New Delhi: LinkedIn has released its Jobs on the Rise 2026 report for India highlighting the 25 job roles that have grown the fastest over the last three years. On the basis of LinkedIn’s internal data including job postings and member career movements and focuses on roles that show steady growth and strong hiring demand the finding has been done.
As per the data, artificial intelligence, technology, consulting, sustainability and specialised professional roles are shaping India’s job market. Leadership and advisory positions are also becoming increasingly prominent reflecting how companies are adapting to digital transformation, global competition, and shifting consumer needs.
Below is a detailed look at each of the 25 fastest-growing jobs to help job seekers understand what these roles involve.
1. Prompt Engineer
Prompt engineers specialise in communicating with AI systems. They design and fine-tune prompts so that tools like chatbots and large language models deliver accurate, useful and context-aware responses. This role has emerged as AI adoption accelerates across industries.
- Key skills: Prompt engineering, large language models (LLMs), prompt design
- Top hiring industries: Technology, IT services, internet companies, electronics manufacturing
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad
- Gender split (2025): 35 per cent women, 65 per cent men
- Median experience: 1 year
- Common career switches from: Copywriter, software engineer, data analyst
- Work flexibility: 16 per cent remote, 25 per cent hybrid
2. AI Engineer
AI engineers design, build and deploy intelligent systems that can learn from data and automate tasks. The engineers work on machine learning models, deep learning systems and AI-powered applications used in real-world products.
- Key skills: LLMs, PyTorch, deep learning
- Top hiring industries: IT consulting, technology, internet services, business consulting
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR
- Gender split: 22 per cent women, 78 per cent men
- Median experience: 2 years
- Common career switches from: Software engineer, data scientist, data analyst
- Work flexibility: 27 per cent remote, 23 per cent hybrid
3. Software Engineer
Software engineers build and maintain applications, platforms and digital systems. Despite being an established role, demand continues to rise due to the growth of cloud computing, digital services and enterprise software.
- Key skills: Software development life cycle (SDLC), microservices, Kubernetes
- Top hiring industries: IT services, technology firms, internet companies, financial services
- Top hiring locations: Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai
- Gender split: 28 per cent women, 72 per cent men
- Median experience: 7 years
- Common career switches from: Technical architect, data engineer, system analyst
- Work flexibility: 15 per cent remote, 14 per cent hybrid
4. Manager of Artificial Intelligence
These managers oversee AI initiatives along with coordinate teams, manage deployment and ensure AI projects align with business goals rather than focusing purely on coding.
- Key skills: LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), MLOps
- Top hiring industries: IT consulting, business consulting, technology firms
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad
- Gender split: 26 per cent women, 74 per cent men
- Median experience: 6 years
- Common career switches from: Data scientist, product manager, software engineer
- Work flexibility: 5 per cent remote, 23 per cent hybrid
5. Strategic Advisor
Strategic advisors help leaders make high-impact and long-term decisions. They analyse markets, business performance and growth opportunities often working closely with senior management.
- Key skills: Strategic consulting, go-to-market strategy, mergers and acquisitions
- Top hiring industries: Business consulting, technology, IT services
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 21 per cent women, 79 per cent men
- Median experience: 7 years
- Common career switches from: Founder, COO, business analyst
- Work flexibility: 1 per cent remote, 25 per cent hybrid
6. Media Buyer
Media buyers decide where and how advertising budgets are spent. They negotiate ad placements and manage performance across digital and traditional platforms.
- Key skills: Media buying, media planning, performance marketing
- Top hiring industries: Advertising, consulting, technology firms
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bengaluru
- Gender split: 25 per cent women, 75 per cent men
- Median experience: 2 years
- Common career switches from: Digital marketing specialist, SEO executive, ad sales roles
- Work flexibility: 32 per cent remote, 8 per cent hybrid
7. Sales Specialist
Sales specialists focus on targeted or international sales helping businesses grow revenue by understanding customer needs and managing client relationships.
- Key skills: Export operations, international sales, business strategy
- Top hiring industries: E-learning, chemical manufacturing, import-export businesses
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR
- Gender split: 28% women, 72% men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Common career switches from: Business development manager, export manager
- Work flexibility: 6 per cent remote, 5 per cent hybrid
8. Behavioural Therapist
Behavioural therapists help individuals manage mental, emotional and behavioural challenges often working with children or patients with developmental conditions.
