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Career Tips
Jan 2026
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ITJobNotify Team

Moonlighting in 2026: Is It Legal for Software Engineers in India?

Moonlighting policies have evolved in 2026. Learn what is legal, risky, and safe for developers.

MoonlightingFreelancingIT Policies
Estimated reading time: 4

Moonlighting in 2026: Is It Legal for Software Engineers?

Moonlighting is no longer a grey area — but it is company-policy dependent.

What Changed After 2024

  • Many startups allow side projects
  • MNCs still restrict paid parallel work
  • Disclosure matters more than secrecy

When Moonlighting Is Safe

  • Open-source or learning projects
  • Freelance work with approval
  • Weekend consulting outside office hours

Learning Resources

Read time: ~4 minutes

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