India’s tech sector records 123,000 openings as AI, GCCs and engineering drive hiring

IT services companies account for around 66,000 of these openings, while global capability centres (GCCs) contribute another 18,000, highlighting continued demand for technology professionals across software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and product engineering.

The hiring momentum comes as India’s technology industry expands beyond traditional outsourcing into higher-value research, engineering and innovation. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune remain important centres for multinational companies operating large technology and product development teams.

India’s software-services exports are estimated at $221 billion for FY2026, while the country’s more than 2,100 GCCs collectively generate nearly $100 billion in revenue and employ around 2.36 million people, according to the figures cited.

The October outlook from staffing firm Xpheno shows that IT services openings rose 57% year on year to 66,000, while GCCs recorded 18,000 active openings, up 64% from a year earlier. Bengaluru remained the largest hiring market, with 31,000 openings, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities accounted for 40,000 roles.

India’s software-services exports also continued to expand, increasing 8.2% in FY2026 to $221.4 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s annual survey. Europe accounted for 31.8% of these exports, making it an important market for Indian technology providers.

The India-European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations concluded on January 27, 2026. The agreement is expected to deepen economic ties and improve market access, although its implementation depends on the remaining approval and ratification processes.

For Indian technology companies and GCCs, stronger commercial ties could create opportunities to support European banks, automakers and industrial companies with software development, AI engineering and digital transformation. However, the FTA does not itself guarantee new technology jobs or automatically remove every barrier to cross-border services.

The hiring figures suggest that India’s technology workforce continues to attract demand, particularly for experienced professionals and specialised technical roles. The combination of established engineering hubs, expanding GCC operations and a large export-oriented services industry positions the country to pursue further opportunities as global companies invest in AI and cloud technologies.