IT Hiring Is Slowing for Freshers: What Nasscom's Numbers Say and 3 Big Openings to Apply for This Month

IT jobs for freshers are harder to land in late 2026. The tech industry is still adding jobs, but slowly, while AI tools take over some routine entry-level work. Freshers who show practical skills, and who also look beyond IT services, have the best chance. Below are the latest numbers and three large openings with deadlines this month.

How many tech jobs is India adding?

According to Nasscom president Rajesh Nambiar, as reported by Nikkei Asia on 7 November 2026, India's tech sector is projected to have about 6 million direct jobs in FY2025-26. The net addition is around 1,35,000 roles, a rise of 2.3%. In the same period, India had about 26 lakh engineering and technology enrolments across 5,903 institutions in the year ending March 2026.

Put simply: many more graduates are entering the market each year than the net number of new tech jobs. Competition for the first job is intense.

Is AI really taking entry-level IT work?

Partly. Large IT firms are reporting strong growth in AI-related revenue while overall revenue growth is slow. Work that freshers used to start with, such as basic testing, simple code fixes and documentation, is increasingly done with AI tools and then checked by a smaller team.

Pay is also under pressure. A survey by the professional community Blind of 2,178 India-based professionals, conducted from 15 to 26 October 2026, found that 35% received no hike or a pay cut this year, as summarised by OffCampusJobs4u.

Also readFestive Hiring 2026: Are Digital Marketing Jobs Opening Up for Freshers?→

What skills still get freshers hired?

• Show, do not list: a small working project on GitHub beats a long list of courses. Our free Git and GitHub series walks you through it step by step.
• Using AI tools well: employers want people who can use AI to work faster and also check its output for mistakes.
• Fundamentals: SQL, one programming language in depth, and clear written communication.
• Domain knowledge: banking, healthcare or logistics knowledge makes a tech fresher more valuable than tech skills alone.

Which big recruitment drives close this month?

If you are open to non-IT roles, these official notifications have November and December deadlines. Always confirm details on the official website before applying.

For the railway apprenticeship, selection is by a merit list based on Class 10 and ITI marks, with no written exam or interview, according to the notification summary.

Also readSalary Negotiation in India: What to Say, When to Say It and What Freshers Can Actually Ask For→

What should a fresher do this week?

1. Pick one project that solves a real problem and publish it on GitHub with a clear README.
2. Apply to two or three of the openings above if they fit your qualification.
3. Update your resume to show results, for example "built a form that saves 2 hours of manual work a week", not just tools.
4. Ask a senior or mentor to review your resume once, honestly.

Frequently asked questions

Are IT companies still hiring freshers in 2026?

Yes, but in smaller numbers, and they expect more practical skills. Net tech job growth is about 2.3%, according to Nasscom's projection reported by Nikkei Asia.

Is there an exam for the Northern Railway apprenticeship?

According to the notification summary, there is no written exam or interview. Selection is by a merit list of Class 10 and ITI marks.

Can I still apply for MPSC Group C if I applied earlier?

Earlier applications remain valid, according to the corrigendum. A fresh window for new applicants and cadre preferences runs from 13 to 27 November 2026.

What is the best skill for an IT fresher now?

There is no single skill. A real project, solid fundamentals and the ability to use and check AI tools together make the strongest case.