India’s Fastest-Growing Jobs Trends in 2026: As we enter 2026, amid fierce competition, the rise of AI, and shifting skill demands, the world of work is in a constant state of transformation.
According to recent LinkedIn research published last Wednesday, 80 per cent of global talent feel unprepared to find a job in 2026.
Similarly, about 84 per cent of Indian working professionals also feel unprepared for job hunting, despite a majority—72 per cent—planning to pursue it this year, the report highlighted.
Furthermore, it highlighted that the number of applicants per open role in India has more than doubled since 2022.
As a result, it has intensified pressure on job seekers and contributed to a widespread feeling of unpreparedness.
The LinkedIn Jobs Rise 2026 report, released on January 8, highlighted the fastest-growing jobs in India, suggesting a rise of technical and leadership roles in AI, rather than the traditional hierarchy of career paths.
It indicates job roles such as AI engineers, prompt engineers, and AI managers are now among the most prominent.
Additionally, advisory positions like strategic advisor and director of business development are gaining significance as well.
In contrast to the automation trend, behavioural therapists and veterinarians have also featured in the top 10.
LinkedIn Jobs on Rise: Top 10 fastest growing jobs in India 2026
| RANK | JOB TITLE | TOP SKILLS | KEY LOCATIONS | GENDER (F/M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prompt Engineer | LLM, Prompt Design | Bengaluru, Delhi | 35% / 65% |
| 2 | AI Engineer | PyTorch, Deep Learning | Bengaluru, Hyderabad | 22% / 78% |
| 3 | Software Engineer | SDLC, Kubernetes | Hyderabad, Bengaluru | 28% / 72% |
| 4 | Manager of AI | MLOps, RAG | Bengaluru, Delhi | 26% / 74% |
| 5 | Strategic Advisor | GTM Strategy, M&A | Delhi, Bengaluru | 21% / 79% |
| 6 | Media Buyer | Performance Marketing | Delhi, Kolkata | 25% / 75% |
| 7 | Sales Specialist | Export Ops, Int’l Business | Bengaluru, Mumbai | 28% / 72% |
| 8 | Behavioural Therapist | Applied Behaviour Analysis | Bengaluru, Hyderabad | 81% / 19% |
| 9 | Veterinarian | Animal Health, Surgery | Bengaluru, Hyderabad | 13% / 87% |
| 10 | Solar Consultant | Solar PV, System Design | Nagpur, Lucknow | 8% / 92% |
Source: LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2026: The fastest-growing jobs in India