Is Hiring Activity in India Up by 9% in April? Pharma, Realty, and GCC Sectors Shine: Report
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Synopsis
India's hiring landscape shows a promising 9% growth in April, with the pharma, realty, and GCC sectors leading the charge. This report details the sectors driving employment opportunities and highlights a rise in hiring for fresh graduates, indicating a shift in the job market dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- 9% year-on-year growth in white-collar hiring as of April.
- Strong performance in pharma (+14%) and real estate (+11%).
- Robust demand for specialized IT roles.
- Emerging sectors are diversifying hiring avenues.
- Exceptional growth in fresher hiring in the 13-20 LPA bracket.
New Delhi, May 1 (NationPress) White-collar hiring in India marked a strong beginning to FY 2025-26, achieving a 9% year-on-year growth in April, as reported on Thursday. The analysis from job portal Naukri indicated that this growth was propelled by various sectors, with pharma (+14%), real estate (+11%), GCCs (+10%), and oil and gas (+9%) being the primary drivers of this hiring surge.
The IT/Software Services sector saw a modest growth of +3% in hiring during April. There was particularly strong demand for specialized roles, including full stack data scientists (+30%), Big Data testing engineers (+26%), and data platform specialists (+28%) which experienced significant traction.
Hiring activity among unicorns rose by +15%, surpassing that of foreign MNCs, highlighting ongoing demand across emerging, digital-first enterprises.
The growth in the pharma/biotech sector was driven by a robust demand for Life Sciences professionals (+20%) and research and development experts (+16%). Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune were identified as leading talent hubs in the report.
The recovery in the Oil and Gas sector reversed the previous decline noted in March, bolstered by increased hiring in procurement and supply chain (+25%) and sales and business development (+12%) roles.
"After a few months of subdued growth, it's a positive sign to witness double-digit growth in several core sectors this year,” stated Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.com.
He further emphasized, “The strong demand for premium talent and the increase in hiring for fresh graduates across key non-IT sectors are two significant trends to note.”
Moreover, the report highlighted a 6% year-on-year increase in hiring for fresh graduates in April, with opportunities arising in sectors such as FMCG (+16%), media and entertainment (+15%), oil and gas (+23%), and beauty and wellness (+26%).
The data illustrates a gradual expansion of entry-level hiring avenues beyond the conventional IT and BFSI sectors. Notably, hiring for freshers in the 13-20 LPA salary bracket experienced an exceptional +22% year-on-year increase, marking the highest growth across all experience levels, as per the report.
Point of View
It's imperative to recognize the resilience of India's job market amidst uncertainties. The reported growth in hiring, particularly in sectors beyond traditional IT, reflects a dynamic shift. This diversification is not just encouraging but essential for sustainable economic recovery.
NationPress
24/05/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What sectors are driving the hiring growth in India?
The major sectors driving the hiring growth in India include pharma, real estate, GCCs, and oil and gas.
How much did hiring for fresh graduates increase?
Hiring for fresh graduates rose by 6% year-on-year in April.
Which city emerged as key talent hubs?
Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune have emerged as key talent hubs according to the report.
What was the hiring growth in the IT sector?
The IT/Software Services sector experienced a hiring growth of 3% in April.
What trends are notable in the hiring landscape?
Notable trends include a strong demand for premium talent and increasing hiring of freshers across core non-IT sectors.
