Is White-Collar Hiring for Women and PwD Gaining Momentum in India?

New Delhi, June 5 (NationPress) With a 2 percent month-over-month (MoM) and a remarkable year-over-year (YoY) increase, white-collar hiring for women and persons with disabilities (PwD) in India demonstrates significant momentum, as per a report released on Thursday.

The analysis by the job platform foundit (formerly known as Monster APAC & ME) reveals that, over the last two years, diversity hiring in India has transitioned from a compliance-driven requirement to a pivotal workforce strategy, increasing by 53 percent.

The overall Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) category, which now encompasses LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, PwDs, and other underrepresented demographics, currently stands at 27 percent.

This year, the representation of women in diversity hiring rose from 53 percent to 68 percent, signifying a robust emphasis on gender inclusion. In parallel, hiring for persons with disabilities (PwD) increased from 2 percent to 5 percent, underscoring a growing commitment to inclusive talent acquisition.

Moreover, the report indicates that the consumer electronics sector spearheaded this surge, experiencing an impressive 70 percent YoY growth, while the logistics and transportation sector contributed to MoM gains with a 5 percent increase.

Senior management positions emerged as a focal point, registering the highest YoY growth at 36 percent, indicating strong leadership hiring trends.

Among various cities, Mumbai showcased the most significant YoY growth at 23 percent. These trends reflect increasing sector resilience, innovation, and a focused approach towards long-term, sustainable workforce development.

“The consistent growth in white-collar hiring mirrors India’s evolving economic landscape and the escalating demand for skilled professionals,” remarked Anupama Bhimrajka, VP of Marketing at foundit.

“From senior leadership to entry-level positions, industries are exhibiting resilience and adaptability, with metropolitan areas leading and tier-2 cities rapidly advancing. Encouragingly, diversity hiring has transformed into a strategic priority, with organizations integrating inclusion into core HR practices to foster meaningful representation for women, PwDs, and other marginalized groups,” Bhimrajka added.

The report highlighted that the IT software and services sector increased its share of diversity hiring from 19 percent to 23 percent, while the BFSI sector saw a decline from 30 percent to 21 percent over the past year.

Metropolitan areas continue to dominate women-centric hiring, driven by proactive initiatives in BFSI and IT leadership pipelines.

Mumbai and Pune lead the charge, offering structured return-to-work programs and implementing diversity quotas in mid-to-senior management roles.

Interestingly, tier-2 cities such as Coimbatore, Jaipur, and Chandigarh are swiftly catching up through targeted skill development programs and the establishment of women-led entrepreneurship zones, as noted in the report.