- Key skills: Applied behaviour analysis, behavioural therapy, autism care
- Top hiring industries: Healthcare, family services, social services
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai
- Gender split: 81 per cent women, 19 per cent men
- Median experience: 1 year
- Common career switches from: Psychologist, counsellor, teacher
- Work flexibility: 17 per cent hybrid
9. Veterinarian
Veterinarians provide medical care for animals including diagnosis, surgery, and preventive treatment. Demand is rising due to increased pet ownership and animal welfare awareness.
- Key skills: Veterinary medicine, surgery, animal health
- Top hiring industries: Veterinary services, non-profits, food manufacturing
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai
- Gender split: 13 per cent women, 87 per cent men
- Median experience: 1 year
10. Solar Consultant
Solar consultants guide individuals and organisations in adopting solar power solutions, supporting India’s renewable energy push.
- Key skills: Solar PV systems, system design, PVSyst
- Top hiring industries: Renewable energy, power generation, machinery manufacturing
- Top hiring locations: Nagpur, Lucknow, Delhi NCR
- Gender split: 8 per cent women, 92 per cent men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Work flexibility: 13 per cent hybrid
11. Brand Strategist
Brand strategists help companies define who they are and how they are perceived by customers. They develop brand positioning, messaging and long-term identity strategies that align creative ideas with business goals.
- Key skills: Creative strategy, branding and identity, strategic brand consulting
- Top hiring industries: Advertising services, business consulting, technology and internet companies
- Top hiring locations: Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru
- Gender split (2025): 65 per cent women, 35 per cent men
- Median experience: 2 years
- Common career switches from: Copywriter, graphic designer, creative director
- Work flexibility: 5 per cent remote, 6 per cent hybrid
12. Legal Specialist
Legal specialists support organisations by researching laws, drafting legal documents and managing contracts. Their work helps companies stay compliant and reduce legal risks without relying entirely on external law firms.
- Key skills: Legal research, legal documentation, contract law
- Top hiring industries: Legal services, IT consulting, technology and internet companies
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 50 per cent women, 50 per cent men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Common career switches from: Legal researcher, legal analyst, copywriter
- Work flexibility: 4 per cent remote, 13 per cent hybrid
13. Cyber Security Specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect companies from data breaches, hacking attempts and digital threats. Test systems for weaknesses and security of sensitive information are done by cybersecurity specialist.
- Key skills: Ethical hacking, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment
- Top hiring industries: IT services, technology firms, healthcare and human services
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR
- Gender split: 26 per cent women, 74 per cent men
- Median experience: 4 years
- Common career switches from: Software engineer, network engineer, security researcher
- Work flexibility: 11 per cent remote, 18 per cent hybrid
14. Founder
Founders of new businesses or startups set the vision, build teams and drive growth. India’s expanding startup ecosystem has made entrepreneurship one of the fastest-growing career paths.
- Key skills: Entrepreneurship, business ownership, startup leadership
- Top hiring industries: Technology, IT consulting, business services
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 23 per cent women, 77 per cent men
- Median experience: 4 years
- Common career switches from: Software engineer, sales manager, business development manager
- Work flexibility: 18 per cent remote, 13 per cent hybrid
15. Director of Business Development
Directors of business development lead revenue growth and expansion strategies. They form partnerships, enter new markets and guide sales teams to achieve long-term growth.
- Key skills: Strategic partnerships, go-to-market strategy, sales strategy
- Top hiring industries: Technology, IT consulting, business consulting
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Mumbai
- Gender split: 17 per cent women, 83 per cent men
- Median experience: 7 years
- Common career switches from: Sales manager, founder, account manager
- Work flexibility: 3 per cent remote, 7 per cent hybrid
16. Wedding Planner
Wedding planners manage end-to-end wedding events including vendors, budgets, schedules and guest experiences. Demand is rising due to large-scale, destination and personalised weddings.
