India’s professional networking and job search platform Apna.co has introduced an AI-powered calling agent designed to reduce hiring timelines by as much as 50%. The launch comes at a time when businesses across sectors are struggling to speed up recruitment while keeping costs under control.

According to Apna, the AI agent can conduct structured candidate interviews in multiple languages, automatically screen applicants, and provide recruiters with detailed summaries. This capability is expected to significantly reduce the back-and-forth process of scheduling, initial screenings, and repetitive candidate queries, thereby cutting hiring time in half.

Automating early-stage hiring

The AI agent functions as a virtual recruiter, conducting initial conversations with candidates to gather essential details such as skills, availability, and experience. Unlike human recruiters who can manage only a limited number of calls per day, the system can handle conversations at scale, across geographies and languages.

By automating these early interactions, recruiters can focus on advanced interviews, negotiations, and candidate engagement. Apna noted that this tool is particularly beneficial for industries with high-volume hiring such as retail, customer service, logistics, and blue-collar roles.

Multilingual reach

One of the standout features is its multilingual capability. Apna’s AI calling agent can interact with job seekers in several Indian languages, broadening accessibility in a market where regional diversity is a key factor in recruitment.

Apna highlighted that India’s workforce is spread across multiple states and language groups, and overcoming language barriers has traditionally been a challenge. With AI-powered multilingual outreach, companies can now reach a wider pool of qualified talent.

Part of a larger hiring evolution

The introduction of AI calling agents reflects a broader industry trend where recruitment platforms are leveraging generative AI and conversational intelligence. A recent report from LinkedIn’s Future of Recruiting 2025 highlighted that nearly 70% of recruiters in India are exploring AI-driven tools for initial candidate screening and interview scheduling.

Recruiters are also increasingly using AI to detect patterns in candidate behavior, predict attrition risks, and assess cultural fit. Apna’s launch builds on this momentum, offering a structured solution aimed at improving efficiency and reducing bottlenecks.

Addressing recruiter pain points

Hiring has long been criticized for its inefficiencies, from prolonged timelines to inconsistent candidate experiences. By automating the repetitive but necessary steps in the process, Apna aims to improve both recruiter productivity and candidate satisfaction.

The company claims that recruiters testing the AI agent have reported significant time savings and higher engagement rates among applicants. While detailed adoption numbers have not been shared, the tool is expected to see wide uptake among companies operating in high-churn sectors.

The bigger picture

Apna’s move aligns with the rapid adoption of AI solutions across the Indian HR tech ecosystem. Platforms like Naukri, Indeed, and others are already experimenting with conversational bots, but Apna’s offering places emphasis on multilingual conversations and structured interview summaries, positioning it as a tailored solution for the Indian market.

Industry analysts believe that while AI cannot replace human recruiters, it can handle scale far better. The challenge lies in ensuring fairness, avoiding bias in screening, and maintaining data privacy. With India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 now in effect, compliance will be a critical factor in the rollout of AI-driven HR tools.

Balancing AI with human touch

Experts emphasize that while AI can reduce timelines and costs, final hiring decisions must retain a human element. Candidates often judge employers based on empathy and cultural alignment, which cannot be replicated by algorithms alone.

For Apna, the AI calling agent represents both a technological leap and a test of how much automation employers and job seekers are ready to accept in the hiring process. As companies increasingly look for scalable and cost-efficient recruitment solutions, the tool could play a defining role in shaping the future of hiring in India.