New Delhi, Dec 30: The Indian IT and tech ecosystem is expected to contribute 10% of India’s GDP by 2025, with a notable 20% rise in demand for emerging technology roles in the coming year, according to a recent report released by FirstMeridian Business Services.
The generative AI (GenAI) sector alone is predicted to generate 1 million new job opportunities by 2028, making a substantial impact on the nation's GDP. This growth is also expected to drive significant salary increases. Positions in GenAI, such as Generative AI Engineer, Algorithm Engineer, and AI Security Specialist, are forecast to see compensation levels rise by 25-30% for mid-level roles, reflecting the growing demand for specialized skills.
The report also highlights the role of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which have already created over 600,000 jobs between 2018-19 and 2023-24. By 2030, GCCs are projected to employ between 2.5 to 2.8 million professionals, contributing further to job creation in the tech sector.
Beyond the core IT sector, non-tech industries such as Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), as well as telecommunications, are expected to increasingly tap into the pool of IT and tech professionals in the coming year.
Sunil Nehra, CEO of IT Staffing at FirstMeridian Business Services, emphasized the importance of reskilling and upskilling to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the AI-driven economy. The top five skills likely to define AI roles in 2025 are expected to include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Cloud Computing, Data Science, and Cybersecurity.
The Indian IT/tech sector saw a 17% surge in new job opportunities in 2024, driven by rapid digital transformation and an increased demand for niche tech roles. As businesses continue to expand and innovate, this growth will support new projects, enhance digital infrastructure, and help organizations keep up with technological advancements.
In 2025, many large and mid-sized enterprises are expected to boost their upskilling budgets by an average of 15-20% to equip their workforce for emerging challenges. At the same time, individuals will continue to take initiative in reskilling efforts to prepare for high-demand roles in the tech industry.
One of the key trends set to unfold in the Indian IT sector is the growth of the gig economy. This sector is projected to grow threefold, reaching 24 million workers by 2030. A large proportion of this growth is expected to take place in 2025 and 2026, with high-demand roles like AI Engineers, Data Analysts, and Cybersecurity Professionals driving this expansion.
In addition to growth in traditional IT hubs, the IT sector is seeing a shift toward tier 2 and tier 3 cities, which are anticipated to experience a 35% increase in hiring by 2025. Cities like Jaipur, Indore, and Coimbatore are expected to lead this expansion, marking a new wave of job creation and economic growth outside of India’s major metropolitan areas.
