Hiring signals
India tech hiring at 119,000 openings — but only 13% are for freshers
Tech openings rose 9% month-on-month in March 2026, yet fresher roles fell 10% year-on-year. The market is splitting sharply between mid-senior demand and entry-level scarcity.
India's tech sector recorded 119,000 active job openings in March 2026 — up 9% from February, but still 19% lower than the same month a year ago. The headline number hides a structural problem for early-career job seekers.
Only 13% of those openings (about 15,000 roles) are entry-level. That's down 10% year-on-year. Mid-senior roles dominate at 53% of demand. Companies are de-risking by hiring engineers who can be productive on day one rather than investing in fresher training.
Geographically, the metros are cooling: Bengaluru −12%, Hyderabad −33%, Pune −35%, Chennai −29%, Delhi NCR −42% year-on-year. Tier 2-3 cities, by contrast, grew 10% month-on-month as Global Capability Centres expand satellite hubs.
What this means for you: if you're a fresher, broaden your radius beyond Bengaluru, sharpen one focused skill stack (AI/ML, cloud, or cybersecurity), and target GCC graduate programs that still hire in volume.
Source: CIOL · Xpheno report
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