Artificial intelligence may be driving India’s fastest-growing jobs, but LinkedIn’s 2026 report reveals a surprising mix of human-centric careers, technology, animal care and therapy reshaping the workforce.
India’s fastest-growing jobs are changing faster than most workers can process. New titles appear overnight, with applicants clicking and applying for the jobs as soon as openings appear. Hiring expectations evolve mid-career, and technology is reshaping what it means to be employable.
As artificial intelligence sits at the centre of this transformation, rewriting everything from recruitment to daily work, LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2026 report reveals that India’s workforce is also expanding. The trends show AI-driven roles dominating growth charts, thereby preparing for the future.
How Is AI Shaping The Current Employment Status?
The employment sector in 2026 highlights both urgency and contradiction. Companies are moving towards incorporating artificial intelligence, automating processes and staying globally competitive.
On the other hand, individuals are struggling to keep up, uncertain about which skills will matter tomorrow. The recent report outlines the 25 fastest-growing jobs that capture the tension with striking clarity.
Based on the job posting data over the past three years, the report identifies 25 roles that have shown positive and sustained hiring growth. What emerges is not a job market driven by a single engine but one shaped by overlapping factors, including demographics, mental health awareness, sustainability roles, technology and changing lifestyles.
“AI capability is no longer restricted to technical roles,” says Vrinda Taneja, HR, Media Graphics, MGPR. “LinkedIn’s 2026 jobs data shows AI-related skills now appearing across a majority of job functions, from operations and marketing to finance and HR, signalling that AI literacy has become a core workplace expectation.”
However, employers are no longer impressed by surface-level familiarity with tools alone.
“What organisations increasingly assess is not tool-level proficiency, but judgement around AI use,” Taneja explains. “Candidates who use AI for research, synthesis and validation tend to produce stronger, more original outcomes than those who rely on it as a substitute for thinking.”
Top Roles In The Report
When it comes to the report, the top roles mentioned in the list barely existed years ago. Prompt Engineer, AI Engineer and Manager of Artificial Intelligence now define the cutting edge of employability. These jobs reflect that AI has embedded itself into business strategy, product development and everyday operations.
Prompt engineers, ranked first, exemplify this shift. The professionals are tasked with designing and refining instructions that guide AI systems. Interestingly, many professionals transitioning into this role come from non-traditional backgrounds such as copywriting and data analysis, which also underscores how AI skills are increasingly layered into existing careers rather than outright replacing them.
Yet focusing only on AI would miss the bigger picture. What makes the 2026 list remarkable is what appears alongside these tech-heavy titles.
Careers Beyond Coding And Machines
Among the top 10 fastest growing jobs are Behavioural Therapist (ranked 8) and Veterinarian (ranked 9), which are roles that rely more on physical effort, empathy and care than on algorithms.
Behavioural therapists are in demand as conversations around mental health, emotional well-being and neurodiversity move into the mainstream. Schools, healthcare institutions, workplaces and families are increasingly seeking trained professionals who can address behavioural and psychological challenges.
As mental health becomes a sensitive national concern, the country supports the situation, and the surge of behavioural therapy marks a cultural turning point. It also stands as one of the roles where women are more represented, reflecting significant gender dynamics in care-oriented professions.
Another category in the top 10 reflects changing priorities. With the evolving relationships with animals, the increased focus on livestock health and expanding awareness of animal care have seen immense growth. LinkedIn’s analysis shows opportunities expanding across clinical practice, public health, research and animal care services.
A Workforce That Feels Unprepared
As opportunities continue to evolve, confidence seems to diminish. LinkedIn’s report shares a dark reality of how Indian professionals feel about navigating this transition. According to the data mentioned in the report, “A striking 84 per cent say they feel unprepared to find a new job, even as 72 per cent plan to job-hunt in 2026.”
The hiring processes are becoming complex and are increasingly mediated by AI, around 77% of professionals believe recruitment now involves too many stages, while 66% say it has become impersonal. Nearly half of the applicants feel unsure how to make their applications stand out, citing slow recruiter responses and lack of feedback as major stressors.
