
NASSCOM had earlier estimated that India’s IT sector could nearly double its workforce by 2030, expanding from around 5 million in 2025 to 10 million, with artificial intelligence alone expected to create 2–3 million new jobs. However, a Reddit user recently questioned this outlook, calling it “a marketing gimmick.”
According to the post, securing a job as a fresher has become “nearly impossible,” while professionals with gaps in their career also struggle to re-enter the industry. The user claimed layoffs remain common despite frequent discussions about a “skills shortage” and rising demand for tech talent.

Supporting this sentiment, another Redditor shared a personal account: “Got an on-campus placement, received a Letter of Intent, but joining was delayed for a year. Later, the entire batch was laid off. That was the story of 2023 pass-outs.”
A different user noted that even large tech companies are reducing fresher hiring and limiting it to select colleges. “A couple of years ago, our company used to hire interns from 30 colleges. This year, it’s down to just 12, with most tier-2 institutions excluded. The number of interns hired has reduced, though stipends have surprisingly gone up to ₹1.5 lakh per month.”
Despite these challenges, industry reports suggest steady, if slower, growth. According to Quess IT Staffing, India’s IT workforce may reach around 7.5 million by 2030—falling short of the 10 million target but still expanding. By FY27, the sector is expected to employ 6.2–6.5 million people.
Moreover, IT and ITeS roles continue to dominate salary charts across experience levels. As per Indeed’s PayMap survey, freshers earn up to ₹28,600 a month, while professionals with 5–7 years of experience average around ₹68,900.
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