India's Tech Job Market Tumbles: Tech Roles Down to 48% in October, Behind Pre-2024 Levels

As 2025 unfolds, India's technology job market is witnessing a profound transformation. According to an analysis by Xpheno for October 2025, tech roles comprise only 48% of active job postings, marking a notable decline from pre-2024 standards Storyboard18. This downturn is part of a larger trend wherein demand for tech talent has been waning, impacted by economic uncertainties and shifts in global IT spending priorities. Consequently, India's tech job landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, as non-tech sectors carve out a majority stake in talent demand.

As the IT services sector experiences a decline in job openings—down 9% month-on-month and 24% year-on-year—the non-tech sectors are seeing a growth in demand. Currently, non-tech roles make up about 52% of the active job market in India, indicating a notable shift in hiring focus. Such changes signal a diversification of India's economic base beyond traditional tech roles, creating growth opportunities in sectors like renewable energy and healthcare tech, contrasted against the tech demand described in Storyboard18.

The emergence of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) has considerably influenced job demand dynamics within the tech sector in India. These centers are increasingly pivotal in centralizing specialized and strategic roles, thereby curbing reliance on traditional IT service hiring. According to industry insights, GCCs now account for about 13% of the demand for tech roles, marking a modest year-on-year growth of 1%. This shift not only signifies a transformation in hiring practices but also underscores the sector's adaptive strategies in response to global IT spending patterns and technological advancements.

The integration of GCCs into the employment landscape has engendered a shift towards more capability-driven roles as opposed to conventional service-based hiring prevalent in IT. These centers are strategically reforming recruitment approaches, focusing on multifaceted skill sets that align with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and cloud computing. This evolution is pivotal in reducing the demand for traditional tech roles, reshaping employment patterns, and necessitating an upskilling of the existing workforce to meet new industry demands.

Global Capability Centers are not merely reshaping the framework of tech employment but are also influencing broader economic trends. Their emergence supports a diversification of job opportunities across various sectors, as companies move towards specialized skill requirements. As companies streamline their operations through these centers, the result is an enhanced efficiency model that not only reduces operational costs but also aligns with the strategic goals of technological firms aiming for global competitiveness. Consequently, this could stimulate an increased focus on skill development programs tailored to meet the evolving demands of the tech industry.

The 'Freshness Index' serves as a critical gauge in the recruitment landscape, particularly in the fast-evolving tech sector. It provides insight into how often job postings are updated, which reflects the dynamism and responsiveness of a job market. A high Freshness Index indicates rapid hiring activities and constant update of job listings, suggesting a healthy churn and high demand for talent. Conversely, a lower Freshness Index could imply either a stability where jobs are filled without needing frequent advertising or a slowdown in hiring activities altogether. As noted in this article, the moderate Freshness Index observed suggests that the turnover in positions isn't as brisk, potentially due to a decline in the demand for certain roles.

Using the Freshness Index in analysis gives hiring managers and policymakers a real-time snapshot of job market trends. It allows them to make informed decisions regarding recruitment strategy and workforce planning. For human resource professionals, a high Freshness Index might signal the need for aggressive recruitment and a fresh approach to talent acquisition where the market is competitive and saturated with opportunities. On the other hand, a low index may warrant a reevaluation of the skills supply and demand, indicating areas where the workforce needs to evolve or re-skill to align with current market realities.

Moreover, the Freshness Index offers critical insights for job seekers. A lower index might signal fewer opportunities in certain fields or regions, prompting them to adapt by broadening their skill sets or looking at emerging fields that are progressively hiring. It brings to light industries or sectors that might be stagnating versus those that are innovation-driven and expanding. Details from Storyboard18's report underline the importance of such adaptability in the current Indian tech job market, where demand in emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity may continue to grow despite an overall slump in tech job postings.

Strategic use of indicators like the Freshness Index helps cultivate a robust and agile employment ecosystem. It encourages alignment between educational institutions, industry demands, and employee skills training programs, ensuring that the workforce remains competitive and relevant. As businesses strive for operational excellence amid global technological advancements and economic fluctuations, tools such as the Freshness Index prove indispensable in navigating the complexities of modern-day recruitment challenges. By understanding these dynamics as highlighted in the article, stakeholders can better align their strategies to meet both current and future labor market needs.

The decline in tech job roles within India has predominantly affected certain positions and sub-sectors more than others. As the traditional IT services sector grapples with the adverse impacts of global IT spending caution and the ascendancy of Global Capability Centers (GCCs), roles in legacy technologies have been severely impacted. This downturn is highlighted by a significant reduction in available positions for professionals involved in older tech rotations, such as mainframe management and traditional network maintenance. As discussed in a report by Storyboard18, these legacy roles have reached a three-year low, reflecting a broader industry shift towards emerging tech fields.

While the overall demand for tech roles has declined, sub-sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing have bucked this trend, showing resilience amidst the downturn. The resilience of these areas is attributed to their critical nature for modern business operations and their alignment with global shifts towards increased digital security and cloud reliance. Positions in these high-tech fields remain in demand and may even be growing, driven by businesses' need to fortify digital infrastructure and optimize cloud-based operations. This is corroborated by data from Xpheno, as cited in the Storyboard18 analysis, which shows that while traditional IT services roles have declined, newer tech areas continue to attract investment and talent.

Furthermore, the "freshness index" of job postings remains low, reflecting a slower hiring pace and suggestive of fewer opportunities, contrasting the vigorous recruitment activity noted in earlier years. This metric, as highlighted in the report, points to a sluggish job market in the tech sector when compared to the more dynamic environment seen before 2024.

