India’s technology hiring market is showing a stronger recovery, with 123,000 active technology job openings recorded in October 2026, according to Xpheno’s Active Tech Jobs Outlook for India.

The latest figure is the highest in 18 months and represents a 17% year-on-year increase. Active demand also rose 5% from September, suggesting that the recovery is extending beyond a single-month improvement.

IT Services Is Leading the Recovery

IT services companies accounted for approximately 66,000 active openings, up sharply from the same period last year. The sector’s demand increased 16% month-on-month and 57% year-on-year.

The recovery is particularly significant after technology hiring reached a low point earlier in 2026.

Experienced Professionals Remain in Demand

Mid-senior professionals account for more than half of active technology openings. This indicates that employers are not simply increasing entry-level hiring; they are looking for people who can contribute to projects with less ramp-up time.

AI engineering, analytics, technical leadership and core technology roles remain important areas of demand.

Full-Time Roles Dominate

About 93,000 of the 123,000 openings were full-time positions, representing roughly 76% of active tech demand. Contract roles, internships and part-time opportunities made up the remainder.

Hyderabad Emerges as a Major Hiring Hub

Bengaluru remains India’s largest technology hiring market, with about 31,000 openings. Hyderabad followed with approximately 14,000 and recorded particularly strong month-on-month growth.

For technology professionals in Hyderabad, the numbers indicate that the local market is participating strongly in the broader recovery.

AI Is Changing the Mix of Hiring

The recovery is occurring alongside rapid adoption of AI. Employers increasingly need professionals who can combine conventional software and engineering skills with AI-related capabilities.

That does not mean every new opening is an AI job. Core technology and engineering roles remain the largest functional category, while AI is increasingly becoming a skill requirement across existing technology positions.

Work From Office Is Rising

One of the clearest changes is the location model. Work-from-office positions accounted for about 81% of openings, while remote and hybrid opportunities have declined.

For candidates, this means the recovery in job volumes does not necessarily mean a return to the flexible working conditions seen during the earlier technology hiring cycle.

What Job Seekers Should Take From the Data

  • Experienced technology professionals remain highly relevant.
  • AI skills are increasingly valuable alongside core engineering skills.
  • Hyderabad continues to be a major technology hiring centre.
  • Candidates should expect more office-based opportunities than fully remote roles.
  • Demand is also expanding into consulting, sales, project management and technology-linked business roles.

Sources

  • Xpheno, Active Tech Jobs Outlook – India, October 2026.
  • Financial Express, October 6, 2026 — technology hiring data.