In 2025, global businesses are increasingly choosing to hire Drupal developers in India to power their digital transformation initiatives. From content-driven websites and eCommerce platforms to enterprise-level CMS migrations, Indian Drupal developers bring unmatched expertise and cost efficiency to global projects.
As an open-source CMS, Drupal powers millions of websites globally and India is one of the largest contributors to its developer community. With a vast talent pool, strong PHP and backend expertise, and exposure to global clients, India offers a reliable source of skilled Drupal developers for international employers.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know before hiring Drupal developers in India from required skills and salaries to legal compliance and how Employer of Record (EOR) services in India like Asanify can make global hiring faster, easier, and fully compliant.
Why Global Companies Hire Drupal Developers from India
India’s developer community has become central to the global Drupal ecosystem. Thousands of Indian professionals contribute to Drupal core modules, manage enterprise CMS deployments, and build scalable digital platforms for Fortune 500 companies.
Top Reasons to Hire Drupal Developers in India
- Strong Technical Foundation: Developers skilled in PHP, MySQL, and Symfony core components of Drupal.
- Cost Advantage: Hire Drupal developers in India at 60–70% lower costs than U.S. or European markets.
- Open-Source Community Presence: India ranks among the top Drupal contributor nations.
- English Proficiency: Enables smooth collaboration with global teams.
- Time-Zone Flexibility: Overlaps with both U.S. and European working hours.
- Scalability: Easily expand or contract teams with remote-ready Indian developers.
India’s combination of technical depth, cultural compatibility, and cost-effectiveness makes it the ideal destination for building high-performance Drupal teams through direct or EOR hiring models.
Suggested Read: Hire Software Developers in India: The Complete 2025 Guide
Core Skills to Look for When You Hire Drupal Developers
When you hire Drupal developers, it’s critical to assess their proficiency in both backend and front-end development to ensure efficient site performance and flexibility.
Technical Skills
- Languages: PHP, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and SQL.
- Frameworks & Tools: Symfony, Composer, Drush, Git, Docker.
- Drupal Expertise: Custom module development, theme creation, and headless Drupal integration (JSON:API, GraphQL).
- Database Management: MySQL and PostgreSQL.
- Frontend Frameworks: React, Vue, or Angular for decoupled Drupal setups.
- Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for hosting and scaling.
Soft Skills
- Clear communication and project documentation.
- Experience in agile or scrum workflows.
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking.
- Remote collaboration discipline and cross-time-zone adaptability.
When evaluating candidates, look beyond code proficiency. Seek developers who contribute to Drupal.org, have a portfolio of live projects, and understand both technical and business logic.
Average Salaries of Drupal Developers in India (2025)
Hiring Drupal developers in India is cost-efficient compared to hiring in North America or Europe, without compromising quality or delivery standards.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (INR) | Annual Salary (USD) |
| Junior (0–2 years) | ₹4,50,000 – ₹7,00,000 | $5,400 – $8,400 |
| Mid-Level (3–5 years) | ₹9,00,000 – ₹16,00,000 | $10,800 – $19,200 |
| Senior (6–10 years) | ₹18,00,000 – ₹30,00,000 | $21,600 – $36,000 |
| Lead/Architect (10+ years) | ₹35,00,000 – ₹50,00,000 | $42,000 – $60,000 |
City-Based Salary Variations
- Bangalore & Pune: ₹15–30L – higher due to IT concentration.
- Hyderabad & Chennai: ₹12–25L – steady demand for CMS developers.
- Delhi NCR & Kolkata: ₹10–20L – balanced cost-to-talent ratio.
- Remote Developers: Often 10–15% more affordable.
Leveraging payroll software India ensures accurate payment management, currency conversions, and tax compliance when hiring globally distributed Drupal teams.
How to Hire Drupal Developers in India Step-by-Step Process
The process of hiring Drupal developers in India can be simple and effective when done strategically. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown for global employers.
1. Define Your Project Requirements
- Identify project type: Drupal website build, migration, or API integration.
- Determine whether you need front-end, back-end, or full-stack Drupal expertise.
- Specify engagement model full-time employee, contract, or remote.
2. Source Talent from Reliable Platforms
- Job Portals: Naukri, AngelList, and LinkedIn.
- Developer Communities: Drupal.org, Stack Overflow, and GitHub.
- Employee Hiring Agencies in India: Pre-vetted candidates for faster turnaround.
- EOR Providers: Offer compliant hiring, onboarding, and payroll under one system.
