New Delhi, April 24 -- Demand for AI and machine learning roles rose nearly 40 to 50 per cent year on year in early 2026, with Indian multinational companies posting an 82 per cent jump in hiring. Senior roles paying above Rs 20 lakh annually grew 55 per cent, reflecting a sharp rise in demand for experienced talent. Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi remain the leading hubs, while IT services, BPO and financial services are driving much of the momentum.

The shift is not limited to Indian firms. Global AI players such as Anthropic and other frontier technology companies are increasing hiring globally and expanding their talent footprint, with India increasingly seen as a strategic base for engineering, product and enterprise AI talent.

For compa...