India’s job market recorded over 9 crore applications and 14 lakh job postings in 2025, according to Apna.co’s India at Work 2025 report released on December 22, reflecting rising hiring activity, wider women participation, and increased use of AI-led recruitment across cities.
What changed in the job market in 2025
The job market expanded steadily during the year as employers increased hiring across sectors and regions. Apna reported a 29% year-on-year rise in job applications and a 15% increase in job postings.
Hiring activity extended beyond metro cities. Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations saw higher participation as service-led roles grew across industries.
Key hiring numbers
- Over 9 crore job applications submitted in 2025
- 14 lakh jobs posted, up 15% year-on-year
- Applications rose 29% compared with the previous year
Impact on workers and employers
The job market saw strong participation from women and early-career candidates. Women submitted more than 3.8 crore applications, marking a 36% year-on-year increase.
Fresher applications crossed 2.2 crore during the year. This reflected sustained demand for formal entry-level roles, especially in service-driven sectors.
Women and leadership roles
- Applications for managerial and senior roles crossed 1.1 crore
- Leadership applications grew 35% year-on-year
- BFSI, healthcare, education, retail, and e-commerce made up over 40% of women-led applications
How technology shaped the job market
AI-led hiring tools played a growing role in recruitment workflows. The platform recorded over 73 lakh AI interview sessions during the year.
These sessions accounted for more than 1.9 crore interview minutes. According to the report, AI adoption saved nearly four years of recruiter calling time.
AI-led recruitment data
- 73 lakh AI interview sessions
- 1.9 crore AI interview minutes
- Recruiter calling time reduced across hiring cycles
Sectoral and regional context
Small and medium businesses drove job creation as digital adoption increased. Enterprises also expanded hiring in non-metro markets to support regional operations.
The job market reflected India’s broader economic expansion in 2025, with higher participation across cities and experience levels, according to Apna’s findings.