3. Assess and Shortlist Candidates
- Review GitHub profiles, module contributions, and portfolio sites.
- Conduct practical coding tests (custom module or site migration challenges).
- Evaluate English proficiency and remote work adaptability.
4. Manage Onboarding, Payroll, and Compliance
- Draft contracts aligned with Indian labor laws.
- Handle tax deductions (TDS), EPF, and ESI contributions.
- Simplify through an Employer of Record (EOR) in India for compliance, payroll, and employee benefits.
Direct Hiring vs. EOR Hiring in India
| Criteria | Direct Hiring | Employer of Record (EOR) |
| Legal Entity Needed | Yes | No |
| Time to Hire | 2–3 months | 1–2 weeks |
| Compliance Management | Employer-managed | Handled by EOR |
| Payroll & Taxation | Manual setup required | Automated via payroll software |
| Employee Benefits | Must be managed internally | Managed by EOR |
| Cost Efficiency | Higher due to setup & legal fees | Lower and pay-per-hire model |
| Best For | Large enterprises with presence in India | Startups & remote-first companies |
Takeaway: Hiring through an EOR service provider in India like Asanify eliminates the need for entity setup while ensuring legal compliance, accurate payroll, and rapid onboarding.
Legal and Compliance Considerations When Hiring in India
Hiring employees in India requires adherence to local labor, tax, and data protection regulations. Non-compliance can result in fines and legal complications.
Key Legal Factors
- Employment Classification: Distinguish between contractors and full-time employees.
- Payroll Compliance: Deduct and remit TDS (Tax Deducted at Source).
- Social Security Contributions: EPF, ESI, and gratuity compliance.
- Data Protection: Follow the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) for user and employee data.
- Intellectual Property: Ensure code and deliverables are contractually owned by your company.
Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) in India helps global companies handle all these responsibilities seamlessly, from onboarding to payroll and benefits administration.
Key Challenges When Hiring Drupal Developers from India
While hiring from India offers many benefits, employers must anticipate and address common challenges for long-term success.
- Skill Verification: Evaluating real Drupal experience remotely can be tricky.
- Compliance Complexity: Foreign employers may struggle with Indian employment laws.
- Retention Challenges: The competitive tech market increases attrition risk.
- Communication and Time Zones: Require structured collaboration systems.
- Cross-Border Payments: Managing multi-currency payroll and taxation.
These hurdles can be effectively managed by using global EOR services and payroll software India, ensuring compliant hiring and strong retention.
How Asanify Simplifies Drupal Developer Hiring in India
Asanify makes it effortless for global companies to hire Drupal developers in India without setting up a local entity. Through its Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll software platform, Asanify handles every step of employment from onboarding and contracts to salary processing and compliance.
Why Global Employers Choose Asanify
- Legally employ developers through Asanify’s EOR infrastructure.
- Automate payroll, benefits, and tax compliance.
- Ensure full adherence to Indian labor laws.
- Onboard skilled Drupal developers within 7–10 business days.
- Transparent pricing and real-time reporting.
With Asanify’s global EOR services, your Drupal team in India is fully compliant, efficiently paid, and ready to contribute freeing your HR team to focus on strategy, not administration.
Suggested Read: Hire Web Developers in India: Complete 2025 Guide
Conclusion
India continues to be the global hub for Drupal development, offering access to highly skilled, cost-effective professionals. Whether you’re building enterprise-grade CMS systems or managing open-source web applications, hiring Drupal developers in India provides both quality and scale.
For seamless hiring, onboarding, and compliance, Asanify serves as your trusted Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll partner enabling you to expand your Drupal team in India without legal or administrative hassles.
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire Drupal developers in India in 2025?
Drupal developers in India typically earn between $5,000 and $60,000 annually depending on experience and location.
Yes. Using an Employer of Record (EOR) like Asanify allows you to hire legally without forming a subsidiary.
Look for expertise in PHP, Drupal 9/10, custom modules, API integration, and front-end frameworks like React or Vue.
Drupal.org, LinkedIn, Naukri, and Stack Overflow are ideal. You can also partner with an employee hiring agency in India or EOR provider.
An EOR handles contracts, payroll, benefits, and compliance on your behalf, simplifying remote team management.
Employers must follow tax deductions (TDS), social contributions (EPF/ESI), and data protection laws. EOR partners manage these seamlessly.
With Asanify’s streamlined EOR process, you can onboard developers in just 1–2 weeks.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.
