How MNCs Are Fueling India's Gig Boom: 42% of Jobs Now Driven by Enterprises, Tier-2 Cities Rise as Talent Hubs

India's gig hiring market is undergoing a structural shift, with multinational corporations (MNCs) and large enterprises now accounting for 42% of gig job demand, signaling a move away from startup-led adoption, according to the latest Insights Tracker by foundit.

The report highlights that enterprise-led hiring, the rise of Tier-2 talent hubs, and increasing demand for high-skill remote roles are reshaping the country's gig economy. While startups remain key contributors, large organizations are scaling gig hiring to address specialized skill gaps, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and senior-level roles.

"India's gig market is evolving from a volume-led opportunity into a capability-led talent ecosystem," said Anupama Bhimrajka, Vice President - Marketing at foundit. She added that companies are increasingly leveraging gig workers for agility in high-impact roles, even as remote and hybrid work models expand access to talent.

The report notes that demand is increasingly concentrated in AI-led roles, senior talent, and project-based assignments. White-collar gig jobs are estimated to have grown from 6.8 million in FY25 to 8.23 million in FY26, and are projected to cross 10.2 million by FY27, reflecting strong momentum in specialized hiring.

At the same time, India's overall hiring activity saw a slight moderation in March, with the index declining 5% month-on-month while remaining largely stable year-on-year with 1% growth.

Tier-2 Cities Become Growth Engines

Tier-2 cities are emerging as the primary drivers of future gig hiring growth, with their share expected to rise significantly over the next two fiscal years.

Cities such as Coimbatore, Vadodara, Kochi, and Indore are gaining prominence as talent hubs, supported by growth in IT services, analytics, manufacturing, and global capability center (GCC)-linked roles. Other emerging markets including Jaipur, Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar, and Lucknow are also witnessing increased traction across creative, consulting, and support roles.

Remote Work Dominates

Flexibility remains central to gig hiring trends, with fully remote roles accounting for the largest share of growth. Companies are increasingly tapping distributed talent pools as location becomes less of a constraint in hiring decisions.

Enterprises Outpace Startups

In terms of hiring share, MNCs and enterprises lead with 42% of gig jobs, followed by startups at 32% and mid-sized companies at 27%.

Looking ahead, enterprise participation is expected to grow further, driven largely by GCC expansion. Forecasts suggest enterprise hiring could rise to 31.4% by FY27, compared to 27.9% for startups and 26.8% for mid-sized firms.

The report underscores a broader shift in India's gig economy—from scale-driven hiring to a more capability-focused model—where enterprises, distributed talent, and specialized skills are set to define the next phase of growth.