India Tech Hiring Falls 8% in April 2026, Marks Second-Weakest FY Start in Six Years

India's technology sector opened fiscal year 2027 with a notable hiring slowdown, recording 110,000 active job openings in April 2026 — an 8% drop from March and the second-lowest fiscal-year start in over six years, per Xpheno data. IT Services, the sector's largest employer, saw openings fall to 43,000, while Global Capability Centres recorded a steeper 21% monthly decline to 15,000 openings. Tech's share of total active talent demand in India slipped below 50% for the first time in months, with mid-junior roles hit hardest at a 25% drop. Industry observers attribute the cooling to global economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and companies prioritising AI-driven efficiency over headcount growth. Entry-level and early-career professionals face the sharpest challenges, though Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities offered a rare bright spot with 10% year-on-year growth in demand.