India is renowned for its dynamic and supportive startup ecosystem. Startups are emerging across various sectors—including IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail—driving a significant hiring surge in 2025. This hiring boom is creating diverse job opportunities for both experienced professionals and fresh graduates.
Key factors contributing to this growth include strong funding support from global investors, the rise of tier-2 cities as employment hubs, and a noticeable shift from degree-based to skill-focused hiring practices. To secure stable employment in 2025, both working employees and freshers must stay informed about startup hiring trends, enhance their technical skills in emerging areas such as AI and automation, and develop strong soft skills.
Startup Hiring Trends in India, 2025
Startup hiring in India witnessed a 32% year-on-year surge in April 2025 across various roles, according to a report by Foundit. This increase is primarily driven by key sectors such as retail, e-commerce, FMCG, automotive, travel, and hospitality. The hiring momentum is further reinforced by a 22% rise in new startup registrations over the past year. Notably, hiring in the IT services sector accounted for 32% of total job postings, up from 23% last year. The healthcare sector also recorded good growth in hiring, rising from 6% to 9%, with a particular emphasis on tech-driven roles.
The current hiring trend indicates a rising demand for experienced professionals to promote innovation and ensure sustainable development. Foundit CEO, Mr. Suresh, highlighted a year-on-year decline in fresher hiring (0 to 3 years of experience), which dropped from 53% in April 2024 to 41% in April 2025. This shift has contributed to a notable increase in hiring mid-level professionals with 4 to 6 years and 7 to 10 years of experience, accounting for 28% and 15% of hiring, respectively.
Factors Driving Startup Growth in India
- Increase in Funding: After declining from $36 billion in 2021 to $10.9 billion in 2024, startup funding rebounded with a 14% year-on-year increase in 2024. This recovery has facilitated hiring for specialised roles across various sectors.
- Expansion in Tier-2 Cities: Beyond the metropolitan hubs, Tier-2 cities like Coimbatore, Indore, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Bhubaneshwar are experiencing a rise in startups. This is reflected in the job growth from 9% in April 2024 to 31% in April 2025.
- Emphasis on Green Jobs: Green jobs have grown by 41% over the last two years, particularly in renewable energy, electric vehicles (EV), and green hydrogen projects. This growth is driven by global net-zero targets and domestic initiatives, including supportive schemes and subsidies in the Union Budget 2025–26. Bangalore, Pune, and Delhi have emerged as key hubs for green employment.
- Priority on Skill-Based Hiring: The shift from degree-based to skill-based hiring has widened job availability, allowing candidates to secure roles aligned with their abilities, regardless of formal educational qualifications. This approach supports business growth through diverse talent.
- Government policy support: Government schemes such as Startup India and Digital India along with policy interventions in Union budget 2025-26, fostered a supportive ecosystem for startup growth, further enhanced by increased private investments and middle-class spending.
- Return of Indian Professionals from Abroad: A growing number of Indian professionals are returning from abroad, particularly from Silicon Valley, to launch startups in India. Attracted by favourable policies and funding support, they generate new employment opportunities and bring global expertise to the domestic market.
Skills Demanded by Startups in 2025
- Adaptability and Resilience: Startups often operate in dynamic environments, frequently experimenting with new strategies and business models. Employees are expected to adapt to changing project requirements, solve problems with unique approaches, and contribute to sustained business growth.
- Digital and AI Proficiency: As technology continues to evolve, startups seek talent skilled in advanced technologies such as AI and automation. Proficiency in data analytics, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and machine learning can also significantly enhance a candidate’s competitiveness in the job market.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Startup leaders value individuals with an innovative and entrepreneurial outlook—those who take ownership of projects, embrace calculated risks, and formulate strategies that drive business growth.
- Teamwork: Given the collaborative nature of startups, strong communication and teamwork skills are essential. Employees must effectively coordinate with diverse teams to align on project goals and ensure steady progress.
Insights for Employees and Freshers
Employees and freshers have promising job opportunities in Indian startups in 2025. Digital literacy and a sound understanding of technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence and automation, are essential to stand out in a competitive job market across sectors. These technical skills can be acquired through short-term certifications and personal projects.
Taking initiative in projects, maintaining open communication, and experimenting with innovative strategies contribute significantly to the development of soft skills. Building a strong resume and portfolio is crucial in influencing selection during the early stages of the recruitment process. Engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn can help identify in-demand skills, explore new job openings, and gain potential knowledge into industry trends.
By applying these strategies, employees and freshers can successfully secure opportunities in leading Indian startups in 2025.
Conclusion
Startup hiring in India in 2025 is generating numerous and diverse job opportunities across key sectors such as IT, retail, e-commerce, healthcare, and hospitality. But, currently, startups are prioritising experienced professionals over freshers who can contribute to sustained growth. Although funding support had declined between 2021 and 2024, got revived again, enabling better startup expansion in 2025.
The emergence of tier-2 cities as employment hubs is also opening up opportunities for local talent in well-developed startups. Overall, working in startups empowers individuals to engage in challenging projects, devise innovative solutions, adapt to evolving requirements, and enhance their skills for long-term career growth.
