Tech recruitment expected to increase by 12-15% in 2026, according to Adecco India.

Tech hiring across permanent, temporary, and contractual roles is projected to increase by 12-15% in 2026, creating nearly 125,000 new positions as expansion continues across various segments, according to workforce solutions provider Adecco India.

The year 2026 signifies a notable turning point for tech hiring in non-tech industries, as organizations begin to embed AI, data engineering, and cybersecurity talent at the core of their business models rather than treating digital initiatives as auxiliary.

“Hiring in the IT and IT Services sector demonstrated early signs of stabilization throughout 2025. Following a cautious period in 2023-24, demand started to recover in areas related to AI engineering, cloud transformation, cybersecurity, data platforms, and platform modernization.
“Campus recruitment also saw improvements as companies resumed structured early-career initiatives,” said Sanketh Chengappa, Director and Business Head of Professional Staffing at Adecco India.

This gradual increase indicates a sector transitioning from caution to rejuvenation, paving the way for a more pronounced recovery in 2026 as the talent gap expands.

Roles in AI, data, and cybersecurity have evolved from being experimental and optional to essential organizational requirements, with demand surging by 51%. He also noted that 40% of large enterprises have operationalized generative AI pilots.

The insights and statistics shared are based on data collected from over 100 Adecco clients, along with credible market research sources.

According to Chengappa, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have made cybersecurity a board-level priority, while non-tech sectors have accelerated automation by building large-scale cross-functional tech teams.

In 2025 alone, Chengappa remarked that the talent gap has skyrocketed to 44%, leading to a competitive talent landscape and median compensation packages increasing by 18% compared to 2024.

As 2026 commences, businesses across various categories are anticipated to enhance hiring for niche roles as they transition from controlled pilots to full implementation. “With a 45% talent deficit already evident in AI, cybersecurity, and data engineering roles, the market is entering a stage where workforce readiness will dictate the pace of digital transformation. The challenge ahead lies not in creating demand but in ensuring talent availability,” he added.

Sectors such as BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics are at the forefront of this transition, contributing nearly 38% of tech-driven hiring.