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Key Points

India’s job market is shifting beyond metros, with tier 2-3 cities contributing over 40% of new job seekers. SMBs are leading the charge, posting 2.1 lakh jobs, while firms like Flipkart and Paytm expand recruitment nationwide. Tech roles in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics see a 65% surge, with cities like Indore and Jaipur emerging as key hubs. Remote work and digital infrastructure are fueling this decentralized hiring boom.

Key Points: Tier 2-3 Cities Drive 40% Hiring Surge as SMBs Expand Beyond Metros

  • Tier 2-3 cities see double-digit job application growth
  • SMBs post 2.1L jobs including 28,547 women-exclusive roles
  • Tech hiring surges 65% in AI/ML and cybersecurity
  • Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow emerge as new tech hubs
2 min read

Hiring surges in non-metros as tier 2-3 cities contribute over 40% of new users: Reports

Tier 2-3 cities contribute over 40% of new job seekers as SMBs and firms like Flipkart and Paytm decentralize hiring, reports Apna.

"From Delhi to Dehradun and Surat to Samastipur, hiring became truly decentralized. – Nirmit Parikh, Apna CEO"

New Delhi, April 30

Enterprises have expanded their hiring efforts into non-metro areas, with tier 2 and tier 3 cities accounting for over 40 per cent of new users, according to a report by jobs and professional networking platform Apna.

The report adds that many of these cities also witnessed double-digit growth in job applications, reflecting rising employment activity beyond major urban centres.

According to the "India at Work - Q1 2025" report, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) emerged as the largest job creators, not just in metros, but across over 900 cities.

According to the platform, it has witnessed 3.1 lakh job postings, up 26 per cent from the first quarter of 2024.

As per the report, the SMBs led the charge, posting over 2.1 lakh jobs on its platform, including 28,547 roles exclusively for women. Enterprise hiring rose sharply with companies like LIC, Paytm, Delhivery, and Flipkart creating over 1 lakh openings, expanding recruitment beyond metros and tapping into the national talent pool.

"From Delhi to Dehradun and Surat to Samastipur, we saw hiring become truly decentralised. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contributed over 40 per cent of new users, with many of them showing double-digit growth in job applications," said Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO of Apna, reflecting on India's evolving workforce.

India's digital transformation continues to gain momentum, particularly in Tier 2 cities, where the demand for advanced tech talent is soaring.

In Q1 2025, the platform recorded a significant 65.4 per cent increase in job postings for software or web developer roles, alongside a 42.2 per cent rise in fresher applications for these positions compared to the previous year.

This surge highlights the growing need for specialised professionals in fields such as AI/ML, cybersecurity, business intelligence, and data-driven operations, as enterprises in these regions expand their digital capabilities, the report added.

While traditional tech hubs like Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai maintain their dominance, cities such as Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Rajkot, and Warangal are rapidly emerging as key players in the tech hiring landscape, the report observed.

These cities have experienced a 30-50 per cent year-on-year growth in tech job applications, driven by increased access to engineering talent, certifications, and stronger digital infrastructure, as per the report.

The rise of remote-first work models has further enabled these cities to tap into a broader pool of tech professionals, the report added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is fantastic news! For too long, opportunities were concentrated in metros while smaller cities struggled. Now youth can build careers without migrating to overcrowded cities. Hope this trend continues and more companies recognize tier 2/3 talent. 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
As someone from Jaipur, I've seen firsthand how tech companies are setting up offices here. The quality of life is better with lower costs compared to Bangalore. But infrastructure needs improvement - better public transport and reliable electricity would help sustain this growth.
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Amit S.
Good development but companies must ensure equal pay scales. Often tier 2 city employees get paid less for same roles compared to metro counterparts. Also need more focus on skill development in regional languages for non-tech roles.
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Neha T.
The 65% increase in tech roles is impressive! 🚀 My cousin in Indore just got a cybersecurity job with good salary. Earlier he would have had to move to Pune or Hyderabad. Hope this reduces pressure on metro housing markets too.
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Sanjay V.
While positive, we must ensure this isn't just companies chasing cheaper labor. Quality education in smaller cities needs equal attention - many engineering colleges in tier 2 cities still have outdated curricula. Skill gap remains a challenge.
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Kavita R.
The women-specific job numbers are encouraging! More opportunities in smaller cities mean women can work while staying closer to family support systems. Hope this leads to greater financial independence across India, not just in metros.

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