India’s Cleantech Hiring Surges 57 Percent in Two Years, Delhi/NCR Leads Job Openings

India’s clean energy technology sector has emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing employment markets, with hiring rising 56.6 percent over the past two years, according to a report by HR solutions provider CIEL HR.

The report noted that strong government policy support and rising investments in renewable energy and green technologies have significantly boosted demand for skilled professionals across the sector.

Key roles witnessing demand include design engineers, process engineers, production engineers, and operations and maintenance managers, reflecting the increasing scale of renewable energy deployment and project execution across the country.

Despite strong long-term growth, the sector has witnessed moderation in short-term hiring, with headcount expanding 13.4 percent year-on-year. Analysts say this indicates a transition from rapid investment-driven expansion to a more execution-focused hiring strategy.

Geographically, hiring remains concentrated in major urban centres. Delhi/NCR accounts for 44 percent of total cleantech job openings, making it the largest talent hub in the country. However, Tier II and Tier III cities are rapidly emerging, capturing about 30 percent of job openings, signalling a gradual decentralisation of the workforce.

Other hiring hubs include Mumbai (9%), Bengaluru (6 percent), and Pune (5 percent), with remaining opportunities spread across other metropolitan regions.

The report also highlighted significant talent gaps. Although India produces more than one million engineering graduates annually, the workforce often lacks the specialised skills required in renewable energy systems, energy storage technologies, and grid integration.

Another key challenge identified is the gender imbalance in the sector. Women currently represent only 11 percent  of the workforce and 15 percent of leadership roles, indicating a persistent diversity gap.

Commenting on the findings, Aditya Narayan Mishra, Managing Director and CEO of CIEL HR, said that India’s cleantech industry is at a transformative stage and has the potential to become a major economic growth driver.

However, he noted that talent shortages, skill mismatches, and under-representation of women could limit the sector’s growth unless companies invest in skill development, leadership pipelines, and inclusive workplace practices.

The report also observed that talent scarcity is pushing salaries upward, with 48 percent of cleantech roles offering annual compensation of INR 10 lakh or more, compared to about 40 percent in the IT sector.

Industry experts believe that with India accelerating its renewable energy transition, demand for specialised clean energy professionals is expected to remain strong in the coming years.