India's Semiconductor Design: From Cost Hub to Capability Powerhouse

In 2025, India’s semiconductor design GCCs saw a slowdown in hiring, followed by a cautious rebound in the fourth quarter. The shift reflects a structural transformation towards specialised roles focusing on VLSI and system software, driven by market demands, cost controls, and strategic hiring priorities.

India's semiconductor design Global Capability Centres (GCCs) experienced a fluctuating hiring landscape in 2025, initially slowing down before a selective rebound in the year's final quarter.

The Careernet report noted a downtrend in open roles across the top 50 GCCs, with a resurgence in certain job categories by December. Although hiring volumes haven't matched early-2025 levels, November and December indicated renewed momentum.

The focal points are a shift from expansion-led hiring to strategic specialisation, aligning with market demands for core VLSI roles and a blend of hardware-software expertise amid ongoing policy support and industry evolutions.