India's White-Collar Job Sector Concludes Fiscal Year on a High Note Driven by Non-IT and AI Roles
Synopsis
India's white-collar job market concludes the fiscal year with impressive growth, particularly in non-IT and AI sectors. With a 16% increase in fresher hiring, the report reveals significant trends in job demand across various industries.
Key Takeaways
16% surge in fresher hiring year-on-year.
Non-IT sectors driving job market expansion.
Hospitality sector showed 21% growth.
AI/ML roles grew by over 37% in March.
Significant demand in high-paying salary brackets.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) The financial year concluded robustly for India’s white-collar job sector, highlighted by a remarkable 16% year-on-year growth in fresher hiring. This expansion was evident in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions, according to a recent report.
According to Naukri's findings, non-IT industries played a pivotal role in this job market growth, with the hospitality sector leading at an impressive 21% year-on-year increase. Following closely were BPO or ITES at 18%, oil & gas and education sectors each at 15%, and real estate at 14%.
The JobSpeak Index reached 2,858 in March, marking a 9% year-on-year increase.
“This strong performance solidified an annual growth rate exceeding 8% for FY26, a significant rise from the mere 2% growth observed in FY25,” the report highlighted.
Moreover, hiring for fresh graduates in the salary range above Rs 20 lakh per annum witnessed an impressive 23% growth year-on-year.
While IT hiring remained stagnant, roles in AI and ML experienced a substantial surge, growing by over 37% in March and more than 45% throughout the entire fiscal year.
There was a notable demand for talent in the above-Rs 20 LPA salary bracket, which increased by over 16%. Unicorn companies also contributed positively, showing a remarkable 24% year-on-year growth.
AI/ML hiring surged over 37% year-on-year in March, although the demand was primarily skewed towards higher salary earners.
The steepest growth was observed at the top salary tiers, with employees earning over Rs 50 LPA experiencing over 55% growth, while those earning between Rs 40-49 LPA saw over 40% growth, and those in the Rs 30-39 LPA bracket experienced growth exceeding 41%.
Regionally, Kolkata led the charge in AI/ML hiring with more than 56% year-on-year growth, followed by Delhi NCR at over 44%, both surpassing established tech hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Service-oriented non-IT sectors, including hospitality, education, and BPO/ITES, demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout FY26.
aar/pk
Point of View
It is evident that the white-collar job market in India is not only recovering but thriving, particularly in non-IT sectors. The notable growth in AI and ML roles indicates a shift towards technology-driven hiring, which will likely shape the future employment landscape.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the overall growth in India's white-collar job market for FY26?
The overall growth for FY26 was over 8%, a significant increase from the 2% growth recorded in FY25.
Which sector showed the highest growth in hiring?
The hospitality sector exhibited the highest growth at 21% year-on-year.
How did AI and ML hiring perform in March?
AI and ML hiring experienced a sharp growth of over 37% in March.
What was the trend for freshers earning above Rs 20 lakh per annum?
Hiring for freshers in this salary bracket grew by an impressive 23% year-on-year.
Which region led in AI/ML hiring growth?
Kolkata led AI/ML hiring with over 56% year-on-year growth.
