The current business landscape is witnessing a significant transformation in Tier 2 cities, positioning them as emerging hubs for both employers and job seekers. Indore, named as the cleanest city in India for 7 consecutive years, is also the financial capital of Madhya Pradesh. This city is now joining the ranks of other rapidly growing Tier 2 cities such as Coimbatore, Lucknow, and Jaipur, all of which are experiencing notable employment growth.
In Indore, employment and business expansion are primarily being driven by key industries including information technology, automobile, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. This industrial momentum is supported by substantial private investments, well-structured government schemes, and modernised technology-integrated infrastructure.
This article explores Indore’s dynamic employment landscape, the major industries fueling job creation, the underlying drivers of growth, and the most in-demand roles across each sector.
Growth by sectors in Indore
Information and Technology
The IT industry in Indore is playing a pivotal role in driving large-scale employment growth across the city. The Indore Special Economic Zone recorded a revenue of ₹4,038.6 crore in FY 2024–25, reflecting a 7% increase from ₹3,781.6 crore in FY 2023–24. This substantial growth is largely attributed to two major technology firms—TCS, with revenues of ₹1,847.9 crore (+7.1%), and Infosys, at ₹817.1 crore (+19.7%).
During the Global Investor Summit (GIS) 2025, technology companies committed to investing approximately ₹25,640 crore in Madhya Pradesh, with the aim of generating around 1.83 lakh job opportunities. Several key factors are fueling this robust expansion of the IT sector in Indore. The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) is currently constructing IT Park-4 in Pardeshipura at a cost of ₹42 crore, expected to create over 1,500 jobs. Additionally, the Indore Development Authority has approved a 22-storey Startup‑cum‑IT Park under a public–private partnership, aiming to accommodate 500 new startups in addition to the existing 1,300.
At the MP Tech Conclave 2025, global brands such as Panchshil Realty, BEL, CtrlS, and RackBank announced significant investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres, with a vision to establish Madhya Pradesh as a leading hub for AI and innovation. Indore’s prominent educational institutions—such as IIM Indore, IIT Indore, and SGSITS (Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology & Science)—continue to supply high-quality tech talent, further strengthening the city’s IT ecosystem and sustaining long-term growth.
Automobile
The automobile industry in Indore is experiencing steady growth, driven by substantial private investments, advancements in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and supportive government initiatives. The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) has received investment proposals from 19 companies for a new industrial site currently under development in Sector 7, Pithampur. These proposals, amounting to ₹7,253 crore, are expected to generate approximately 9,248 employment opportunities, of which a significant share is expected to come from the automotive sector.
EV adoption in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a notable surge, with an 88% increase in registrations as of January 2025, totalling approximately 1.94 lakh electric vehicles. The Madhya Pradesh Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, approved in February, offers substantial subsidies—₹50,000 for electric cars, ₹10,000 for two-wheelers, ₹20,000 for three-wheelers, and up to ₹10 lakh for electric buses. Additionally, the policy provides a 100% exemption on road tax and registration fees.
The policy also promotes new EV registrations across various vehicle categories, targeting 40% for two-wheelers, 70% for three-wheelers, 15% for four-wheelers, and 40% for buses. These incentives are expected to further accelerate the growth of the EV ecosystem and attract continued investment in the automotive sector across the state.
Food processing
The food processing sector in Indore is witnessing steady growth, supported by the development of new food parks, infrastructure investments, and the expansion of agro-based industries. As of May 2025, Indore hosts the highest number of food processing companies in Madhya Pradesh, with a total of 86 units, followed by Bhopal with 47 and Jabalpur with 16.
During the Global Investor Summit (GIS) 2025, the agriculture, horticulture, and food processing sectors collectively attracted investments worth ₹4,000 crore, aimed at generating significant employment opportunities. Indore is also a major center for namkeen production, with a regular output of approximately 150 tonnes per day, which increases to 250 tonnes during festive seasons.
Madhya Pradesh ranks as the third-largest milk-producing state in India. The state’s dairy industry was valued at ₹1,276 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to ₹3,963 billion by 2033, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.75%. These factors collectively contribute to the robust expansion of the food processing sector in Indore and its surrounding regions.
