Cleantech sector sees 57% growth in hiring in two years

Mumbai: India's clean energy technology industry has emerged as one of the fastest-growing talent markets, with recruitment surging 56.6 per cent in two years, driven by strong policy push and rising investments towards green energy transition, a report said.

Roles in the cleantech sector include design engineer, process engineer, production engineer, manager-operations and maintenance, among others.

According to a report by HR solutions provider CIEL HR, the cleantech sector has turned into one of the country's most dynamic and fastest-scaling talent markets, with recruitment soaring 56.6 per cent over the past two years.

While growth has moderated in the short term, the sector remains structurally strong, with headcount rising 13.4 per cent year-on-year, the report said, adding that the trend signals a shift from rapid investment-driven expansion to more disciplined, execution-focused hiring.

The report, based on inputs from the workforce across 55 cleantech companies, said hiring was dominated by metro cities, with Delhi/NCR commanding 44 per cent of total job openings.

However, a geographical shift is underway with tier II and III cities emerging as the second-largest hiring hubs, accounting for 30 per cent of openings, followed by Mumbai (9 per cent), Bengaluru (6 per cent), Pune (5 per cent) and other metros (6 per cent).

Despite India producing over one million engineering graduates annually, the talent pipeline remains inadequately aligned with capabilities required in renewable energy systems, storage technologies and grid integration.

The sector also faces a gender imbalance, with women accounting for 11 per cent of the workforce and 15 per cent of leadership roles.

CIEL HR MD and CEO Aditya Narayan Mishra said India’s cleantech sector is poised to become a powerful economic engine, but talent scarcity, skill gaps and under-representation of women remain key constraints.