Advanced skills dictate IT firms’ campus hiring as AI reshapes demand
As AI transforms enterprise technology, IT services firms are moving away from large-scale campus hiring towards recruiting fresh graduates with specialized skills in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data engineering. According to HirePro, specialized roles currently account for 30–40% of campus hiring and are expected to rise to 45–55% in FY27, reflecting the growing demand for AI-ready talent.
S. Pasupathi, Chief Operating Officer, HirePro, said, “IT services hiring starts from August-September. But it is safe to assume that hiring within IT services firms is going to be very specialised. And this specialised hiring numbers continue to grow in most of the IT services organisations.”
Highlighting the evolution of campus hiring, Pasupathi added that differentiated salaries for specialized talent are not new but have expanded significantly over the years. What began as “digital talent” hiring with packages of around ₹6 LPA has now evolved into multiple premium salary bands, with select AI-focused skill sets commanding compensation of ₹15–16 LPA, underscoring the increasing value placed on job-ready, AI-enabled talent.