Top 5 High-Demand IT Jobs in India 2026: Check Salary & Skill Requirements

Feb 10, 2026, 18:49 IST

The 2026 tech market is defined by a 14% CAGR in the IT/AI sector, prioritising skill-driven roles over traditional degrees. Key high-growth careers include AI/ML Engineers, Data Scientists, and Cloud Architects, with emerging demand for Prompt Engineers and AI Safety Specialists as companies integrate GenAI into core business operations

Top 5 High-Demand IT Jobs in India 2026
Top 5 High-Demand IT Jobs in India 2026

Top IT Jobs 2026: The tech job market is changing rapidly. New tools and tech are redefining job profiles. Are you planning your career or thinking about upskilling? Well, you are not alone. You must focus on roles that will matter most in 2026. The India Skills Report 2026: The Future of Work reveals that hiring momentum focuses where transformation budgets run hottest. It further states that AI and advanced digital roles are in high demand. The report says that Product engineering, GenAI integration, data platforms, and cybersecurity dominate requisitions. Demand for ML engineers, data scientists, and AI safety specialists grows sharply as salary bands stretch for scarce roles. Read ahead to find the top IT and Software Jobs with high demand in 2026.

IT and Software Jobs with High Demand in 2026

Companies are nowadays hiring for skill-driven roles that directly support business objectives. If you are a student or someone planning a career switch, you must be familiar with the roles that will be relevant in 2026. Candidates must identify which IT and software jobs offer long-term growth. This will help them make an informed decision. The India Skills Report 2026: The Future of Work highlights key drivers of the future of work across key sectors. As per the report, the IT and AI industry is expanding at a 14% CAGR. AI/ML engineers, data scientists, cloud architects, prompt engineers, and AI policy analysts are among the emerging roles in the IT & AI industry. Below are the top IT and software jobs with high demand in 2026:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used not just for automation. It actually solves complex business problems across industries. Most of the companies now want systems that learn from data and make smarter decisions. That’s the reason why AI remains one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. AI and ML engineers are needed to build and improve these systems. They train models, improve algorithms, and build smart solutions for real problems. The average salary for an AI/ML engineer in India is around INR 8 LPA. Key skills required for this job profile:

  • Python
  • Understanding of data structures.
  • Basics of natural language processing (NLP)

AI Jobs

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Data Scientist/Data Engineer

Data is nowadays a primary business asset. But companies require talented professionals to interpret the raw data. This is where Data Scientists and Data Engineers come in. Data Scientists review data and build models that help businesses make decisions. Data Engineers build systems that gather, organise, and prepare data for analysis. The average salary of a Data Scientist & Data Engineer is around INR 15 LPA. Key skills you need for this role:
SQL and Python.

  • Big data tools
  • Data visualisation tools.
  • Knowledge of business context.

Cloud Engineer/Cloud Architect

Most companies nowadays do not rely on physical servers to run their business. They use cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. A Cloud Engineer develops and handles those systems. The average salary of a Cloud Architect is around INR 20 LPA. Key skills you need for this role:

  • AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud expertise.
  • Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Infrastructure as Code
  • CI/CD basics.

Prompt Engineer

Companies now have started using large language models for writing, coding, analysis, and customer assistance. They need professionals who can ensure accurate and reliable results from these systems. This is where prompt engineers come in. They design and refine prompts to help AI models deliver reliable outcomes. The average salary of a Prompt Engineer is around INR 6 LPA. Key skills for this role are as follows:

  • Generative AI
  • NLP
  • Model tuning
  • Logical and analytical thinking
  • Basic technical and domain knowledge

Also Check,

Top Marketing Skills

Top In Demand Skills 2026

IT and Software Jobs are not just technical roles. Data, cloud, and AI will drive tech hiring in 2026. The way businesses apply these tools determines which jobs are in demand. AI/ML engineers, data scientists, and prompt engineers are a few emerging roles. Focus on skills that help you handle real business challenges. What you learn today will set you up for success in the job market of 2026.

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Mohd Salman
Mohd Salman

Senior Executive

Mohd Salman is a content expert with over 6 years of experience in the education sector, who has built the categories for the SSC, Railways, Defence, Police, and State Government Exams. He previously worked with organisation like Testbook and holds a B.Tech in Information Technology. At Jagran Josh, he manages and writes for the education beat, covering all educational news for  Govt Jobs notifications, and exams such as UPSC,  Banking and Railways. He can be reached at mohd.salman@jagrannewmedia.com

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