Most IT Jobs in 2025 on Naukri.com and TimesJobs.com – Outlook for 2026

The 2025 Landscape: A “Skills-Over-Volume” Market

In 2025, the hiring frenzy of the post-pandemic era has settled into a strategic rhythm. While volume hiring for entry-level “mass recruiters” has moderated, premium hiring for niche skills has exploded.

• Naukri.com remains the dominant leader, hosting over 60-70% of active white-collar tech mandates.

• TimesJobs.com (often integrated with its TechGig arm) has carved a niche for competitive coding challenges and senior-level specialized roles.

Most Advertised IT Companies (The “Big Hirers”)

Based on active listings and “promoted” recruiter searches on both platforms this year, top Organizations include Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra are the most aggressive hirers.

Trend Alert: GCCs (Global Capability Centers) are currently outbidding traditional IT service firms for top talent, offering 20-30% higher base salaries for similar roles.

Top Job Roles: What’s Hot in 2025?

The days of the generic “Software Engineer” are fading. Job titles are becoming hyper-specific. The following roles dominated job postings throughout the year:

The “Big 5” Roles Dominating Search Results:

1. AI & ML Engineer:

   • Why: Every product is integrating Generative AI (GenAI).

   • Key Tech: Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, LLMs (Large Language Models), RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation).

2. Full-Stack Developer (The “Super-Stack”):

   • Why: Startups and mid-sized firms want one engineer who can “do it all.”

   • Key Tech: MERN Stack (MongoDB, Express, React, Node), Next.js, Cloud-Native APIs.

3. Cloud Architect / Engineer:

   • Why: Multi-cloud strategies are the norm.

   • Key Tech: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kubernetes, Docker.

4. Cybersecurity Analyst / Architect:

   • Why: AI-driven cyber threats have made security a board-level priority.

   • Key Tech: SIEM tools, Ethical Hacking, Cloud Security, Zero Trust Architecture.

5. Data Scientist / Analyst:

   • Why: Data is the fuel for the AI engine.

   • Key Tech: SQL, PowerBI, Tableau, Statistical Modeling, Big Data (Hadoop/Spark).

2025: Whom Are Companies Looking For?

Recruiters on Naukri and TimesJobs are no longer focused only on degrees. They preferred job-ready professionals with real-world skills.

• The “AI-Augmented” Coder:

  Companies do not want coders who just write syntax; they want engineers who use AI tools (like GitHub Copilot) to write code 50% faster and spend the rest of their time on architecture and problem-solving.

• The “Hybrid” Professional:

  • Example: A Developer who knows DevOps.

  • Example: A Data Scientist who understands Business Strategy.

• The “Resilient” Learner:

  With the half-life of a tech skill dropping to 2.5 years, companies prioritize candidates with a proven track record of upskilling (certifications, hackathons on TechGig/Kaggle).

Key attributes companies valued:

• Hands-on project experience (not just certifications)
• Strong fundamentals in programming and system design
• Cloud and DevOps exposure
• AI/ML deployment or production experience
• Problem-solving and communication skills
• Ability to work in cross-functional, product-oriented teams

Candidates with GitHub portfolios, case studies, and measurable project impact stood out the most.

Salary Range for IT Jobs in India (2025)

Salaries have corrected from the 2022 bubble but remain strong for niche skills. Salaries varied widely depending on role, experience, company type, and location.

(Figures are annual packages in INR)

Note: “Product” companies and GCCs typically pay at the higher end of these brackets, while “Service” companies generally pay at the lower to mid-end.

Prospects for IT Jobs in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, the job market will shift further. We are moving from “Chatbot AI” to “Agentic AI” (AI that does things, not just talks).

Rising Stars for 2026:

• AI Governance & Ethics Specialist: As governments regulate AI, companies need experts to ensure compliance and bias mitigation.
• Prompt Engineering is evolving into “Model Operations” (ModelOps): It’s no longer just about writing prompts; it’s about managing the lifecycle of AI models in production.
• Green IT / Sustainability Tech: Roles focused on reducing the carbon footprint of massive data centers.

Fading Roles (Red Alert):

• L1 Tech Support: Rapidly being replaced by automated AI bots.
• Manual QA Testing: Shifting entirely to automated testing scripts.
• Legacy Maintenance: “Keep the lights on” jobs are shrinking; modernization is the priority.