Hiring requests from India’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector increased 20% in April-September 2026, with mid-career professionals accounting for the majority of demand, according to a report by Spectrum Talent Management.
New Delhi, October 17 — Hiring demand in India’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector rose 20% during April-September 2026, driven largely by demand for experienced professionals and specialised technical skills.
According to a report by Spectrum Talent Management, professionals with 4-8 years of experience accounted for around 60% of total hiring demand during the period.
The strongest demand was seen in areas such as regulatory affairs, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, operational excellence, complex generic research and development, supply chain functions and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
The report said the trend reflects a broader shift in the pharmaceutical industry, where companies are moving beyond simply expanding manufacturing capacity and are increasingly investing in specialised capabilities.
This hiring momentum is also being supported by government policies aimed at expanding domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and research.
India’s pharmaceutical Production-Linked Incentive scheme has attracted ₹46,744 crore in investment and created more than 1.21 lakh jobs as of June 2026, according to the report.
The government’s bulk drugs scheme has also commissioned 39 projects across 28 active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting materials.
These initiatives are helping expand domestic pharmaceutical production while also increasing demand for professionals with technical, regulatory, digital and operational expertise.
Atanu Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Talent Management, said the pharma and life sciences industry is moving from simply “adding capacity” to “adding capability”.
Companies are increasingly using a mix of contract and flexible talent to meet evolving workforce needs, while continuing to recruit permanent employees for critical and core positions.
The rising demand for data analytics and AI/ML professionals also highlights how digital technologies are becoming more deeply integrated into pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and business operations.
At the same time, growing demand for regulatory affairs and complex generic R&D professionals reflects the importance of meeting global compliance standards and developing higher-value pharmaceutical products.
The report suggests that India’s pharmaceutical employment market is becoming increasingly skills-driven, with experienced mid-career professionals emerging as the most sought-after talent segment.
