~ Women’s workforce participation soared, driven by flexible work, inclusive hiring, and rising opportunities in Tier 2 and 3 cities like Chandigarh, Indore, and Jamshedpur.
~ Rajkot, Warangal, and Meerut saw rise in Fresher’s Hiring
Mumbai, April 28, 2025 – The Indian job market kicked off 2025 with remarkable momentum, driven by increased hiring activity, greater workforce participation from women and freshers, and growing job demand in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. As reported in Apna’s “India at Work – Q1 2025,” more than 1.81 crore job applications were submitted between January and March, marking a 30% increase from the same quarter last year and highlighting a robust rebound along with a surge in digital-first hiring across various sectors.
Women Take the Lead in India’s Changing Workforce
In the first quarter of 2025, women professionals demonstrated strong momentum by submitting 62 lakh job applications, marking a 23% increase compared to the same period last year. A standout trend was the 92% surge in applications for enterprise roles from women, especially in cities beyond the metro belt. Towns like Indore, Jamshedpur, and Chandigarh saw high engagement, thanks to more inclusive hiring policies, flexible work arrangements, and increasing openings in BPO, finance, and human resources.
Fresh Talent Fuels the Growth Engine
India’s young job seekers — especially fresh graduates — played a key role in this employment upswing. With 66 lakh applications from entry-level candidates, the segment saw a 46% rise compared to Q1 2024. New hiring hotspots have emerged in smaller cities like Rajkot, Meerut, and Warangal, as employers broaden their search beyond metro boundaries to tap into new pools of skilled talent.
Job Postings Grow, Led by SMBs and Expanding Enterprises
Apna also noted a significant uptick on the employer side. The platform saw 3.1 lakh job listings, a 26% increase from last year’s Q1 figures. Small and medium-sized businesses led this growth with over 2.1 lakh job posts, including nearly 29,000 roles designed specifically for women. Enterprises like Flipkart, LIC, Paytm, and Delhivery added over 1 lakh jobs, focusing heavily on talent from non-metro cities.
Decentralized Hiring: A New Era of Access
Commenting on this shift, Apna’s CEO Nirmit Parikh said the platform is fulfilling its mission of bringing opportunity to every corner of the country.
“What we’re seeing isn’t just a rise in numbers—it’s a shift in mindset. From Delhi to Dehradun and Surat to Samastipur, the hiring process has become genuinely decentralized. More than 40% of our new users this quarter came from smaller towns and cities, many of which saw double-digit increases in applications.”
He highlighted the expanding role of AI in streamlining job matches and reducing time-to-hire.
“Behind those 1.81 crore applications are real stories of ambition. People are no longer just finding a job — they’re finding the right job, and they’re doing it faster.”
Tech Job Demand Spikes in Smaller Cities
India’s tech hiring landscape is also evolving. The demand for software and web developers spiked in Q1, with Apna recording a 65.4% increase in related job postings. Simultaneously, freshers applying for these roles grew by 42.2% over last year. Companies are increasingly looking for talent skilled in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and business intelligence — not just in metros but in emerging digital centers.
While cities like Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai still dominate, smaller urban centers including Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, and Rajkot saw 30–50% year-over-year growth in tech job applications. The spread of digital infrastructure and rise of remote work have made these locations critical parts of India’s tech ecosystem.
India’s Digital Workforce Revolution is Underway
With projections showing India’s digital economy reaching $1 trillion by 2030, this early-year data suggests a clear shift: Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are no longer just catching up — they’re shaping the future of work. Tools powered by artificial intelligence are not only making hiring more efficient but are also helping bridge the gap between job seekers and meaningful careers.
About Apna
Founded in 2019, apna.co has grown into one of India’s top platforms for job discovery and professional networking. Apna serves more than 59 million users across 900+ cities, offering opportunities in over 200 job categories and collaborating with 700,000+ employers to connect job seekers with the right roles. Its mission is clear: unlock career opportunities for every Indian, regardless of geography or background.
For further information: Tushar Chavan 9004056574, Value360 Communications.