Mid-senior level roles are still dominant, but they too have seen a shrink since pre-2024 benchmark times, indicating that the overall volumes are down. There is a noted emphasis on upskilling and transitioning to sectors with sustained demands, such as cloud computing and AI, which did not have the same urgency during the peak years before 2024. The shift signifies the broader structural changes within India's tech industry, creating a more nuanced employment landscape than the one held prior to 2024.

Amidst the backdrop of declining tech job openings in India, several emerging technology areas are showcasing resilience and growth, a trend that defies the broader market downturn. These areas are not just bucking the trend but are actively driving new employment opportunities, leveraging India's strong foundation in technology development and innovation. For instance, fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and cybersecurity have exhibited robust hiring patterns, underlined by a consistent demand for specialized skills in these domains. As highlighted in Storyboard18's report, these emerging areas are becoming pivotal in reshaping the tech employment landscape.

The resilience of AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity underlines a significant transformation within the technology sector, where there is a pronounced shift towards newer, innovative technologies. This shift is largely driven by the increasing reliance on digital infrastructures and the growing need for security and data management solutions, which are paramount in today's hyper-connected business ecosystem. Despite the contraction in traditional IT roles, these sectors have continued to thrive, offering a beacon of hope for professionals looking to transition into more future-proof careers.

Moreover, the growth in these emerging technology areas aligns with broader global trends, where industries are increasingly automating and digitizing operations to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. Consequently, the demand for experts in AI and cybersecurity is not only fueling job creation but also contributing to the re-skilling and up-skilling of the existing workforce. This trend is evidenced by the increasing focus on hiring for roles that demand a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, data security protocols, and cloud architecture. As companies navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the skills associated with these areas become indispensable, making these sectors exceptionally attractive to both employers and job seekers alike. The comprehensive analysis provided by Storyboard18 underscores these dynamics, reinforcing the notion that while traditional tech jobs may be declining, emerging tech sectors are rising to define the next chapter of technological employment.

As India's tech job market experiences a notable decline, public reactions reflect a complex mix of concern and cautious optimism. On social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, industry professionals and job seekers express significant anxiety about the decreasing number of active tech job openings. The traditional dominance of IT services in India is being challenged by ongoing global IT spending caution and the rise of automation technologies, which replace routine roles. This scenario has led to increasing worries about job security and stagnated career growth, as detailed in this article.

Despite these concerns, some industry observers maintain a hopeful outlook. There is a belief that startups and emerging tech sectors like AI, cloud, and fintech are poised for recovery in fiscal year 2026. Discussions on platforms like Reddit and Twitter highlight Xpheno's forecast of 80,000 net tech job additions, suggesting a potential rebound driven by innovations and the entrepreneurial spirit. This cautious optimism is evident among startup community members as reported by sources such as the Economic Times.

In public forums and comment sections on websites like The Economic Times and Storyboard18, users express a mix of disappointment and pragmatic acceptance regarding the slowdown in tech job market growth. While some users voice frustration over the shrinking demand for legacy technology roles, others acknowledge the global macroeconomic challenges that contribute to this trend. There is an emphasis on the need for Indian tech firms to innovate and evolve in order to maintain global competitiveness, as noted in reader discussions on Storyboard18.

The public conversation also delves into market dynamics, with some individuals pointing out the nuanced role of Global Capability Centers (GCCs). These centers are centralizing specialized roles, thereby reducing traditional IT services hiring but providing opportunities in strategic positions. This trend is further explored in industry blogs and online discussions, highlighting the need for recruiters to adapt their strategies. LinkedIn especially sees active debates on how GCCs influence hiring, as recruiters and HR professionals discuss evolving talent acquisition approaches. For more details on these market dynamics, Xpheno's blog offers in-depth insights.

The current decline in India's tech job openings, falling below pre-2024 levels, signifies a pivotal moment for the nation's economic landscape. This trend, chronicled in the Storyboard18 article, highlights the shifting focus towards non-tech sectors and the critical need for India to pivot towards emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity. The resulting impact on the workforce is significant, as it necessitates widespread upskilling to align with next-generation tech demands. Moreover, the dampened freshness index of job postings reflects a strategic shift towards quality over quantity in hiring practices, potentially reshaping India's tech sector in the long run.

Economically, the embrace of newer tech domains is poised to diversify India's job market, which may initially challenge those in legacy roles but ultimately bolster India's competitiveness in high-growth areas. As the tech sector recalibrates, other industries such as renewable energy and healthcare tech are seen as new growth horizons, supported by Nucamp's reports. This could position India as a key player in these sectors while simultaneously ensuring that workers gain the skills needed for future readiness, mitigating economic risks associated with the ongoing transition.

Socially, the shift in job demands underscores the importance of educational reforms and skill development initiatives to prepare India’s workforce for future challenges. The decline in entry-level job opportunities particularly stresses the need for youth-focused vocational training programs that match the realities of a digital economy. Initiatives like the Skill India Digital Hub aim to address these concerns, promising a more inclusive employment landscape. Furthermore, the growing importance of Tier 2 and 3 cities in tech hiring could drive more balanced regional economic development, alleviating urban migration pressures.

Politically, these shifts highlight the necessity for government intervention in education and job policy reforms to match the pace of technological change. The rise of Global Capability Centers, which centralize strategic tech roles, prompts discussions on balancing foreign investment with domestic job creation needs. Labor policies must adapt to protect workers amid automation-induced job transitions, while fostering an innovative ecosystem crucial for sustaining long-term economic growth, as noted by the World Economic Forum.

Overall, the current tech job market dynamics suggest a phase of strategic reorientation towards new technological fields rather than a systemic decline. By navigating these changes through coordinated economic policies, education reforms, and social strategies, India can unlock substantial potential within its tech and broader employment markets. This transition equips India to harness the opportunities presented by digital transformation and global technological advancements.