Pharma
Pharmaceutical products accounted for nearly 70% of the total exports from the Indore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in FY 2023–24, underscoring the sector’s strong contribution to the region’s economy. In 2023, Rusan Pharma established a new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing facility at SEZ Pithampur, with an investment of approximately ₹300 crore. This facility has an annual production capacity of 400 tonnes of APIs.
Indore is also a significant center for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) medicine manufacturing, with around 200 units in the city. It has a market value exceeding ₹1,000 crore, and approximately 20 of these manufacturers are now ready for export. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated AYUSH manufacturing cluster with an investment of ₹150 crore, as suggested by the Ayush Nirmata Sangh.
Textile
The textile industry in Indore is witnessing new growth opportunities, marked by the emergence of new textile units and increased investment in infrastructure. At the Regional Skills and Employment (RISE) Conclave held in Ratlam in June 2025, the Madhya Pradesh government secured investment commitments totalling approximately ₹30,402 crore. This includes the development of a new textile park in the Dhar district.
Leading textile companies such as Arvind Ltd. and Noize Jeans have each acquired around 12 hectares of land in Budhi Barlai village, Indore, to establish their own apparel manufacturing units. This initiative involves a combined investment of ₹584 crore and is expected to generate approximately 12,000 employment opportunities.
Additionally, the Plug and Play Park in Indore—currently under construction at a cost of ₹167 crore—will be the first multi-storey garment park in the state. The facility will feature 184 production units, 94 sales offices, and 48 small retail shops.
Indore is home to approximately 1,200 garment manufacturers, with the local market valued at ₹1,000 crore. In 2024, the sector witnessed a 15–20% increase in demand during the festive season, driven by reduced stock availability in the Bangladesh market.
In-Demand Job Roles in 2025
As of June 2025, according to data from Naukri, Indore had approximately 16,805 job openings across IT, textile, pharmaceutical, food processing, and automobile sectors. Among these, the IT sector led with 10,818 openings, followed by the automobile sector (3,693), food processing (1,492), pharmaceuticals (705), and the textile industry (97).
In the IT sector, the demand was almost evenly distributed among software developers (25%), data analysts/data scientists (25%), DevOps engineers (25.2%), and AI engineers (25.2%), reflecting a strong need for advanced technical skills across roles.
The automobile sector showed a high demand for engineers, accounting for 61.5% of total openings, followed by sales managers (18.7%) and sales executives (17.8%). Service managers had the least demand at 2.1%.
In the food processing industry, sales managers were in high demand (43.5%), followed by quality assurance officers (32.4%) and business development managers (20.3%). Demand for food technologists and production supervisors was comparatively lower, at 1.7% and 2.1% respectively.
The pharmaceutical sector had the highest demand for sales representatives (68.4%), with medical representatives (15.7%) and quality assurance specialists (15.9%) sharing an equal demand for the remaining opportunities.
In the textile industry, demand was almost equally split among production supervisors (33%), merchandisers (34%), and fashion designers (33%), indicating a balanced requirement across various job functions.
Indore, like many other Tier-2 cities, is emerging as a promising hub, offering a rich talent pool and diverse employment opportunities for both employers and job seekers. The IT sector continues to lead in job creation, driven by increased investments in AI infrastructure and data centers. The automobile industry’s growth is propelled by rising demand for electric vehicles, while the establishment of food parks, the expansion of namkeen production units, and increased dairy production are accelerating the development of the food processing sector.
Both the pharmaceutical and textile industries are poised for a new phase of growth, supported by the expansion of AYUSH manufacturing units and the establishment of new garment manufacturing facilities by global brands.
In this evolving employment landscape of Indore, it is imperative for both employers and employees to recognise and capitalise on the emerging opportunities to ensure sustainable business growth and long-term career development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key industries driving employment growth in Indore?
2. How is the IT sector contributing to job creation in Indore?
3. What recent developments have boosted Indore’s automobile industry?
4. What makes Indore a growing hub for the food processing sector?
5. What is the employment outlook in the textile industry in Indore?