- Key skills: Wedding planning, event coordination, event production
- Top hiring industries: Event services, hospitality, technology platforms
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 66 per cent women, 34 per cent men
- Median experience: 2 years
- Common career switches from: Event manager, business operations manager
- Work flexibility: 3 per cent hybrid
17. Manufacturing Quality Manager
Manufacturing quality managers ensure products meet safety and quality standards at every stage of production. They handle inspections, testing and compliance in factories.
- Key skills: FMEA, 8D problem solving, APQP
- Top hiring industries: Machinery, transportation equipment, electronics manufacturing
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad
- Gender split: 12 per cent women, 88 per cent men
- Median experience: 7 years
- Common career switches from: Manufacturing engineer, product manager
- Work flexibility: 1 per cent remote, 3 per cent hybrid
18. Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Engineer
ASIC engineers design custom computer chips used in electronics, automotive systems and industrial devices. The role is gaining importance as India invests in semiconductor development.
- Key skills: SystemVerilog, UVM, RTL design
- Top hiring industries: Electronics manufacturing, technology, IT services
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad
- Gender split: 23 per cent women, 77 per cent men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Common career switches from: Software engineer, teaching assistant
- Work flexibility: 8 per cent hybrid
19. Human Resources Manager
HR managers oversee recruitment, employee engagement, compensation and compliance. The role has expanded as companies focus more on talent retention and workplace culture.
- Key skills: Compensation and benefits, succession planning, HRIS
- Top hiring industries: Technology, IT consulting, business services
- Top hiring locations: Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru
- Gender split: 42 per cent women, 58 per cent men
- Median experience: 10 years
- Common career switches from: Founder, general manager, HR consultant
20. Sustainability Manager
Sustainability managers develop strategies to reduce environmental impact and improve responsible business practices including carbon reporting and resource efficiency.
- Key skills: Sustainability reporting, carbon footprinting, life cycle assessment
- Top hiring industries: Consulting, chemical manufacturing, technology
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 44 per cent women, 56 per cent men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Common career switches from: EHS manager, architect, project manager
- Work flexibility: 2 per cent remote, 24 per cent hybrid
21. Account Manager
Account managers focus on maintaining and growing relationships with existing clients, ensuring customer satisfaction while identifying upselling and cross-selling opportunities.
- Key skills: Key account development, customer success, cross-selling
- Top hiring industries: Advertising, technology, IT consulting
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Mumbai
- Gender split: 39 per cent women, 61 per cent men
- Median experience: 5 years
- Common career switches from: Business development manager, customer service manager
- Work flexibility: 4 per cent remote, 3 per cent hybrid
22. Marketing Consultant
Marketing consultants advise companies on campaign strategy, digital presence and customer engagement often working across multiple brands or industries.
- Key skills: Marketing consulting, content marketing, digital marketing
- Top hiring industries: Technology, consulting, IT services
- Top hiring locations: Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 43 per cent women, 57 per cent men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Common career switches from: Founder, account manager, business development manager
- Work flexibility: 8 per cent remote, 25 per cent hybrid
23. Urban Designer
Urban designers plan and design cities, public spaces and infrastructure with a focus on sustainability, accessibility and community needs.
- Key skills: SketchUp, spatial planning, architectural design
- Top hiring industries: Architecture and planning, design services, consulting
- Top hiring locations: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai
- Gender split: 51 per cent women, 49 per cent men
- Median experience: 2 years
- Common career switches from: Architect, urban planner, professor
- Work flexibility: 38 per cent hybrid
24. Commercial Advisor
Commercial advisors guide organisations on business deals, investments and negotiations ensuring decisions are financially and strategically sound.
- Key skills: Corporate advisory, sales prospecting, sales management
- Top hiring industries: Technology, IT consulting, business consulting
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Chennai
- Gender split: 44 per cent women, 56 per cent men
- Median experience: 4 years
- Common career switches from: Project manager, account manager
- Work flexibility: 16 per cent remote, 2 per cent hybrid
25. Risk Management Consultant
Risk management consultants help organisations identify, analyse and reduce risks related to finance, operations, compliance and technology.
- Key skills: IT audit, internal controls, risk analysis
- Top hiring industries: Consulting, IT services, insurance
- Top hiring locations: Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai
- Gender split: 40 per cent women, 60 per cent men
- Median experience: 3 years
- Common career switches from: Software engineer, data analyst, cyber security analyst
- Work flexibility: 17 per cent hybrid