As per professional networking platform Apna, it was reported that in the first quarter of this year, women’s labour involvement increased due to flexible work arrangements, inclusive hiring practices, and increased opportunities in Tier II and III cities. The platform received a record-breaking 1.81 crore job applications, a 30 per cent rise from the previous year according to Apna’s most recent 'India at Work - Q1 2025' report. This indicates India’s increasing economic optimism and the growth in digital hiring across all industries.
With over 62 lakh applications—a 23 per cent increase year over year—women’s employment involvement skyrocketed. According to the survey, flexible work arrangements, gender-inclusive hiring practices, and increased opportunities in industries like BPO, finance, and human resources were the main drivers of this rise, which was especially noticeable in Tier II and III cities like Chandigarh, Indore, and Jamshedpur. Over 66 lakh applications were submitted by freshers, representing a 46 per cent increase from the previous year.
Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) led the way with over 2.1 lakh job listings, including 28,547 positions specifically for women on Apna. According to the research, enterprise recruiting increased significantly as LIC, Paytm, Delhivery, and Flipkart created over 1 lakh positions, extending recruitment outside of metro areas and utilising the national talent pool.
More than 40 per cent of new users were from Tier II and Tier III cities, many of which saw a double-digit spike in job applications. The number of women applying for enterprise roles increased by 92 per cent and over 66 lakh fresh applications were received. Compared to last year, Apna saw a 65.4 per cent increase in job advertisements for software/web developer positions in Q1 2025, as well as a 42.2 per cent increase in fresher applications for similar positions.
As businesses in these areas develop their digital capabilities, this increase underscores the rising demand for specialised workers in domains like AI/ML, cybersecurity, business analytics, and data-driven operations. Cities like Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Rajkot, and Warangal are quickly becoming important participants in the tech hiring landscape, even as traditional tech hubs like Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai continue to dominate.
Due to improved availability to engineering expertise, certifications, and more robust digital infrastructure, these locations have seen a 30–50 per cent increase in tech job applications annually. The trend towards decentralised tech talent clusters is accelerating, as India's digital economy is expected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2030. According to the report, Tier II and Tier III cities are leading India's digital future, encouraging innovation, and changing the tech recruiting landscape for years to come.