Photo used for representational purpose
LinkedIn’s inaugural “Cities on the Rise” list has identified Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Nashik and Raipur, in that order, as the fastest-growing non-metro hubs where professional opportunity is growing.
This location-based ranking is powered by LinkedIn’s exclusive data that captures growth in hiring, job creation and talent inflows across India, said a press release.
The report holds significance as four out of five Indian professionals are looking to switch jobs this year. The list highlights emerging tier-2 and tier-3 growth pockets for professionals looking to relocate, tap into new industries, or grow their careers locally. Rajkot, Agra, Madurai, Vadodara and Jodhpur are the other cities that made it to the top 10.
In a communication, Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor says, “The influx of GCC investments, the local MSME boom, and the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat are collectively turning smaller cities into serious career hubs. This means, for many Indians, meaningful career progress no longer demands moving to a big city. Because these 10 rising cities offer real opportunities across industries, functions and roles.”
Companies in Tech, Pharma and Finance are hiring for Business Development and Engineering functions.
Business Development roles are the top hiring drivers in 6 out of 10 Cities on the Rise, including Nashik, Raipur, Rajkot, Agra, Vadodara and Jodhpur. For professionals in Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Madurai, most job opportunities are emerging in the Engineering function. Sales, Operations and Education are other key functions where professionals in tier-2 and tier-3 cities can look for jobs, says the report.
The government is building smarter cities to turn hometowns into career hotspots.
The Central and state governments’ push to local development is playing a crucial role in the rise of emerging cities, especially for Ranchi where smart city initiatives are making the capital a go-to for Jharkhand’s professionals; and Rajkot where urban planning to improve road connectivity is fuelling economic growth. Chhattisgarh government’s ambition of ‘Naya Raipur’ is also ramping up investments in the city’s infrastructure.
Published – July 17, 2025 10:06 pm IST
