AI & ML Hiring Soars by 25% in May 2025 While Overall IT Recruitment Dips

June 3, 2025 | New Delhi – The tech job landscape in India continues to evolve, with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) roles witnessing a notable 25% year-on-year increase in hiring activity during May 2025, according to the Naukri JobSpeak report.

In contrast, the broader Information Technology (IT) sector recorded a 5% decline in job opportunities compared to the same month last year. This indicates a shift in industry focus towards emerging technologies and specialized skills.
“Despite a relatively stable job market, AI/ML talent continues to be in high demand across major cities. There’s also a consistent need for seasoned professionals, especially at the senior level,” said Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.com.

Sector-wise Job Trends:

Real Estate saw a 5% increase in hiring.

Insurance hiring grew by 6%.

Conversely, Retail, Telecom/ISP, and Banking & Finance sectors experienced declines ranging between 8-9%.

However, unicorns in BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) bucked the trend, ramping up recruitment by 29%.

City Highlights:

Hyderabad saw a 7% rise in hiring activity.

Kochi experienced an 8% jump, with much of it driven by demand for professionals with 16+ years of experience.

Pune reported a 4% overall increase, mainly due to a 26% surge in hiring by startups.

About JobSpeak:

The JobSpeak Index by Naukri.com tracks hiring trends using real-time data from job listings, recruiter activity, and candidate applications across multiple sectors and locations.

Key Takeaways:

AI/ML roles are leading the hiring wave.

Senior-level talent is in high demand.

Startups and unicorns are key drivers of hiring growth in select cities.