The white-collar jobs market saw a 6% increase during October and November, fueled by significant growth in non-IT sectors in India. The Naukri JobSpeak Index revealed that industries like Oil and Gas, Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and Real Estate played a key role in this surge, along with emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
Non-IT Sectors Drive Recruitment
Non-IT industries outperformed the IT sector in hiring during the festive season. Key industries reported remarkable growth rates: Oil and Gas (+16%), Pharma/Biotech (+7%), FMCG (+7%), and Real Estate (+10%). The momentum extended to AI/ML, which saw an impressive 30% rise, and global capability centers (GCCs), which grew by 11%.
Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer of Naukri.com, stated, “The rise in non-IT fresher hiring is encouraging, especially for younger talent. This trend showcases the resilience of India’s job market.”
AI and ML Lead Technology Hiring
While traditional IT hiring slowed down, AI and ML saw a significant 20% year-on-year (YoY) growth. Cities like Kolkata and Delhi NCR led this trend, reporting hiring increases of 58% and 47%, respectively. These figures highlight the rising importance of AI and ML in shaping India’s technology landscape.
GCCs Evolve Beyond Back-Office Roles
Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are transitioning from operational support to innovation and strategy hubs. GCCs reported a 62% YoY growth in strategy and management consulting roles. This evolution positions GCCs as key drivers of business growth in India.
Emerging cities such as Ahmedabad (+17%), Kolkata (+16%), and Hyderabad (+11%) have become hotspots for GCC expansion. These cities attract investments and offer strong talent pools, contributing to growth in sectors like semiconductors/electronics (+17%) and accounting/finance (+25%).
Lifestyle Industries Show Strong Growth
Lifestyle industries also experienced notable growth. Beauty and personal care jobs increased by 18%, while fitness and wellness roles grew by 17%. These sectors’ performance reflects changing consumer preferences and market dynamics during the festive season.
India’s white-collar job market is evolving, with non-IT sectors and emerging industries driving recruitment. As fresher hiring expands across diverse domains, the job market offers promising opportunities for young talent and professionals alike. This growth trend highlights India’s adaptability to changing workforce needs and its potential for continued economic progress.
