India's White-Collar Job Market Experiences 12% Yearly Growth in February
Synopsis
India's white-collar job sector achieved a remarkable 12% growth in February, marking a significant uptick in hiring trends. This report highlights key sectors driving the surge, including IT and AI/ML roles, indicating a robust recovery and promising future.
Key Takeaways
12% YoY growth in white-collar job market for February.
23% month-on-month increase from January to February.
Key sectors driving growth include insurance , BPO/ITES , and real estate .
AI/ML roles saw a 49% increase YoY.
Overall hiring by Indian MNCs increased by 24% YoY .
New Delhi, March 3 (NationPress) - In a remarkable turn of events, India’s white-collar job sector recorded its highest performance for February in recent years, showcasing a 12% year-on-year (YoY) growth from 2,890 to 3,233, as per a report published on Tuesday.
Comparatively, the month-on-month increase from January to February reached 23%, significantly surpassing the usual growth rate of 13–16% typically observed during this transition.
Entry-level hiring (0–3 years of experience) experienced a 17% YoY surge. Demand for positions within the 20+ LPA salary bracket also saw a substantial increase of 23%.
Looking at the sectors, insurance led the way with a 28% increase, followed by BPO/ITES at 22%, real estate at 19%, hospitality/travel at 15%, and retail at 14%.
The IT sector noted a 6% increase after remaining stable in previous quarters, while roles in AI/ML soared by 49% YoY.
Within the IT field, hiring in salary brackets below 20 LPA remained unchanged, while positions in the 20+ LPA category grew by 19% YoY, with roles offering 50+ LPA experiencing a remarkable 45% surge.
During this time frame, fresh IT sector hiring rose by 8%. Indian IT MNCs reported a 55% YoY growth in hiring, alongside a 40% increase in AI/ML roles. Notably, overall fresher hiring growth was predominantly driven by non-IT industries.
Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri, noted that the 23% month-on-month growth demonstrates a meaningful recovery in IT and robust AI investment from Indian MNCs.
He stated, "The underlying momentum heading into the new fiscal year appears genuinely strong.”
Hiring in BPO/ITES rose by 48% YoY, insurance by 42%, retail by 39%, and hospitality by 39%. Fresh roles within the 20+ LPA bracket expanded by 30% YoY.
Professionals with 13–16 years of experience witnessed an impressive 50% growth.
Overall, Indian MNCs increased hiring by 24% YoY, with AI/ML roles seeing an astounding 82% growth compared to 43% growth among foreign MNCs.
Point of View
I find the recent 12% growth in India's white-collar job market a promising sign of recovery, particularly in sectors like IT and AI. This reflects not only the resilience of the job market but also the strategic investments being made by Indian MNCs. The upward trend suggests a solid foundation for future hiring, positioning India favorably in the global job landscape.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the YoY growth percentage for India's white-collar job market in February?
India's white-collar job market recorded a 12% year-on-year growth in February, increasing from 2,890 to 3,233.
Which sector experienced the highest growth?
The insurance sector led with a remarkable 28% growth in February.
What was the increase in fresher hiring?
Fresher hiring (0–3 years of experience) grew by 17% year-on-year.
How did AI/ML roles perform?
AI/ML roles experienced a significant 49% increase year-on-year.
What does the growth in the job market indicate?
The growth reflects a solid recovery in the job market and substantial investments in AI by Indian MNCs.
