analytics, and cloud technologies, is expected to surge by 30-35%, driven by the increasing reliance on emerging technologies. This surge in demand is not limited to hiring but extends to a strategic focus on tech upskilling, with companies investing heavily in training initiatives to equip their workforce with the necessary skills to meet the evolving technological landscape.
Taking a closer look at fresher hiring in 2024, while the year began with a momentary dip in recruitment, positive shifts emerged as attrition rates stabilized, and IT firms embraced innovative hiring strategies. Many leading companies adopted off-campus recruitment approaches, reflecting a proactive stance in attracting fresh talent and aligning with new technological advancements. By mid-2024, following a brief hiring freeze, IT companies opened doors for fresh talent, showing resilience against global economic pressures and setting the stage for growth.
This year also marked a shift in workplace models, with many IT companies asking their employees to start reporting to the office. Campus hiring remains the core focus for larger companies that are looking to hire aggressively for the second half of the fiscal year for the year 2024-25. Since the 2021-22 global economic slowdown, clients have curtailed their discretionary spending due to on-demand hiring patterns and global macroeconomic challenges; this has impacted the project pipeline however, it is expected to stabilize in 2025, thus promising hopes for freshers.
IT fresher hiring in 2025 is projected to increase by 15-20%, with high demand for roles in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data analytics, Python, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity. Sectors such as Global Capability Centres (GCCs), manufacturing, BFSI, healthcare, and retail are also anticipated to boost their IT fresher intake by 30-35% in 2025.