White-Collar Recruitment in India Sees a 9% Rise in December, High Demand for AI and ML Roles

New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) White-collar recruitment activities have surged by 9% in December relative to the same timeframe last year, as detailed in a recent report.

Within the realm of white-collar jobs, positions requiring high skills and strategic importance were particularly sought after.

As per the findings from Naukri JobSpeak, the index climbed to 2,651 points in December 2024, demonstrating a robust annual increase of 9%.

In December's white-collar hiring, AI/ML roles experienced a remarkable increase of 36%, followed by oil and gas at 13%, FMCG at 12%, and healthcare also at 12%.

The report indicated that hiring for freshers slowed down throughout 2024; however, in December, there was a notable increase of 6%. The design sector saw a 39% rise in freshers' hiring, the beauty and wellness sector experienced 26%, and consumer durables recorded 19%.

Major metropolitan areas reported an impressive 10% increase in recruitment by year-end, the report highlighted.

Following the recruitment trends observed in October, southern India's performance remained robust in December, making a significant contribution to the rise in white-collar jobs.

Chennai and Bengaluru noted a recruitment surge of 35% and 21%, respectively.

Coimbatore experienced a 14% increase in freshers' recruitment, while Hyderabad reported a 15% rise in hiring. Additionally, recruitment by foreign multinational companies has surged by 52%.

Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.com, remarked that India's job market is entering 2025 with enthusiasm, driven by advancements in AI/ML and creative sectors.

“The swift growth in new hires and C-suite roles indicates a shift towards a more dynamic landscape. Traditional sectors like FMCG are adapting to this change, integrating new talent with strategic expertise,” he noted.