Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a buzzword—it’s the engine driving the future of work. As automation, data science, and generative AI rapidly reshape business processes, the demand for AI talent is skyrocketing. In fact, India’s IT sector is expected to add up to 45% more AI jobs in FY26 alone, bucking the trend of overall tech hiring slowdowns. This signals a major shift in workforce needs, where traditional roles are giving way to AI-driven functions that offer higher value and strategic importance.
In this evolving landscape, those who equip themselves with AI competencies won’t just stay relevant—they’ll lead the charge. The job market is transforming, and AI is at its core.
Here are 10 key things you need to know about the projected AI job growth in India’s IT sector for FY26.
10 Things to know about the growing AI roles in India
- Major Growth Predicted: AI jobs in India are projected for significant expansion in the coming fiscal year. Expectations are for the sector to add 35-45% more roles in FY26. This indicates a strong forward momentum specifically within the AI domain.
- Bucking the Trend: This projected surge is particularly noteworthy because it’s happening while bucking the broader circumspect trend in technology hiring. Experts note this growth is occurring despite the broader slowdown in the IT sector, where some companies have been slashing hiring mandates. Selective hiring for niche roles like AI is expected to grow even when overall hiring falls.
- Long-Term Potential: The outlook for AI jobs extends beyond FY26. Overall, India is expected to have a massive 2.3 million AI jobs by 2027. This signifies sustained, long-term growth in the field.
- What’s Driving the Demand: Several factors are fueling this growth. Key drivers include the industry’s “AI-first vision,” increased client investment in AI, and the rapid adoption of technologies like GenAI and cloud. Clients are looking to leverage AI for AI-led automation, cost takeout programs, and AI-first delivery models to streamline operations, especially amidst economic uncertainties like inflation and recession fears.
- Productivity Focus: Demand for AI and cloud-based roles remains consistent and even growing. This is because clients are looking to invest in productivity-enhancing capabilities, and Indian IT services companies are aligning their talent strategies to meet this need.
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- Hot Job Titles: Certain AI roles are seeing exceptionally high demand. These include machine learning engineers, generative AI developers, data scientists, NLP engineers, AI research scientists, and AI product managers. Beyond these core roles, demand is also high for client-facing AI consulting, domain-integrated AI roles, and pre-sales solution architects with AI expertise. Niche profiles such as Gen AI specialists are seeing substantial demand.
- Impressive Year-on-Year Growth: Many of these in-demand roles have already seen significant growth. Roles like ML engineers and GenAI developers are among those experiencing up to 50% year-on-year growth. Data from Quess shows that in FY25 alone, AI/ML roles grew over 42-43% YoY, data engineering roles grew over 60%, and data governance roles grew 42%.
- The Talent Gap Challenge: Despite the booming demand, there’s a significant hurdle: a persistent talent shortage. Experts lament that the right-fit talent for these roles is “either just getting built, or not available and accessible”. The overall active demand for AI-linked roles (including the services spectrum) is currently over 20,000, highlighting the scarcity of suitable professionals.
- Competitive Salaries & Hikes: To attract the limited talent pool, companies are offering high salaries for these niche AI roles. Niche profiles like Gen AI specialists are reportedly seeing up to 50% hikes, while lateral AI/ML engineering hires are seeing 20-30% hikes. Roles like AI solution architects are among the highest paid, with companies shelling out Rs 35–60 lakh for them. This fierce competition for talent is also leading to higher offer dropouts.
- GCCs vs. IT Services Dynamics: There’s a distinct difference in hiring between Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and traditional IT services companies. GCCs are expected to significantly outpace IT services companies in experienced AI hiring in FY26, adding nearly 180,000 professionals. Furthermore, GCCs are offering 20–25% higher salaries for AI roles compared to IT services firms. The AI hiring outlook for IT services players is seen as low to moderate by some, partly because while AI hiring is necessary, it’s an expensive undertaking that may conflict with a conservative stance on operating costs.
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AI-related Jobs’ Salaries
| Job Role | Salary Range | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| AI/ML Engineer | ₹18-₹30 LPA (mid), up to ₹50 LPA (senior) | 20-30% hikes for laterals |
| Data Scientist | ₹15-₹28 LPA (mid), up to ₹35-₹40 LPA(senior) | High demand across BFSI & retail sectors |
| Generative AI Specialist | ₹25-₹40 LPA | Up to 50%+ hikes for niche GenAI profiles |
| AI Solution Architect | ₹35-₹60 LPA | One of the highest paid profiles |
| AI Research Scientist | ₹18-₹32 LPA | Strong demand in healthcare, manufacturing |
| NLP Engineer / Speech AI Expert | ₹20-₹38 LPA | Growing due to multilingual AI and LLM work |
For future job-seekers, this is more than a trend—it’s a call to action. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or someone looking to pivot into tech, building AI-related skills is becoming essential. Roles such as machine learning engineers, data scientists, generative AI developers, and AI product managers are already seeing double-digit growth and commanding premium salaries.
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Companies are actively scouting for talent that can lead AI-first initiatives and help drive automation, efficiency, and innovation. If you’re looking to future-proof your career, now is the time to embrace AI and become a part of this high-growth, high-impact revolution.
(For more such interesting informational, technology and innovation stuffs, keep reading The Inner Detail).
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