India’s white-collar recruitment showed renewed vigour in February 2026, with hiring rising 12% year‑on‑year as firms accelerate digital transformation and adopt artificial intelligence. The Naukri JobSpeak Index climbed to 3,233 from 2,890 a year earlier, signalling broad‑based improvement across sectors.
AI adoption and IT sector recovery underpin hiring surge
Rapid deployment of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data‑analytics capabilities has become a primary driver of recruitment. Organisations across finance, healthcare, retail and other verticals are hiring specialists to build and operate AI‑driven products, automation pipelines and analytics platforms.
After a period of cautious hiring amid global economic uncertainty, the IT sector is showing signs of recovery. Recruitment in technology firms rose over 6% year‑on‑year, reflecting resumed expansion plans and renewed client demand for digital services.
Demand for AI and machine‑learning roles surged roughly 40%, underscoring how advanced technologies are being integrated into core business operations. Industry analysts expect continued hiring momentum as generative AI and automation projects move from pilot to scale.
Indian multinationals lead the gains
Domestic multinational companies emerged as major contributors to February’s growth, increasing hiring particularly for technology and digital roles. Indian MNCs reported a 55% rise in recruitment activity, highlighting their focus on building in‑house technology capabilities.
Hiring for AI and machine‑learning positions within Indian multinationals grew nearly 82% year‑on‑year, outpacing the 43% growth among foreign multinationals operating in India. The trend indicates heightened ambition among Indian tech firms to compete globally in emerging tech domains.
Freshers and high‑paying positions see stronger demand
Entry‑level hiring improved, with freshers’ hiring up 17% year‑on‑year and IT sector entry‑level recruitment rising 8%. Employers appear intent on rebuilding talent pipelines to support long‑term technology initiatives.
Simultaneously, demand for senior and specialised talent increased: vacancies offering annual pay of ₹20 lakh and above rose 23%. This reflects organisations’ willingness to pay for expertise that can accelerate innovation and business growth.
Non‑IT industries also expand recruitment
Beyond technology, several non‑IT sectors recorded substantial hiring growth. The insurance industry led with a 28% increase, followed by BPO and IT‑enabled services at 22%. Real estate, hospitality, travel and retail also posted double‑digit gains as consumer demand and business activity pick up.
These sectors attribute growth to expanding operations, higher service volumes and ongoing investments that are restoring workforce needs after pandemic‑era disruptions.
Outlook
The 12% uptick in February hiring reflects rising employer confidence and a strengthening labour market. With AI, automation and digitalisation central to corporate strategy, companies are likely to sustain investment in skilled talent. For job seekers, opportunities are widening across both technology and non‑technology domains as 2026 progresses.