With the rising competition in the market, LinkedIn data shows that applicants per open role in India have doubled since early 2022. The pressure felt by both the applicant and the recruiter. The report also talks about how recruiters are under pressure as well. “74 per cent say it has become harder to find qualified talent over the past year, highlighting a paradox of high demand coexisting with skill gaps.”
With these growing anxieties, AI is emerging as a support system rather than just a barrier. Almost 94% of Indian professionals plan to use AI tools in their job search, and 66% say these tools boost their interview confidence. Still, 76 per cent report that finding a new job has become harder over the past year, suggesting that technology alone cannot solve deeper structural mismatches.
How AI Is Changing Hiring Itself
AI is not reshaping jobs; they are transforming hiring timelines and interview structures. “AI has significantly compressed time-to-hire across both technical and communication-led roles,” says Vrinda Taneja.
“In coding, IT, media and PR, AI-enabled platforms now automate early-stage screening, skills assessments and task-based evaluations. What once took weeks and multiple interview rounds is often completed in days.”
However, she notes that AI’s influence is largely limited to the front end of recruitment. “AI can assess technical competence, writing ability and task execution, but it cannot determine cultural fit, ethical judgement or alignment with organisational values,” she says.
“This is particularly critical in media and PR roles, where credibility, tone sensitivity and decision-making under pressure matter as much as skill.” As a result, hiring processes have become leaner but more deliberate.
Employers Shift Focus From Tools To Thinking
According to Sanjeeta Mohta, Finance and Talent Manager, Learning Spiral, employer expectations around AI skills have evolved significantly. “The focus has shifted away from simply using the latest AI technologies to finding employees with strong critical thinking skills,” she says.
“While basic knowledge of AI assistants and automated tools is helpful, the real value lies in using these technologies to solve problems and improve business outcomes.”
Mohta adds that ethical awareness, data privacy and responsible AI use are becoming essential skill sets across roles.
“Employers prefer candidates who work in partnership with AI rather than depending solely on it. Adaptability and a willingness to keep learning matter more than mastering a single tool.”
Rise Of Leadership, Advisory And Specialist Job Roles
The 2026 list highlights strong growth in leadership and advisory roles. Strategic Advisor, Director of Business Development, Commercial Advisor and Risk Management Consultant all feature prominently. Organisations are looking for experienced professionals who can guide decision-making and translate data into strategy.
The experience band for many of these roles ranges from four to seven years, signalling demand for seasoned professionals who can navigate uncertainty. Sales Specialist and Media Buyer roles also point to the enduring importance of human relationships, persuasion and market understanding, even in an AI-saturated environment.
Roles Where Women Are Preferred More
The diversity of roles in the list reflects a shift in how the country lives and grows. Urban Designer reflects the need to rethink cities amid rapid urbanisation, climate pressures and infrastructure demands. Careers like a wedding planner and a brand strategist reveal how service-driven and creative industries are scaling.
Interestingly, brand strategist, wedding planner, HR manager and urban designer are among the roles where women are preferred, pointing to gradual shifts in gender representation across sectors.
Human Resources Manager also features on the list, underscoring how managing people has become more complex in hybrid and AI-enabled workplaces. These roles require strategic planning, digital fluency, and operational expertise.
Competition In Job Roles
Career paths are becoming less linear. The data highlights that 32% of Gen X professionals are considering new roles or functions, while 32% of Gen Z job seekers are exploring opportunities outside their current industry. Entrepreneurship is gaining momentum, with “Founder” among the fastest-growing titles, reflecting both ambition and uncertainty in traditional employment routes.
How The Job Market Is Shaped By People, Not Just Progress
Artificial intelligence is undeniably reshaping India’s job market, redefining skills, titles and hiring practices at unprecedented speed. But the fastest-growing careers are not only about building smarter systems. The future of work will demand adaptability, continuous learning and comfort with technology.
