India's EPC sector to create 25M jobs by 2030
What's the story
India's Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) sector is poised to be a major job creator in the coming years. A report by HR solutions provider CIEL HR has projected that the sector will generate over 25 million jobs by 2030. The prediction is based on the rapid growth of infrastructure development across the country.
Job growth
EPC sector's hiring demand surges since 2020
The CIEL HR report, titled 'EPC Sector Talent Study, 2025,' reveals that the EPC sector has witnessed a whopping 51% increase in hiring demand since 2020. The study found that over 85 million people are employed in this sector across both organized and unorganized segments. Of these, some seven to eight million professionals constitute the EPC workforce employed by leading companies.
Future prospects
Job creation to continue amid infrastructure expansion
Aditya Narayan Mishra, Managing Director and CEO of CIEL HR, said that the EPC sector's job creation will continue as infrastructure development expands. He emphasized that as millions enter the labor pool every year, this sector will continue to absorb a significant share of India's workforce. The prediction is based on an analysis of 227,000 job postings from July 2024 to August 2025 across top job portals.
Tech impact
AI to boost efficiency in EPC sector
The study also found that artificial intelligence (AI) will not threaten jobs in the EPC sector, but will rather enhance its growth. AI is expected to improve efficiency at project sites, streamline planning and engineering processes, and optimize supply chain management. Mishra said India's development model now aims for balanced growth between rural and urban areas, further increasing manpower demand as rural infrastructure develops.
Urban influence
Tier I cities dominate hiring demand
The study revealed that Tier I cities account for 80% of the EPC sector's hiring demand, with Mumbai and Delhi leading at 23% and 22%, respectively. This highlights the growing demand for experienced and specialized talent in core engineering and project delivery roles that underpin large-scale infrastructure projects. Tier II and III cities contribute to the remaining 20% of hiring demand, mainly driven by execution-focused roles supporting major government and private-sector projects.