India’s White-Collar Job Market Ends Fiscal Year on a High Note with Non-IT and AI Hiring
Synopsis
The financial year concludes with India's white-collar job market thriving, marked by a 16% YOY increase in fresher hiring across various sectors. Discover the driving forces behind this growth, including significant advancements in non-IT and AI roles.
Key Takeaways
India's white-collar job market showed a 16% increase in fresh hiring YOY.
Non-IT sectors, especially hospitality, contributed significantly to this growth.
AI and ML roles demonstrated remarkable expansions, with growth rates exceeding 37% .
Kolkata outperformed other regions in AI/ML hiring.
The JobSpeak Index indicates a positive trend in job availability.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) India’s white-collar employment sector wrapped up the financial year on a robust note, with entry-level hiring witnessing a remarkable 16% year-on-year increase. This growth was notably spread across both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, according to a recent report.
The analysis from Naukri highlighted that non-IT industries were pivotal in driving job market growth, particularly in hospitality, which saw an impressive 21% YOY expansion. Following closely were BPO and ITES sectors at 18%, the oil and gas industry and education sectors both at 15%, and real estate at 14%.
The JobSpeak Index also reflected this trend, reaching 2,858 in March, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year.
“This solid performance confirmed an annual growth of over 8% for FY26, in stark contrast to the mere 2% growth recorded in FY25,” the report stated.
Moreover, hiring for fresh graduates in the salary range exceeding Rs 20 lakh per annum saw a significant 23% YOY growth.
While IT hiring remained static, roles in AI and machine learning experienced significant growth, climbing over 37% in March alone and surpassing 45% for the entire fiscal year.
Interest in talent earning above Rs 20 LPA expanded by over 16%. Hiring among unicorns also flourished, showcasing a notable 24% YOY increase.
AI/ML job opportunities surged over 37% YOY in March, although demand was predominantly concentrated on high-salary positions.
Regions exhibited varying growth, with Kolkata leading AI/ML recruitment at over 56% YOY growth, followed by Delhi NCR at 44%, both surpassing established tech cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Throughout FY26, non-IT sectors driven by services such as hospitality, education, and BPO/ITES demonstrated exceptional resilience.
aar/pk
Point of View
I observe that the growth in India's white-collar job market highlights a resilient economy. The impressive year-on-year increases in sectors like hospitality and AI demonstrate the adaptability and potential for future expansion, setting a positive tone for upcoming fiscal periods.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sectors are driving growth in India's job market?
The non-IT sectors, particularly hospitality, BPO/ITES, oil and gas, and education, are significantly driving growth in India's job market.
How much did fresh hiring increase in India?
Fresh hiring surged by 16% year-on-year.
What trends are observed in AI and ML hiring?
AI and machine learning roles experienced a remarkable growth of over 37% in March and over 45% for the fiscal year.
Which region led in AI/ML hiring?
Kolkata led AI/ML hiring with a YOY growth of over 56% .
What was the JobSpeak Index in March?
The JobSpeak Index reached 2,858 in March , reflecting a 9% increase year-on-year.
